Post by lora on Nov 24, 2003 11:42:29 GMT -5
I just had the perfect post, and I accidentally deleted it all...So I have to start again from scratch. Wonderful. I guess it's a good thing I have a good memory when it comes to Judy.
I know you're all probably burnt out on the two artists I talk about the most on here: Bette Midler and Judy Garland. Well, get over it.
I'm going to be talking about them a lot more, especially Judy. She's perfect for this feature because she made so many great musical films over the span of her career. I know many of you are fans of The Wizard of Oz, but first I wanted to go with my favorite Judy movie...
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
Directed By: Vincente Minnelli
Screenplay By: Irving Brecher and Fred F. Finklehoffe, based on the novel by Sally Benson
Produced By: Arthur Freed
Original Music By: Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin
Cinematography By: George J. Folsey
Starring:
Esther Smith...Judy Garland
Tootie Smith...Margaret O'Brien
Anna Smith...Mary Astor
Rose Smith...Lucille Bremer
Alonzo Smith...Leon Ames
John Truitt...Tom Drake
Katie, the maid...Marjorie Main
Synopsis, from the back of the box (I'm a cheater):
"Meet Me in St. Louis," sings Judy Garland, and that's an invitation movie fans hearitly accpet. In a role that was one of her favorites, the 22-year-old star headlines this warm turn-of-the-century delight.
The enduring popularity of this terrific blend of nostalgia and bright humor proves that quality storytelling and filmmaking (Vincente Minnelli) never go out of style. The sets are eye-pleasing marvels of design, the camera glides effortlessly within them and Garland has perhaps never been more winning as she pines for The Boy Next Door, comforts seven-year-old Margaret O'Brien (awarded a special Oscar® as 1944's outstanding child actress) with Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and whisks along to the clang-clang of The Trolley Song. Clang-clang, ding-ding, zing-zing: don't miss it!
My Comments:
At the heart of Meet Me in St. Louis is the story of a family. Alonzo Smith is a distinguished lawyer who is offered a partnership in his firm. The only glitch is the family must move to New York. Anna is more than willing to follow her husband wherever he goes, but the children have different ideas. Oldest child Lon is off to Princeton, Rose plans to head off to college herself, and youngest children Agnes and Tootie don't want to leave the only home they've ever known. And Esther? Why, she's fallen in love with "The Boy Next Door"...
This film was a turning point in Judy's career. She went from being MGM's ugly duckling child singer to being its gorgeous, talented adult star. Many people (including Judy herself) have credited Vincente Minnelli with being the man behind this amazing transformation. He was the first director to make Judy look beautiful onscreen, allowing the public to realize that she wasn't just a kid with good pitch. She was a bona fide superstar (and moneymaker) for the studio. And Vincente's love affair with Judy went from onscreen to off throughout production of the film. The two married in 1945 (divorced in '51) and daughter Liza was soon born, left with a double legacy that she's done a damn good job living up too.
Judy isn't the only beautiful thing in this movie. From the stunning sets to the exquisite costumes, the entire film is a visual treat from beginning to end. Equally pleasing is the music. There's the endearing duet of "Under the Bamboo Tree" between Esther and Tootie, the Smith parents' hearfelt "You and I", and less-remembered tunes (the impromptu serenade "Over the Banister"). FYI, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was originally written for this film, and no holiday season is complete without Judy's version. Trust me, I know.
The movie also has some great lines. Here's my favorite:
"Rose, I've decided something. I'm going to let John Truitt kiss me tonight."
"Esther Smith!"
"Well, if we're going to get married I may as well start it."
"Nice girls don't let men kiss them until after they're engaged. Men don't want the bloom rubbed off."
"Personally, I think I have to much bloom. Maybe that's the trouble with me."
Opinions?
I know you're all probably burnt out on the two artists I talk about the most on here: Bette Midler and Judy Garland. Well, get over it.
I'm going to be talking about them a lot more, especially Judy. She's perfect for this feature because she made so many great musical films over the span of her career. I know many of you are fans of The Wizard of Oz, but first I wanted to go with my favorite Judy movie...Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
Directed By: Vincente Minnelli
Screenplay By: Irving Brecher and Fred F. Finklehoffe, based on the novel by Sally Benson
Produced By: Arthur Freed
Original Music By: Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin
Cinematography By: George J. Folsey
Starring:
Esther Smith...Judy Garland
Tootie Smith...Margaret O'Brien
Anna Smith...Mary Astor
Rose Smith...Lucille Bremer
Alonzo Smith...Leon Ames
John Truitt...Tom Drake
Katie, the maid...Marjorie Main
Synopsis, from the back of the box (I'm a cheater):
"Meet Me in St. Louis," sings Judy Garland, and that's an invitation movie fans hearitly accpet. In a role that was one of her favorites, the 22-year-old star headlines this warm turn-of-the-century delight.
The enduring popularity of this terrific blend of nostalgia and bright humor proves that quality storytelling and filmmaking (Vincente Minnelli) never go out of style. The sets are eye-pleasing marvels of design, the camera glides effortlessly within them and Garland has perhaps never been more winning as she pines for The Boy Next Door, comforts seven-year-old Margaret O'Brien (awarded a special Oscar® as 1944's outstanding child actress) with Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and whisks along to the clang-clang of The Trolley Song. Clang-clang, ding-ding, zing-zing: don't miss it!
My Comments:
At the heart of Meet Me in St. Louis is the story of a family. Alonzo Smith is a distinguished lawyer who is offered a partnership in his firm. The only glitch is the family must move to New York. Anna is more than willing to follow her husband wherever he goes, but the children have different ideas. Oldest child Lon is off to Princeton, Rose plans to head off to college herself, and youngest children Agnes and Tootie don't want to leave the only home they've ever known. And Esther? Why, she's fallen in love with "The Boy Next Door"...
This film was a turning point in Judy's career. She went from being MGM's ugly duckling child singer to being its gorgeous, talented adult star. Many people (including Judy herself) have credited Vincente Minnelli with being the man behind this amazing transformation. He was the first director to make Judy look beautiful onscreen, allowing the public to realize that she wasn't just a kid with good pitch. She was a bona fide superstar (and moneymaker) for the studio. And Vincente's love affair with Judy went from onscreen to off throughout production of the film. The two married in 1945 (divorced in '51) and daughter Liza was soon born, left with a double legacy that she's done a damn good job living up too.
Judy isn't the only beautiful thing in this movie. From the stunning sets to the exquisite costumes, the entire film is a visual treat from beginning to end. Equally pleasing is the music. There's the endearing duet of "Under the Bamboo Tree" between Esther and Tootie, the Smith parents' hearfelt "You and I", and less-remembered tunes (the impromptu serenade "Over the Banister"). FYI, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was originally written for this film, and no holiday season is complete without Judy's version. Trust me, I know.
The movie also has some great lines. Here's my favorite:
"Rose, I've decided something. I'm going to let John Truitt kiss me tonight."
"Esther Smith!"
"Well, if we're going to get married I may as well start it."
"Nice girls don't let men kiss them until after they're engaged. Men don't want the bloom rubbed off."
"Personally, I think I have to much bloom. Maybe that's the trouble with me."
Opinions?
