Many critics deem MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS the single finest Hollywood musical of the 20th Century. Produced by Arthur Freed, directed by Vincent Minnelli, and sporting a flawless ensemble cast led by Judy Garland, the film was immediately hailed when it debuted in 1944–and time has only added luster to its name. Now, after several home market incarnations, it at last receives the edition it deserves on DVD.
Given its stature, it is ironic that both MGM and Judy Garland originally fought the project. Based on a collection of autobiographical stories by Sally Benson, the script is microscopic more than a series of domestic adventures in the lives of the Smith family of 1903 St. Louis. But it became a thing of wonder: a careful balance of sly but gentle humor, a collection of memorable performances, an understated net shorn of the usual movie-musical affectations, and at the center of it all Judy Garland, one of Hollywood’s most memorable talents.
The transfer is agreeable, capturing every nuance of the film’s meticulously and beautifully designed sets in plump Technicolor; the sound elements, remastered in Dolby 5.1, are equally stunning and Garland’s current vocal skills are undimmed by time. All in all, it seems genuine to say that not even the novel 1944 theatrical release could surpass the quality of represent and sound offered here.
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Although the bonus package would have better without the unpleasant pilot for a failed television series based on the film, by and stout it offers a good collection. Previously available on VHS, the Roddy McDowell-narrated “making of” documentary is worth revisiting, as is the TCM-produced “Becoming Attractions.” While a number of later documentaries surpass it, “Hollywood: The Dream Factory” has never before been widely available and offers an inside spy of the famed 1972 MGM auction. The Martins’ performance of “Skip to My Lou” a reconstruction of “Boys and Girls Like You and Me,” and a collection of Vincent Minnelli movie trailers round out the offerings, all of them racy.
The necessary audio commentary is led by film historian and Garland scholar John Fricke. I regret to say that I have several issues with Fricke, who seems to rely excessively on Vincent Minnelli’s autobiography I REMEMBER IT WELL and who has a tendency to perpetuate distinct myths about the film–chief among them the conception that Garland did “The Trolley Song” in a single seize. (Garland prerecorded the song, the overall sequence involves at least seven unusual camera set-ups, and although Garland performs most of the solo in a single recall there is a change in camera set-up toward the extinguish of her vocal.) Even so, Fricke offers worthy insight into the cast, crew, and production of MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, and the commentary is laced with remarks (some of them archival) by the likes of Margaret O’Brien, Hugh Martin, and Irving Brecher; in spite of my occasional misgivings, it really is everything one could wish an audio commentary to be.
These aside, the bonus package contains one well-known and fresh prize: the short film “Bubbles” and a essential audio commentary led by Hollywood and Garland historian John Fricke. Long idea lost, “Bubbles” is one of several shorts made in the early 1930s that include The Gumm Sisters, the youngest of whom would become better known as Judy Garland–a right rarity indeed.
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Given the beauty of the transfer and the generally exceptional bonus package, it is difficult to imagine a better edition of this uniquely American classic. I strongly recommend it.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Judy Garland gives one of her finest performances in the delicious period musical MEET ME IN ST LOUIS, peaceful one of the best-loved movies of all time.
Esther Smith (Garland) is in appreciate with “The Boy Next Door”, and when she discovers that the Worlds Comely is coming to her town, everyone in St Louis is thrilled.
Her enchantment only grows when she discovers the feeling of appreciate is mutual, but when her father announces that the family is spirited to Recent York, the romance could be finished before it even began…
Margaret O’Brien steals every scene she’s in as Esther’s cramped sister Tootie, while the supporting cast, led by Lucille Bremer, Mary Astor and Leon Ames is kindly.
Initially more celebrated at the box-office than THE WIZARD OF OZ, the evergreen MEET ME IN ST LOUIS continues to be loved by generations of movie-lovers.
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