Have yourself a merry little Christmas as Marc Huestis presents A JUDY GARLAND CHRISTMAS with child star extraordinaire Margaret O'Brien Live In-Person! - Who could forget adorable Academy Award® Winning Margaret O'Brien as "Tootie" in MEET ME IN ST LOUIS, as Judy ruefully cajoles her in song to "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." O'Brien will regale the crowd with behind the scenes tales of the making of this Christmas classic, as well as chestnuts about her own remarkable career- queried by KRON's enormously popular film critic Jan Wahl. The night will glitter with a short Christmas concert by chanteuse Connie Champagne as Garland. Miss Champagne was recipient of L.A.'s OVATION AWARD for Best Actress in A Musical , and star of the Castro's enormously successful SING-A-LONG WIZARD OF OZ. There will also be a special guest appearance by Matthew Martin as Helen Lawson from VALLEY OF THE DOLLS singing "I'll Plant My Own (Christmas) Tree." Topping our Christmas tree will be a screening of Vincente Minnelli's 1944 holiday fave MEET ME IN ST LOUIS - which features such memorable Garland hits as "The Trolley Song," "The Boy Next Door" and the Christmas perennial "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." This seasonal shindig is produced by impress-ario extraordinaire Marc Huestis (JOHN WATERS' X-MAS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN PREFER JANE RUSSELL). Partial proceeds benefit Family Link. PLUS... At approximately 10:00 pm, following the 7:00 pm event, Ms. O'Brien is scheduled for an autograph signing in the Castro Mezzanine, open to all ticket holders.

Tickets for the 7:00 pm (show & film) are $27.50 and are available at A Different Light Bookstore, 489 Castro St.@ 18th by calling 415 863-0611 or e-mailing hostess2@earthlink.net. For reservations or further ticket information, contact 415. 863-0611. Gala sponsors include Castrobear Presents, Joie de Vivre Hospitality and the Hotel Rex.

Legendary child star Margaret O'Brien, is considered by most film critics and historians as the greatest "Little" actress of all times. O'Brien, a gifted dramatic performer, was one of the most popular movie stars of the 1940's. At age three she expressed a serious desire to pursue acting while posing for magazine covers for photographer Paul Hesse, and the rest is movie history.Her film debut was a one-minute scene in "Babes on Broadway" (1941). Studio Executives were amazed at her extraordinary talent and cast her in "Journey For Margaret" (1942), as the little orphan girl during the war. Overnight, Margaret O'Brien soared to major Stardom! She was heralded as a "sensation", a "child genius," and MGM wisely signed her to a long term contract. Margaret remained the biggest child star throughout the 1940's, being a number one box office attraction. Her unforgettable performance as "Tootie" in Vincente Minnelli's "Meet Me In St. Louis" (1944), with Judy Garland as her co-star, earned her and Academy Award and the position of the highest paid star in the nation .Margaret turned out spectacular performances in such classics as "The Canterville Ghost" (1944) and "Unfinished Dance" (1947).Her brilliant work in "The Secret Garden" (1948) and "Little Women" (1949) immortalized in the tear filled eyes of audiences world wide. Additional movie successes (more than thirty in all) included "Three Wise Fools", "Jane Eyre", "Bad Bascomb", "Tenth Avenue Angel" and "Music for Millions".Margaret O'Brien Masterfully performed roles requiring experiences far beyond her years. The admiration of her acting colleagues and her loyal audience won her the title "America's favorite sweetheart". Margaret was a beloved treasure of the movies and the adoring public. Her millions of fans collected Margaret O'Brien dolls, hats, paper dolls, coloring books, and dozens of other Margaret O'Brien products. In fact, film star product endorsements reached an all time high in the mid-forties, due largely because of Margaret O'Brien. Achieving super star status during Hollywood's "Golden Era", provided a career most actors can only dream of. Today Margaret continues to receive film and television offers. She has guest starred on many television shows, including, "Murder She Wrote" and "Tales From the Darkside." Margaret remains very active in charitable affairs and most recently completed the film "Hollywood Mortuary."  Be sure to visit Margaret's website: Miss Margaret O'Brien.