ST. LOUIS – An iconic pair of Hollywood memorabilia are back together in St. Louis for a short time. The dress and coat worn by actress Judy Garland in the film “Meet Me in St. Louis” are part of a display inside the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park.
“In our World’s Fair Gallery, we have Judy Garland’s red dress and coat she wore for the Christmas scenes in ‘Meet Me in St. Louis,’” Adam Kloppe, public historian for the Missouri Historical Society, said. “This is an iconic American film; one of the best musicals of all time. Something millions watch every year. A Christmas film that people watch every year. We’re excited that they’re back together for the first time since the film came out in 1944.”
“Meet Me in St. Louis” is a beloved telling of St. Louis history of the 1904 World’s Fair and the family that may or may not leave Mound City.
In trying to convey the size and scope of the original World’s Fair, the museum has a scale model to give you an idea of what fairgoers experienced when they told of the giant Ferris wheel or strolling the pike.
“She looks taller in the case,” Kloppe said, referring to Garland’s dress. “You get a sense of just how small she was. You hear that about Judy Garland. Seeing the dress and the coat gives you a sense of how small and petite she was.”
The collection of stories and memorabilia marks the 120th anniversary of the St. Louis World’s Fair. But the red dress and coat worn by Judy Garland when she sang “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” will be short-lived. It’s in the Gateway City only until Jan. 6.