Meet Me In St. Louis...a Halloween Movie
Or Why You Should Watch Old Movies with your Kids
The title of this piece is meant to provoke, although one of my personal favorite scenes in the movie is when Tootie and Agnus go running around their neighborhood dressed as hoodlums, throwing flour in the faces of innocent neighbors! But for those not in the know, Meet Me In St. Louis debuted in 1944 and was a box-office smash, grossing more money than any prior MGM release in 20 years, with the exception of Gone With The Wind (1939).1 It follows the well-to-do Smith family of St. Louis, MO in the year leading up to the 1904 World’s Fair, showcasing the drama that unfolds within their household of four daughters.
"Meet Me in St. Louis" has made appearances in other films, often attempting to hijack the sentimentality and emotional depth it so expertly presents. In stark contrast to its heartfelt exploration of family, love, and the bittersweet nature of growing up, many films that reference it lean toward nihilism or superficiality. Two films I particularly loathe, The Family Stone and the equally reprehensible Sex and the City Movie, exemplify this. The former desperately tries to portray a family filled with warmth and connection but ultimately falls short, while the latter prioritizes materialism. Interestingly, both films feature Sarah Jessica Parker. (I literally just realized this) The appropriation of scenes from “Meet Me In St. Louis” only confirms how beloved and eternal it remains in the minds of those who know it!
It continues to be a cherished favorite in my family. I remember watching it for the first time at my grandmother’s house when I was around five or six years old, and I’ve seen it countless times since. Last Christmas, I introduced it to my own children at my grandparents' house during what turned out to be our last Christmas there. At first, it was just my two little girls on the sofa watching Esther and Rose Smith at the height of a St. Louis summer as the movie opens. But, as I anticipated, family members trickled in, perching on sofa arms, curling up on the floor, or squeezing in beside cousins and aunts until a large portion of the twenty cousins and a dozen aunts and uncles were watching as Judy Garland and a young Margaret O’Brien sang "Under the Bamboo Tree" as they had so many times before.
As almost anyone will tell you, "Meet Me in St. Louis" qualifies as a genuine Christmas movie. Who can help but sob quietly as Judy Garland, playing Esther Smith, sings "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas?"2 The characters possess a depth that children can grasp, while adults can delight in the nuances. Kids see the teasing and fighting between siblings and relate, but they also witness the underlying love and loyalty that binds the family together. Esther’s struggle to leave childhood behind, grappling with change and uncertainty, resonates deeply. Our children feel her emotions as she realizes that family, traditions and love can ease the discomfort and fear of growing up, even if they cannot rid us of that discomfort altogether.
Beyond its rich themes and lessons, the film is simply a delightful viewing experience. The beautiful costumes, fun songs, and the unimaginable talent of Judy Garland shine brighter than many modern films. Last Christmas, as my children and extended family watched "Meet Me in St. Louis" one last time in my grandmother’s family room, I vowed to make watching old movies filled with universal truths a new tradition for my own family. That’s why this Halloween, we’re sitting down to watch it—because I can’t wait until Christmas!
What are your favorite old movies to watch with your children? Any special traditions surrounding these films?
“Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” was written for the movie. And according to wikipedia, the lyrics were changed as Ms. Garland’s request because they were too depressing and she didn’t want to make a little Margaret O’Brien cry and think her horrible.
Good job, Ms. Hargraves!
Very nicely written Whitney, great memories!