Parent reviews for Meet Me in St. Louis

Overall, a nice, if slightly boring and contrived, musical. Two scenes gave me some pause: at a party scene early in the film Judy Garland's character and her younger sister perform a dance with racist overtones and, as other reviewers have mentioned, the Halloween scene is bizarre and promotes bratty and downright brutish behavior from children (references are made to "killing" and "torturing" people on Halloween by throwing flour at them). I would only watch this with children mature enough to understand the concept of outdated racial stereotypes and inappropriate behavior from other children.

I certainly disagree that the song sung by two sisters at a party that another reader referred to is racist. A dialect is used in the song, but so what? People use an Irish, or a southern or a "New Yawk" dialect or accent in a film sometimes, but is that to be considered racist? Not in my world. Otherwise, this movie shows a family that truly love one another without being maudlin about it. That it's funny, poignant, and exciting is icing on the cake. As are the songs, each of which is like one of those tiny silver balls that placed on a cake's icing.

Judy Garland is a legend, and this iconic musical film allows her talents to shine through. It's sad, sure, but everything works out in the end. It perfectly captures the beauty, love, family, nostalgia and heartbreak that all come together during the Christmas season. The songs are endlessly catchy and the turn-of-the-century setting, lovingly designed and costumed in lush Technicolor, give the film an escapist note. Like many Old Hollywood classics, it looks at the distant past through rose-colored glasses, but that's what makes it so irresistible. You may want to discuss what life really was like back then. Little kids, however, may be too young to appreciate the historical context and Old Hollywood history behind this film, and may be completely hostile to watching an "old movie."

I love this film, it is down to earth and child friendly!!! The movie is wonderful!!! The music is fun as well!!!

While many think this movie to be a classic and a must watch, I strongly disagree. The female roles are very outdated and the women are so dependent on having a man or marriage in order to have a fulfilling or even satisfactory life. The music wasn't as impressive or engaging as I had hoped. The most interesting part of the movie is also one that might want parents of very young children to skip which is the Halloween night scene. We never knew how different the customs of Halloween were back then (1903), and clearly having kids talk of "killing" their neighbors (by throwing flour at them) and burning some of the neighbors possessions in the street was outright bizarre. We've come a long way from the customs in this movie, and nostalgic value or not, it's time to let this movie go and not recommend it as a "must see" or highly recommended as Common Sense reviewed it.

Ties into the time period of the Samantha~ American girl books. Family friendly nothing suggestive, just a great Family Classic. Follows 1 year in the life of a Close knit family. Two older daughters (late teens early 20's) 1 son (late teens/early 20's) sweet young/first stories love is a good chunk of the story line, A girl around 10, and another girl around 5. The parents, family servant and Grandfather. The possibility of having to Move to New York from St Louis is another good chunk of the plot, and it is the year of the World Fair. Story ends on a happy note with the Family staying in their home town. Musical with great songs! Judy Garland and Margaret O'Brien steal the show.

I have loved this movie since I was about 4 or 5 years old. This is one of the happiest movies ever made, and it stars one of my favorite people in the world, Judy Garland. And my, she looks and sounds beautiful in the film. She was at her best. I've heard people say they enjoy watching this around Christmas, and I can see why. The song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" was first introduced to the world in this film. If anyone were to introduce that classic, I'm glad it was Judy. All the other songs are magnificent, especially The Trolley Song! I've also always loved the Technicolor in this film. It's absolutely beautiful. This is such a fun, heartwarming, feel-good movie. Gather your family up around Christmas (or anytime, for that matter!) and watch this if you're looking for a good time.

Our six year old was a bit lost and therefore a bit bored. But the 11 year old liked it. She was interested b/c of Judy Garland/Wizard of Oz even though we had to pause and explain things a few times (why you couldn't go to the big Christmas Ball if you didn't have a tuxedo? what is a dance card?) Even so, there were some real high points -- feisty Judy Garland beating up the boy next door when she thinks he has mistreated her little sister, Judy singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." A good Christmas time movie for families.

Mostly appropriate for younger audiences but the Halloween sequences were exceptionally scary and bizarre. This raised the most questions for our children and why it should be viewed by a slightly older child audience. The women roles are also dated and very passive (requiring a man to have worth in life almost).

Great movie for the whole family. I loved this movie maybe more than my kids did (2 boys), but they still enjoyed it.