Yep, you can finish that song can't'cha?  Immortalized by Judy Garland, "The Trolley Song" from Meet Me In St. Louis was nominated by the Academy of Motion Pictures for Best Original Song in 1945.  But others heard the call of the trolley and made it their own in later recordings, including Frank Sinatra.  Which is probably why the idea of riding on a streetcar is just an incredibly nostalgic, almost romantic idea.  But streetcars were an important part of Saint Louis industry in the late 19th century.  In fact, while the Saint Louis Car Company was founded first, to fulfill the nations need for streetcars, by the turn of the century there were four major streetcar manufactures in St. Louis, each churning out hundreds of streetcars each month. 

Now, of course, the streetcar at the Muny this week is a prop.  But, it still gives us a wonderful emotional link to the song, to the performance and most of all, to our history.  So go see the streetcar, and all the other little things that make a performance of Meet Me In St. Louis, in St. Louis, such a treat.

Meet Me In St. Louis is at the MUNY through July 12th.  Tickets are available through Metrotix or at the MUNY Box Office.