How many times in our lives have our elders told us about “the good old days?” Or how about the phrase from our grandparents starting off with the words… “I remember when…” Cue the rolling of eyes, shifting feet, and a big sigh. These are always tough moments. How does anyone know for sure these are the best days while being immersed deep within them every single day? It would be impossible to have that abundance of hindsight growing up.
We all want to try to live our best lives. Every generation wants to be great and remembered. It really is impossible to “go back.” What’s done is done. You can’t cry over spilled milk or try to put it back in the bottle. Discoveries, new innovations, and inventions cannot be unlearned or erased. Humanity is meant to continually progress and move forward using what we have learned. This includes our mistakes and hiccups. We actually get better by incorporating everything together. Is this a perfect system? Hell, no, but it is all we have that binds us together as a species. Our brains are innately wired to think about two fabulous words…what if? And then, off we go.
There are really only a couple of ways to be able to “go back.” The movies and the power of the written word can take humans to any place or period through the art of storytelling. How marvelous to witness and be a part of the past while growing up in the present. It boggles the brain. Even though films are released in every decade, they can still share what life was like, for example, 1904. My dad would have been four years old. Maybe he experienced what the five children did in MGM’s magical movie, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS. Maybe he built snow people and threw flour on neighbors’ faces during Halloween. Maybe he got to ride in an ice truck and on trolleys. I bet he thought it was an awesome time to be a kid too.
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS was based on Sally Brenden’s autobiographical novel. Many of the Smith family’s experiences were also a part of Sally’s past. The film was a huge success initiating the studio’s golden years of musicals. It was even awarded a golden juvenile statue for Outstanding Child Actress to Margaret O’Brien and six other nominations, including Best Music for the TROLLEY SONG. The brilliant star Judy Garland played Esther Smith and sang that number in only one take. Amazing.
Garland was 21 when she was forced to make this movie. She didn’t want to portray another teenager going through the angst and emotional upheaval of young love. In the beginning, she also did not like the director, Vincente Minnelli. They clashed because of the number of times Minnelli made Garland rehearse a scene and redo takes. She changed her mind when she realized how attentive he was to details. She appreciated how honest and specific he wanted to share the landscape of St. Louis, the World’s Fair, the costumes and sets. She loved how beautiful he made her look in each scene, framing her with drapes and windows as if creating a portrait. Garland said later in life, it was the first time she thought of herself as beautiful. Minnelli and Garland were married within a year. MMISL was always Liza Minnelli’s favorite film because it was when her parents first fell in love.
The entire ensemble of MMISL was strong and great fun to watch. It included Mary Astor, Leon Ames, Lucille Bremer, Marjorie Main, and a very young June Lockhart. They were the backbone and foundation of this family, just trying to find where they belonged at the turn of the century. In the end, the closeness and entwining binds of family kept all of them moving forward to a better tomorrow. Love is always the key.
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS has been one of my favorite, family, comedy, musical classics. It whisks audiences away to a simpler, slower lifestyle, one that is on the cusp of exploding. It boasts big dance numbers and then intimately draws viewers back to the haunting lyrics of HAVE YOURSELF A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. It brings tears to my eyes because it restates how important it is to stay in the moment and find your joy there. My dad was born on Christmas Day. I bet he would have had much to be thankful for, no matter what holiday was celebrated. Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas to all.
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS is available on MAX.
