St. Louis secrets MAKING A CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

THE 1944 MUSICAL FILM HAD A LOT GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES

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ROMANCE BLOOMS

Clang, clang, clang went the trolley ... and clang, clang, clang went Judy Garland's heart on the set of Meet Me In St. Louis when she fell for the charms of her director Vincente Minnelli.

Having first met a few years prior, the love affair between the two started off frosty. At the time, Judy was married to her first husband, David Rose. But over the course of filming – which lasted about eight weeks – they grew close, bonding over their childhoods. Some say Vincente, who was 20 years Judy's senior, was also the first director who made Judy feel beautiful.

The pair moved in together shortly after the film finished shooting. Judy divorced David and in June 1945, she and Vincente married. The following year they welcomed their daughter, Liza Minnelli. However, their happiness didn't last.

Judy had been suffering from postpartum depression and substance abuse, which allegedly caused marital strain. There are reports that there were affairs on both sides. They separated in 1949 and divorced in 1950.

STOLEN OSCAR

Margaret O'Brien, then six, played Tootie, the younger sister of Judy's Esther. For her performance she received a Juvenile Academy Award.