DVD Garland classic on 2-disc set

'Meet Me in St. Louis' is being released in a 60th anniversary edition.
THE (COLUMBIA, S.C.) STATE
A marvelous piece of nostalgic Americana, "Meet Me in St. Louis" (Warner, 1944, $29.98) arrives this week in a knockout of a two-disc DVD set.
With a radiant Judy Garland as its star, the film is blessed with a terrific cast and is a cavalcade of wonderful early-20th-century vignettes. Making it even better is that the movie has been restored to its original Technicolor brilliance.
This is the showpiece of five Garland films -- each representing a stage in her career at MGM -- being released on DVD. It's obvious that "Meet Me In St. Louis" represents the zenith of her days at the studio.
Memorable musical numbers include "The Trolley Song," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "The Boy Next Door" and the title tune. Rather than have his characters break into song for no reason, director Vincente Minnelli excellently weaves the songs into the film so that they move the story along.
The story
The film, set in St. Louis, opens in the summer of 1903 where Esther Smith (Garland), like the rest of the family, is excited that the World's Fair will open in their city the following year. We follow Esther and her family through various seasons of the year.
There is papa Alonzo (Leon Ames) and mama Anna (Mary Astor), brother Lon (Henry H. Daniels Jr.) and her three sisters -- the oldest, Rose (Lucille Bremer) and the two youngest, Agnes (Joan Carroll) and Tootie (Margaret O'Brien). Also in the household is Grandpa (Harry Davenport) and the maid, Katie (Marjorie Main). Each has special moments in the film.
Their world receives a jolt at Christmastime, when Mr. Smith announces that he has accepted a new job and the family will be moving to New York. Everyone is upset at the prospect of leaving, and Papa has to do some soul-searching.
This 60th anniversary edition is loaded with extras including two documentaries, "The Making of An American Classic" and "Hollywood: The Dream Factory." Also included are the 1930 short "Bubbles," which has one of Garland's earliest film appearances, and the Lux Radio Theater's 1946 adaptation of the film. Garland's daughter, Liza Minnelli, introduces the movie.
You'll also want to check out the 1966 "Meet Me in St. Louis" unsold TV pilot, shot in color, starring Shelley Fabares in the Garland role and Celeste Holm as the mom. Unlike the movie, you probably won't want to watch it again.
Others
The other four Garland films coming to DVD: "In the Good Old Summertime" (Warner, 1949, $19.99); "For Me and My Gal" (Warner, 1942, $19.99); "Ziegfeld Girl" (Warner, 1941, $19.99); "Love Finds Andy Hardy" (Warner, 1938, $19.99).