Meet Me in St. Louis

Meet Me in St. Louis, motion-picture musical about one family’s adventures in St. Louis, Missouri, at the beginning of the 20th century. Released in 1944, this nostalgic box-office hit was based on stories by Sally Benson. The four Smith daughters develop crushes, throw parties, and sing quite a few songs. When Mr. Smith (played by Leon Ames) gets a promotion, the family almost has to move to New York City. The whole family is relieved when he decides to turn down the promotion, and they celebrate by attending the 1904 World’s Fair. Margaret O’Brien won a Special Academy Award for her spunky performance as Tootie, the youngest daughter of the Smith family.

Director

• Vincente Minnelli

Cast

• Judy Garland (Esther Smith)
• Margaret O'Brien (Tootie Smith)
• Mary Astor (Mrs. Anne Smith)
• Lucille Bremer (Rose Smith)
• June Lockhart (Lucille Ballard)
• Tom Drake (John Truett)
• Marjorie Main (Katie)
• Harry Davenport (Grandpa)
• Leon Ames (Mr. Alonzo Smith)
• Hank Daniels (Lon Smith, Jr.)
• Joan Carroll (Agnes Smith)
• Hugh Marlowe (Colonel Darly)
• Robert Sully (Warren Sheffield)
• Chill Wills (Mr. Neely)
• Donald Curtis (Dr. Terry)
• Mary Jo Ellis (Ida Boothby)
• Ken Wilson (Quentin)
• Robert Emmett O'Connor (Motorman)
• Darryl Hickman (Johnny Tevis)
• Leonard Walker (Conductor)
• Victor Kilian (Baggage man)
• John Phipps (Mail deliverer)
• Sam Harris (Mr. March)
• Mayo Newhall (Mr. Braukoff)
• Belle Mitchell (Mrs. Braukoff)
• Sidney Barnes (Hugo Borvis)
• Myron Tobias (George)
• Victor Cox (Driver)
• Kenneth Donner (Clinton badger)
• Buddy Gorman (Clinton badger)
• Joe Cobbs (Clinton badger)
• Helen Gilbert (Girl on trolley)

Awards

• Special Academy Award for Outstanding Child Actress (1944): Margaret O’Brien

Trivia

• Judy Garland married director Vincente Minnelli shortly after this film’s release.

Quotes

• Esther Smith (taking pride in her hometown while attending the World’s Fair): “I can’t believe it. Right here where we live—right here in St. Louis.”