Cast | Story Synopsis | Character Synopsis
The backdrop for Meet Me in St. Louis is St. Louis, Missouri on the brink of the 1904 World's Fair.
The Smith family lead a comfortable middle-class life. Mr. Alonzo Smith and Mrs. Anna Smith have four daughters: Rose, Esther, Agnes and Tootie and a son, Lon Jr.
Esther, the second eldest daughter, is in love with the boy next door, John Truett, although he does not notice her at first. Rose is expecting to be proposed to by Warren Sheffield.
Esther finally gets to meet John when he is a guest at the Smith's house party, although her chances of romancing him don't go to plan when he tells her she uses the same perfume as his grandmother and that she has "a mighty strong grip for a girl".
At Halloween, Tootie returns home injured, claiming that John Truett attacked her. Without bothering to investigate, Esther confronts John, physically attacking him and scolding him for being a "bully". When Esther returns home, Tootie confesses what really happened. John was trying to protect Tootie and Agnes from the police after a dangerous prank went wrong. Upon learning the truth Esther immediately dashes to see John to apologize, and they share their first kiss.
Mr. Smith announces to the family that he is to be sent to New York on business and eventually they will all move. The family is devastated and upset at the news of the move, especially Rose and Esther whose romances, friendships, and educational plans are threatened. Esther is also aghast because they will miss the World's Fair.
An elegant ball takes place on Christmas Eve. Esther is devastated when John cannot to take her as his date due to him leaving his suit at the tailor's and being unable to get it back. But she is relieved when her grandfather offers to take her instead. At the ball, Esther fills up another girl's dance card with losers because she thinks the girl is a rival of Rose. But when the girl turns out to be interested in Lon, Esther has to switch dance cards and dance with clumsy and awkward partners. After being rescued by Grandpa, she is overwhelmed when John unexpectedly turns up after managing to retrieve his suit from the tailor's, and the pair dance together for the rest of the evening.
Mr. Smith later announces that the family will not leave St. Louis after all when he realises how much the move will affect his family. John declares his love for Esther and Warren declares his love for Rose and together they state that they will marry at the first possible opportunity. And all of the family finally are able to attend the World's Fair.