Meet Me in St Louis

Judy Garland ... Esther Smith

Margaret O'Brien ... 'Tootie' Smith

Mary Astor ... Mrs. Anna Smith

Lucille Bremer ... Rose Smith

Leon Ames ... Mr. Alonzo Smith

Tom Drake ... John Truett

Marjorie Main ... Katie - Maid

Harry Davenport ... Grandpa

June Lockhart ... Lucille Ballard

Henry H. Daniels Jr. ... Lon Smith Jr.

Joan Carroll ... Agnes Smith

If you didn't already notice from my profile... I LOVE classic movies! There is something about that is so much more fantastical and romantic then most modern movies. I have a serious case of hopeless romantic.

The other night I watched one of my all time favorites...Meet Me in St Louis. When I was younger, to the annoyance of my older sister, I was obsessed with this movie. I am pretty sure I watched it at least once a day for the better part of a year!

For those of you that are unfamiliar with the movie, it is the story focuses on a middle class family (The Smiths) that live in St. Louis right at the turn of the century. The whole town is a buzz with the upcoming opening of the World's Fair, and the family faces the emotional possibility of having to move from their beloved St. Louis. Judy Garland plays Esther, a heart sore 17 year old that is in love with John Truett (a young, dreamy Tom Drake) or as the song puts it The Boy Next-door. A brilliant cast, amazing story and an orchestration of beautiful emotion and song!

Often times when I watch this movie I place myself in Esther Smiths shoes. She is in love with a boy that, at first, doesn't even know that she exists...and when they do meet, she does all she can to create opportunity for him to make a move, but he tends to mess up any romantic situations. I can't help but feel her pain, growing up with a fairytale fantasy of how a romance should pan out, and in any attempt to create this fantasy life feels and usually IS completely futile! Yet every time I watch this movie I am swept away in future prospects of romance! I long to be noticed and carried away...OK now I just sound cheesy! But it's true...many, well most girls want, not only to be noticed but, to be swept away, to be loved and cared for by a tall, dark and handsome man (well, that's my type a guy;)) It's the want and need to feel the approval from a man. It's part of our little womanly curse!

"...Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you."

Genesis 3:16b

Yeah, so if you haven't guessed I am not an overly liberal woman. Yes, I think that women should be their own person and even have an awesome career...that is not what I am talking about! No matter how independent a woman is... her emotions are wired this way! This is a "Man's World", yes we are equal in brilliance and thought but face it ladies...God made us the gentler sex. As a very free thinking, independent, single woman in 2009, this can be a constant struggle because it is not in some of us to come off as the helpless damsel in distress! But if you are anything like me... you don't want to wear the pants in a relationship... a man needs to be a MAN!! This actually gives you a chance to feel girly and not like you have to be the domineering, decisive one!

One of my favorite scenes in that movie is when Esther comes to John's porch to apologize for the previous scene, when she attempted to beat him up for supposedly hitting her little sister Trudy. Of course He didn't do anything of the sort...Trudy fibbed to get out of trouble. But anyhow Esther apologizes, and proceeds to leave but John tries to make up an excuse for her to stay a moment more...and just as she is sadly about to leave... he grabs her by the arms and kisses her! Shocked in the best way, she looks at him and says "You know you have an awful strong grip...for a boy!" smiles, but still flustered runs back to her house!

The moment is priceless in one instant, caught up in strength and love!! ~sigh~ Sounds great!!! Sadly I have yet to meet my John Truett, but I do think that he is out there!! I am not the most patient person in the world but I know he is worth the wait!!