The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Meet Me in St. Louis: The Making of an American Classic (1994) *** (out of 4) This made-for-TV special takes a look back at the making of MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS. At just around thirty-minutes there's certainly not enough time to go into great detail but considering when this was made I found it to be quite entertaining and especially for those fans of the film. We start off hearing about the original stories that the film was based on and how MGM had to talk Judy Garland into taking the part. We hear how she was finally getting to play adult roles so the idea of playing a 17-year-old wasn't high on her want list but director Vincente Minnelli talked her into it. Through archival interviews we get to hear Minnelli talk about certain aspects of the film but we also get new interviews with Margaret O'Brien, song writer Hugh Martin and Barbara Freed. It's clear everyone looks back on the making of the film as something very fun. Martin sings his original version of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' and we hear why Garland suggested a few lines be changed. O'Brien also talks about what it was like shooting the movie, the certain rules that were in place and we hear the myth and truth about her famous crying scene with the snowmen. The opening sequence is also extremely nice because we get to see a couple television appearances that Garland made and where she performed some of the songs from the film. Again, this is too short to be called definitive but at the same time it's entertaining enough to be worth watching.

The two-disk DVD set for "Meet Me In St. Louis" is wonderful and well worth getting. That's because it is chock full of great extras--and the best of which is this documentary. Considering that "Meet Me In St. Louis" was one of the best films of the 1940s, it seems only fitting that Turner Entertainment make such a high quality documentary concerning its creation. And, considering that the original film had been made so many years before, it's amazing that they were able to assemble so many of the original actors for this new film. In addition to these recent interviews, photos and film clips are used to make this film which was lovingly narrated by Roddy McDowell. If you are a fan of the original movie, then it's imperative you see this documentary.By the way, my favorite part of the film was when the song writer sang his original version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". The words, he admitted, were very maudlin and just awful and unintentionally funny!

This is an interesting glimpse at the ingredients that went into making the very special MGM musical, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, with tidbits about the filming from cast members like LUCILLE BREMER (who played the oldest sister) and MARGARET O'BRIEN (who played the youngest).LIZA MINNELLI can be heard talking warmly of her father, VINCENT MINNELLI and his dedication to the project with his artistic background given full reign by the requirements of the turn-of-the-century storyline. HUGH MARTIN, the composer, recalls how the studio wanted him to include a song about a trolley for the scene where they go to the fairgrounds--and, of course, he came up with "The Trolley Song", a number that he said Judy captured in one take. Vincent Minnelli also remarked how he'd give Judy dozens of bits of business before filming a scene and she'd have no trouble remembering them all.MARGARET O'BRIEN fondly recalls working with Garland (who treated her like her little sister) and LUCILLE BREMER also has only good things to say about working on the film with a few tidbits of information that she shares with fans of the film.If you loved the movie, you'll enjoy this "Making of" featurette.