On Nov. 22, 1944, a throng of St. Louis theatergoers packed Loew’s State Theater on Washington Avenue for the world premiere of “Meet Me in St. Louis.”
Although filmed elsewhere, the musical told the story of the Smith family as it struggled with the prospect of leaving St. Louis for New York in advance of the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.
Seventy years later, the film endures. Critic Roger Ebert once praised it as “one of the most artful, moving, and exquisitely designed musicals in film history.”
As part of the St. Louis International Film Festival, there will be a free screening of “Meet Me in St. Louis” at the Saint Louis Art Museum at noon Sunday.
Earlier this year, in celebration of St. Louis’ 250th anniversary, the Missouri History Museum hosted a sing-along screening of the film.
Amanda Honigfort captured this audio postcard:
If you missed the first sing-along, the Missouri History Museum will host another on Dec. 12.
Earlier this year, we discussed St. Louis’ film history — the movies filmed here, the famous native actors and the city’s historic movie theaters.
Related Events
St. Louis International Film Festival screening of "Meet Me in St. Louis"
- When: Noon Sunday, Nov. 22, 2014
- Where: Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis
- More information
Missouri History Museum hosts "Meet Me in St. Louis" sing-along screening
- When: 6 p.m. Dec. 12, 2014
- Where: Lee Auditorium, Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Boulevard, St. Louis
- More information
“Cityscape” is produced by Mary Edwards and Alex Heuer and sponsored in part by the Missouri Arts Council, the Regional Arts Commission, and the Arts and Education Council of Greater St. Louis.
