Meet Me In St. Louis - a Treasured Film Classic with Beautiful Christmas Scenes!

Available on DVD

MOVIE REVIEW

Meet Me In St. Louis - Original Air Date: 1944

*Movie Musical starring Judy Garland and Margaret O'Brien!

If you are searching for a timeless movie treasure, then take an excursion back in time to Meet Me in St. Louis!


See my Movie Review below...

 

 

CAST:

Judy Garland ... Esther Smith
Margaret O'Brien ... 'Tootie' Smith
Mary Astor ... Mrs. Anna Smith
Leon Ames ... Mr. Alonzo Smith
Lucille Bremer ... Rose Smith
Henry H. Daniels Jr. ... Lon Smith Jr.
Joan Carroll ... Agnes Smith
Tom Drake ... John Truett
Marjorie Main ... Katie (Maid)
Harry Davenport ... Grandpa
June Lockhart ... Lucille Ballard
Robert Sully ... Warren Sheffield
Hugh Marlowe ... Colonel Darly
Chill Wills ... Mr. Neely

PLOT:

Brief Synopsis via TCM:

Young love and childish fears highlight a year in the life of a turn-of-the-century family.

My Movie Review:

If you are searching for a timeless movie treasure, then take an excursion back in time to 'Meet Me in St. Louis'...

By far, one of the best musicals ever maid! Judy Garland sings "The Boy Next Door", "The Trolley Song", and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," still a Christmas standard favorite all these years later! All three songs are absolutely beautiful and a joy to watch! There are also wonderful dancing scenes, as well. At one point everyone at Lon's going away party is dancing to "Skip to my Lou" and then later, Esther's little sister, Tootie, talks her into doing a special song and dance number with her.

'Meet Me in St. Louis' is such a sweet story about the everyday life, in one year, of the Smith family, which consists of their father, Alonzo (a prominent attorney), their mother, Anna, grandpa, one son, Lon (who is the eldest and goes to college), and 4 daughters: Rose, Esther (Judy Garland), Agnus, and Tootie, who is the youngest and quite spirited.

This wonderful family film centers around the excitement of the Smith family just as the World's Fair will be coming to their hometown of St. Louis. Everything is tranquil and ideal in their little world until the day when Alonzo (the father) announces they will be moving to New York. At first, the family is not thrilled with this idea. Esther has just recently caught the eye of the "boy next door" and doesn't want to leave and everyone else is also attached to their home, friends, community, and simple way of life. The family, however, eventually comes around, and is supportive, yet still very sad, that they will have to leave their friends and home. Their father promises them that at least they will come back for the fair, maybe.

Near the end of the movie, there is a touching Christmas scene that is beautiful and sure to warm your heart!

'Meet Me in St. Louis' is as wholesome and American as Apple Pie. It's purity and sweetness is why I love it so much; it may also be the reason why it has reached the hearts of generation after generation.

When to watch 'Meet Me In St. Louis' on TCM:

*December 4, 2021 at 3:30pm/2:30c.

*December 21, 2021 at 8pm/7c.

*December 24, 2021 at 6pm/5c.

See or Skip? :

See! Perfect for a Family Movie Night - any season of the year!

Meet Me in St. Louis is available on DVD.

New and Classic Christmas Movies airing on TV this Weekend!!!

Happy first weekend of December, dear friends! This Friday through Sunday I am sharing 10 All New Christmas TV Movie Premieres, plus the beloved classics: It's a Wonderful Life, Meet Me in St. Louis, It Happened on 5th Avenue and more!

See all the details below...


Friday, December 3, 2021:

Eight Gifts of Hanukkah

A woman journeys to find her secret admirer during Hanukkah.

Eight Gifts of Hanukkah

Premieres Friday, December 3, 2021

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel

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Friday, December 3, 2021:

A Christmas Dance Reunion

Successful attorney Lucy Mortimer (Coleman), along with her mother Virginia (Roberts) returns to the Winterleigh Resort to help celebrate the hotel's final Christmas season. Once there, Lucy is reunited with the owner's nephew and her childhood Christmas Dance partner, Barrett Brewster (Bleu). Though the resort has fallen on hard times and has stopped most holiday events, Lucy leads the charge in recreating the beloved Christmas traditions, including the popular Christmas Dance, to bring together new families and new hope to the resort. Now, Lucy must decide if she's willing to take a risk on love and partner up once more with Barrett for what could be the last Christmas Dance.

A Christmas Dance Reunion

Premieres Friday, December 3, 2021

at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime

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Saturday, December 4, 2021:

Christmas Beneath the Stars

Christmas blogger and aspiring photographer Hannah Reed just got the assignment of a lifetime; visit a charming town and Christmas wonderland called Christmas World in Alaska which will allow her to photograph the Northern Lights and maybe finally get published in her favorite nature magazine. With her Christmas loving Aunt Lucy in tow, Hannah arrives in Christmas World expecting magic and instead is greeted by a sadly decorated town on its last leg. Desperate to get the photographs she needs, Hannah strikes a deal with the heir apparent of Christmas World in exchange for a locals insight into the best places to photograph the lights. The two set out to turn Christmas World around, but will they find something even more magical along the way?

Christmas Beneath the Stars

Premieres Saturday, December 4, 2021

at 7pm/6c. on UPtv

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Saturday, December 4, 2021:

A Very Merry Bridesmaid

Leah's 30th birthday is on Christmas Eve, the same day as her brother's wedding. Her childhood crush is back in town for the wedding and he is determined to make sure her birthday does not go by the wayside.

A Very Merry Bridesmaid

Premieres Saturday, December 4, 2021

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel

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Saturday, December 4, 2021:

Jingle Bell Princess

Through a series of mishaps, sophisticated Princess Amelia is stranded in the small town of Tucker, Maine. There she becomes an “ordinary” guest of the unsuspecting Cutler family.

Jingle Bell Princess

Premieres Saturday, December 4, 2021

at 8pm/7c. on GAC Family

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Saturday, December 4, 2021:

Kirk Franklin's A Gospel Christmas

When Olivia (McKinney), a young assistant pastor, gets assigned to be a lead pastor at a new church a month before Christmas, she's fearful she can't manage the transition, including getting the choir ready to open the town's annual Winter Jamboree. Banding together with her new congregation, Olivia discovers a new home for herself, and even finds a little Christmas romance along the way! Featuring a special appearance and songs written and arranged by Kirk Franklin.

Kirk Franklin's A Gospel Christmas

Premieres Saturday, December 4, 2021

at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime

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Saturday, December 4, 2021:

Our Christmas Journey

A single mom and her teenaged son with autism come to a crossroads during Christmas. She must learn to let go so he can flourish as she finds her own heart healing in unexpected ways.

Our Christmas Journey

Premieres Saturday, December 4, 2021

at 10pm/9c. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

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Sunday, December 5, 2021:

A Furry Little Christmas

A big-city veterinarian falls for a small-town doctor when he sets out to recreate a New York City Christmas in her Vermont hometown.

A Furry Little Christmas

Premieres Sunday, December 5, 2021

at 7pm/6c. on UPtv

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Sunday, December 5, 2021:

Small Town Christmas

Hosted and Executive Produced by Inside Edition’s national correspondent and best-selling Author Megan Alexander, each episode takes viewers to a different small town around the country. Through food, drink, music, entertainment and faith, we will highlight local businesses and towns that are making Christmas special in their own unique way.

Small Town Christmas: Branson, Mo.

Premieres Sunday, December 5, 2021

at 9pm/8c. on UPtv

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Sunday, December 5, 2021:

A Lot Like Christmas

In “A Lot Like Christmas,” Jessica Roberts (Lawson) owns the most popular Christmas Tree lot in the picturesque New England town of Hudson Springs. But when big-city marketing executive, Clay Moore (Russel) moves a “Big Box” store into the area and starts selling trees, Jasmine finds her business in jeopardy. As their professional competition escalates, Jasmine and Clay run into another complication – they start falling for each other.

A Lot Like Christmas

Premieres Sunday, December 5, 2021

at 8pm/7c. on GAC Family

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Sunday, December 5, 2021:

My Favorite Christmas Melody

Once a promising singer-songwriter, Abby (Mýa) now finds herself writing uninspired jingles for commercials. As she heads home for the holidays, she's enlisted by the local high school music teacher to help save the school arts program. In the process, Abby rediscovers her voice and regains the confidence to go after her dreams — and lets the possibility of love in too.

 

My Favorite Christmas Melody

Premieres Sunday, December 5, 2021

at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime

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I saved the best for last...

CHRISTMAS CLASSICS:

It's a Wonderful Life

NBC - Sat, 12/04, 8:00 PM

Meet Me in St. Louis

TCM - Sat, 12/04, 3:30 PM

It Happened on 5th Avenue

TCM - Sat, 12/04, 5:45 PM

Love Finds Andy Hardy

TCM - Sun, 12/05, 12:00 PM

The Bishop's Wife

TCM - Sun, 12/05, 6:00 PM

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

Freeform - Sat, 12/04, 6:05 PM

Sun, 12/05, 3:55 PM

Frosty the Snowman

Freeform - Sat, 12/04, 7:10 PM

Sun, 12/05, 5:00 PM

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Freeform - Sat, 12/04, 7:45 PM

Sun, 12/05, 5:35 PM

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So... how has your week been? I've been busy with my family and doing all sorts of preparations for Christmas. Our weather is so nice, with temps in the 50's to almost 60's during the day and 40's at nights. I can hardly believe it, but since it is so nice, we have a home renovation project coming up this weekend. I'm praying that it all goes smoothly and the guys coming to work will be safe and get the job done efficiently, but quickly, too. Hopefully, between all the hammering, I'll be able to watch a movie or two. Not sure how that will go, but we'll see!

*Please note- I have NOT pre-screened these NEW Christmas movies listed above. If you happen to watch one of the NEW Christmas movies this week and want to share whether or not it is a family friendly movie, please stop back by and leave a review.

You may have noticed, I did not share 2 new movies premiering this weekend above. The first movie is the Hallmark Channel movie - Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday. The second movie in the series, Sister Swap: Christmas in the City, includes a same sex couple. Based on this content and my personal values according to my faith, I have decided not to share either film. The other movie I did not share above is the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries movie Every Time a Bell a Rings. This movie previously premiered on the Hallmark Movies Now streaming source, and I want to inform you this movie will also contain the same sort of content. Thank you, Rebecca and Janet, for sharing this information with us. You can read their reviews - here.

By the way, if you share a movie review this weekend or sometime in December, please know, I will do my best to get it up on the site quickly for others to see. I may not be able to respond to every comment/review, but I am truly grateful and I know many, MANY others are, too!

See the 2021 Christmas Movie Review page - *here*!

You can also check out the Christmas TV Movie Schedule - *here*, which includes NEW Christmas Movie Premieres.

God's Blessings and Merry Christmas, Everyone! Net

SHINING HIS LIGHT:

“The true light, which gives light to everyone,

was coming into the world.

He was in the world,

and the world was made through Him…”

– John 1:9-10

Hallmark Channel Announces: "New Year New Movies" for January, 2022 - SEE HERE:

PRESS RELEASE - CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS:

Hallmark Channel Announces

"New Year New Movies"

For 2022 In The Month Of January

Five All-New Movies Debut

as Part of the Network's

January Programming Event on Hallmark Channel

An All-New Movie Premieres on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

STUDIO CITY, Calif., Nov. 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Year kicks off with Hallmark Channel's – New Year New Movies! – starting January 1st, every Saturday will celebrate fresh starts and new beginnings. As part of the TV event, Hallmark Channel unveils five movie premieres: "The Perfect Pairing," "Wedding Veil," "Love is Trending," "Butlers in Love," and "Romancing the Birthday Girl." On Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, an all-new movie premiere with "North to Home."


PREMIERING ON HALLMARK CHANNEL:


'THE PERFECT PAIRING'
All-New Hallmark Original
Saturday, January 1 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Nazneen Contractor, Brennan Elliott

Influential and anonymous food and wine critic Christina finds herself at a winery she panned in the past. She hopes to leave before anyone finds out who she is, but she instead slips on ice and hits her head. The Hollingbrook family, led by single father Michael graciously takes Christina in while she recovers and tries to jog her memory. In the process, Christina helps the Hollingbrooks prepare for their annual wine tapping party, which includes Michael's risky passion project, ice wine.


'WEDDING VEIL' (WT)
All-New Hallmark Original
Saturday, January 8 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Lacey Chabert, Kevin McGarry, Autumn Reeser, Alison Sweeney

The first installment of an enchanting new trilogy starring three of Hallmark's most beloved leading ladies as longtime college friends who discover a mysterious, antique veil fabled to unite its bearer with her true love. After discovering a long-lost painting, museum curator Avery and successful, new board member Peter investigate the artwork's origins as they plan a charity fundraiser to unveil its restoration.


'LOVE IS TRENDING'
All-New Hallmark Original
Saturday, January 15 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Jen Lilley, Christopher Russell

Mackenzie Sullivan is a New York-based marketing executive struggling to keep her clients. When she returns home to a rural maple farm to help her best friend plan her wedding in just two weeks, Mackenzie learns the hard way that the love and support of family and true friends means more than she'd imagined.


'BUTLERS IN LOVE'
All-New Hallmark Original
Saturday, January 22 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Stacey Farber, Corey Cott, Maxwell Caulfield

In a prestigious butler academy, passionate Emma and rebellious Henry train to become royal butlers where the competition is fierce and sparks fly.


'ROMANCING THE BIRTHDAY GIRL'
All-New Hallmark Original
Saturday, January 29 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Emilie Ullerup, Clayton James

On her birthday, Taylor opens a time capsule left by her deceased mother, which contains six envelopes. In each one is a challenge to complete, challenges that her mother - aware of Taylor's many anxieties that hold her back - knew would expand her horizons and give her the push she needs in life and to help open her mind, and heart, to the possibility of love.


PREMIERING ON HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES:


'NORTH TO HOME'
All-New Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Original
Sunday, January 9 (10 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Lyndsy Fonseca, Kimberley Sustad, Erica Durance, Barbara Niven

Suzanne McBride is excited to spend her birthday with her family. It will be the first time that her three adopted daughters will be together in years. This seems like a great time for a family reunion, but the sisters are each wrestling with unique challenges that threaten to derail this special occasion. Will their bond be strong enough to survive this time together?


SOURCE Crown Media Family Networks


----- END of Press Release ------


Hopefully, there will be some good ones coming in the new year. With Hallmark announcing this news early, I expect we will start to see promotions for these movies throughout December. It's nice to see some familiar faces, and I hope the movies will be family-friendly, too! Stay tuned!

Blessings Today and in the New Year, Net

INSP LLC Announces Significant Investment in Canadian Production Company Blink Studios

PRESS RELEASE via INSP:

(Indian Land, SC – November 30, 2021) General Entertainment network INSP LLC today announced that the network has made a significant investment in Blink Studios, a full-service independent studio based in Toronto. The announcement was made by Dale Ardizzone, COO of INSP LLC.

“This investment is part of our commitment to expand our relationships in the international film and production community,” Ardizzone said. “Blink Studios is on the cutting edge of entertainment content development with a management team of experienced, forward-thinking creative minds. We have been impressed by the Blink management team and their vision, and support their strategy to assemble a best-in-class team to develop quality and compelling content. We are confident this relationship will benefit INSP both long-term and short-term.”

Recently announced, Blink Studios will operate as a full-service independent studio focused on the development, production, and monetization of scripted and unscripted content in all genres and formats. In addition, Blink Studios announced plans to put in place strategic deals with world class writers, creators, producers, and other enterprises, as well as to aggressively pursue IP in Canada and throughout the world. Blink Studios was formed in partnership with its anchor investor and lead strategic partner Endeavor Content.

“We are excited to establish this relationship with INSP,” explained John Morayniss, CEO of Blink Studios. “We believe the future looks bright with partners like INSP.” Headquartered in Toronto, Blink Studios also will have offices in Los Angeles.

Ardizzone noted that through its subsidiary companies INSP Films and Imagicomm Entertainment, INSP has developed several projects with other Canadian partners. “We are very pleased with the quality of the films that have been produced, and optimistic that our investment in Blink Studios will further expand our international footprint.”

###

About INSP

INSP is available nationwide to more than 62M households via MVPDs including DISH (channel 259), DIRECTV (channel 364), Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC), Verizon Fios (channel 286), AT&T U-verse (channel 564) and on vMVPDs including SLING TV, fuboTV, Philo, Frndly TV, Vidgo, SelectTV and Evoca. Click here to find INSP in your area. INSP provides a trusted viewing experience with a lineup of exclusive and original series, timeless Westerns, action-filled dramas, and films focused on adventure and heroic characters.

About Blink Studios

Co-founded in 2021 by industry veterans CEO John Morayniss, Executive Vice Chair Patrice Theroux, COO Jeff Lynas and CFO Nelson Kuo-Lee, Blink Studios is a full-service independent studio focused on the development, production, and monetization of premium scripted and unscripted content for a global market. Headquartered in Toronto with offices in Los Angeles, Blink Studios was formed in partnership with its anchor investor and lead strategic partner Endeavor Content. With a combined experience of innovative deal-making and strong relationships in the creative community, Blink Studios takes a content-first approach by partnering with best-in-class writers, creators, producers, and talent as well as supporting new and diverse voices.


My Take:

This news fills me with great optimism for the future of the TV/film industry! INSP Films is already well known for their inspirational, family films, such as: Christmas in the Smokies, Christmas in the Wilds, The Legend of 5 Mile Cave, Christmas in the Rockies, Christmas in the Pines and more, and this new step they've announced today means we will be able to see even more of their creations. I am thrilled over this announcement and delighted to share this news with all of you.

All the best to INSP as they begin their work with Blink Studios. We can't wait to see what you create! This is a wonderful Christmas gift!

Joyous Blessings and Merry Christmas!

Net

Get Swept Away... 30 NEW LIFETIME CHRISTMAS MOVIES in 30 DAYS!

Lifetime's BIG after Thanksgiving event is here! If you haven't gotten your fill of Christmas movies, yet, then you certainly will - with Lifetime's 30 All New Original Holiday Movies premiering in only 30 Days! That's right, that includes every night of the week - weeknights and weekends!

To be honest, some look okay to me, while others look really good, and then there are some, I will absolutely take a pass on. With 30, there are lots of choices and hopefully, some unique story-lines. And you can choose which ones look best to you!

I'm sharing the 4 airing this Monday to Thursday and I'll be including Friday's new premiere in my weekend post, but you can also check out the Lifetime Christmas movie guide *here* for the rest of December.


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Welcome to the Christmas Family Reunion - November 29 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

starring Michelle Argyris, Alonzo B. Slater and Asia'h Epperson

Event planner Amy (Argyris) helps rising singer Tiffanie Christmas (Epperson) plan her holiday family reunion. Along the way Amy must navigate some challenging family dynamics, especially amongst Tiffanie's aunts as well as her own growing feelings for Tiffanie's cousin, Calvin (Slater). Will she be able to pull off an amazing Christmas family reunion? Vanessa Williams, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and Catherine Haena Kim co-star.


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Saying Yes to Christmas - November 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

starring Erika Prevost and Romaine Waite

A magical Christmas wish makes a career-obsessed June (Prevost) say "Yes" to every invitation while she's home for the holidays. But when an old flame, Blake (Waite) joins her hectic schedule of Christmas activities, past feelings are reignited. June must choose between saying yes to her career and life in the city or to her heart in her hometown.


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Match Made in Mistletoe - December 1 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

starring Natalie Lisinska and Damon Runyan

When talented interior designer Emily Barnes (Lisinska) is hired by a foreign embassy in DC to decorate for their annual holiday charity ball, the newly appointed ambassador Magnus Andersson's (Runyan) "minimalist" approach creates a roadblock between them. As Emily's undeniable love for the holiday season begins to thaw his heart, an unexpected romance begins between the two.


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A Christmas Village Romance - December 2 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

starring Jake Epstein, Jeni Ross and Oliver Renaud

When romance novelist Diana (Ross) learns that Maple Creek, a charming pioneer village, is struggling to stay afloat, she uses her notoriety to help generate interest in the town by sponsoring a Christmas gala. Diana rallies her family and friends to pitch in, but she's challenged at every turn by the village blacksmith and town historian, Carter (Epstein). Sparks fly as the two must work together to save the village in time for Christmas. But when her gorgeous cover model and secret crush, Greg (Renaud), surprises Diana the night before the big Christmas gala, she's torn on who to choose and must take a page out of her novels to figure out her true happily ever after.


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Hope you find some movies to enjoy this week! I'm looking forward to Match Made in Mistletoe and A Christmas Village Romance, which stars Jeni Ross from Christmas Jars! Hopefully, they both end up being good ones!

*Please note- I have NOT pre-screened these NEW Christmas movies listed above. If you happen to watch one of the new Christmas movies this week and want to share whether or not it is a family friendly movie, please stop back by and leave a review.

Joyous Blessings and Merry Christmas!!! Net