12 days of blogging: Day 8- Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

Meet Me in St. Louis was the second Judy Garland film I had ever seen and one of my favorites (though it wasn't until I bought Love Finds Andy Hardy on a whim that I was then hooked). This film came in one of the first box sets I ever bought, at the time I thought it was extortionate to pay £10 for a nine film magical musicals collection, but oh how that has changed and I am so glad I took the leap to part with my money for that set. It opened me up to a world of films that would captivate your soul. Anyway I have been trying to get my family hooked on the film for over a year but it is discouraging when you show your mum it for the second time and she insists she has no recollection of it. I guess it just didn't touch them as it did me, which is sad. Though this film doesn't revolve around Christmas it is shown and from this film came the birth of the song "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" so I though it qualified.

Synopsis
The rich Smith family have four daughters one of the daughters, 17 year old Esther (Judy Garland), has fallen in love with the boy next door (Tom Drake) though he doesn't seem to notice her at first. During this time her younger sister, Tootie (Margaret O'Brien), is causing mischief and being cute. When the father of the family has decided to take a new job opportunity in New York it the family turns chaotic as love-lives are turned upside down and tears are shed and even a snowman or two are killed. Mostly the family are worried whether they will miss the St. Louis fair of which they have eagerly awaited.


Facts

• "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was originally about war until Judy Garland refused to sing it to Margaret O'Brien because she thought it would upset her, so the lyrics were changed.
• Judy Garland met her future husband, director of the film,Vincente Minelli during this production.
• A lightning guy of the film intentionally dropped a heavy spotlight on Margaret O'Brien, narrowly missing her. He did this because His daughter had gotten the part after Margarets mother asked for more money though this was later changed and Margaret was then cast as Tootie, the lighting guy was actually institutionalized for a short period of time after this.
• The trolley song was apparently filmed in one take, though I find this hard to believe as they would usually do an extra take for safety.

Joan Fontaine's B-day!!!!!

Today is Joan Fontaine's birthday, I repeat it is Joan Fontaine's birthday on the 22nd of October !!!!!!!!! YAAAY. Oh and just wait till you find out the age of this living legend.....95 yes that is right 95, ninety-five years of age. She has lived for ninety-five years that is amazing that's is even longer than Mickey Rooney (who is 92). It must be amazing to have lived such an incredible and just be able to sit in a rocking chair thinking about the incredible life you have led. In honour of one of my favourite actresses I think that I shall review one of her films and because I have already reviewed Rebecca (which is just fabulous) I shall review Jane Eyre.

This is my favourite adaptation of Charlotte Brontes "Jane Eyre". It's an incredibly dark and sinister version of the novel, but what can you expect when Orson Welles is starring in it. This film was made in 1943 and starred Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles. I'm not going to do the plot just because the ending is not what you would expect and because it is one of the most celebrated books in history so if you don't know the plot then shame on you.

I really like this film because it is so sinister. The scenery is amazing and really creepy it is set in a dark and foggy moor this kinda sets the tone for the entire film because you know something serious is going to happen, and it won't end very well. Joan Fontaine is her flawless self in this production and so is Orson Welles who is ultimately playing a grumpy, misunderstood character which is completely out of the ordinary for him. This film also features a young Margaret O'Brian as Adele and I think she is just adorable as usual, she really lightens up the production making a few cute and cheery scenes among the misery. This film also features a young Elizabeth Taylor as Helen. Joan Fontaine's' performance in this film always reminds me of her character in Rebecca because they are both sweet, innocent and confused a lot of the time. They are both tormented by a woman as well.

A young Taylor being as cute as a button.

I rate Jane Eyre a ..............7.9 out of 10!!!!!!