A year in the life of the Smith family unfolds in the classic film, Meet Me in St. Louis. Starting in the summer of 1903, the movie is told in seasonal vignettes that lead to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition World Fair opening in the spring of 1904. Adapted by Irving Brecher and Fred F. Finklehoffe from short stories written by Sally Benson, the movie is well known for debuting the holiday hit song, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” This year Meet Me in St. Louis is celebrating its 80th anniversary.

The Smith family includes mother and father Alonzo (Leon Ames) and Anna (Mary Astor), their four daughters Rose (Lucille Bremer), Esther (Judy Garland), Agnes (Joan Carroll), and Tootie (Margaret O’Brien), and their son Lon Jr. (Henry H. Daniels). The movie centers around the four daughters as they learn about the world, life, and their pursuit of love.

As the older daughters fall in love and the family gets excited for the upcoming World Fair, their father announces that the family will move to New York City after Christmas. Most of the family is disappointed by the news, and Alonzo acknowledges that they should stay in St. Louis. Late on Christmas Eve, he gathers the family and announces that they will stay at their home, and the family rejoices.

The movie made its debut on November 22, 1944, in St. Louis, instantly becoming a critical and commercial success. It was the second highest grossing film of 1944, earning $6.5 million – a massive amount at the time. It earned four Academy Award nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Score, and Best Song. In 1994, the Library of Congress added it to the National Film Registry, and the American Film Institute ranked it No. 10 on their list of Greatest Movie Musicals.