TCM's Star of the Month: Esther Williams!

If you follow N and CF blog you know by now, I'm a huge fan of Esther Williams. She is probably best known as "America's Mermaid," she was most famous for her musical films that featured elaborate performances with swimming, diving and "water ballet," which is now known as synchronized swimming. So please stop by N and CF, Esther Williams page, located on the side bar, to view more info.

Great On Screen Couples: Esther Williams and Van Johnson.

It was when Esther Williams landed a small part in the film, A Guy Named Joe, that she first worked with Van Johnson, who later turned out to be a wonderful, musical, comedy performer. This film was followed by, Thrill of a Romance(1945). Directed by Richard Thorpe. The film tells the story of Cynthia Glenn, who, after a whirlwind romance, marries a rich businessman. As luck would have it, on the first day of their honeymoon, her new husband is called away on business, leaving her alone at a resort. During this time, she meets and falls in love with Tommy Milvaine, played by Van Johnson. I thought this was a very nice romantic film. . Lauritz Melchior,(Nils Knudsen) sings many songs since he was a wonderful opera star. Loved seeing Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra.



The studio's publicity department tried put the two together in public as much as possible in the hopes of encouraging a romance. When asked why they didn't date, Johnson replied, "because I'm afraid she can't get her webbed feet into a pair of evening sandals".

Easy to Wed (1946), a remake of 1936's Libeled Lady, with Johnson and Lucille Ball. The story begins when J.B. Allenbury is determined to file a $2 million libel suit against The Morning Star when the newspaper prints a story claiming his daughter Connie was responsible for the breakup of a marriage. Reporter Bill Chandler's job, is to prove that the story was true. I think this maybe one of my favorite Lucille Ball performance.

Duchess of Idaho (1950) is a musical romantic comedy. Directed by Robert Z. Leonard, it was the fourth film pairing Esther Williams and Van Johnson. It was shot mainly on location in Sun Valley, Idaho. Christine Riverton Duncan, plays matchmaker for her friend Ellen by helping her pursue Douglas J. Morrissen, Jr., all the way to Idaho. There, Christine decides to play a joke on Douglas. After boarding his train to Sun Valley, Christine shocks him with hints that she expects a commitment. Once she's in Sun Valley, things become complicated when Christine falls in love with hotel bandleader, Dick Layne. The songs are wonderful, as well as the swimming numbers. And a couple of fun cameos. Which I want to keep a secret. :)


Next on the list of films, Easy to Love(1953). Was filmed on location in Cypress Gardens, where a Florida-shaped pool had been built specifically for the film. Williams character is in love with her boss and finally wins him over when she starts an affair with another man. Fun Fact: Tony Martin bumps into Cyd Charise (in a cameo), his real-life wife at the time.

Supposedly Esther Williams favorite of her movies.

Pawsome Pet Pictures: Esther Williams.

Personal Quote:
"I was just a swimmer who got lucky."

Happy 87th Birthday: Esther Williams!

Esther Williams, a retired American competitive swimmer and MGM movie star. Esther is also one of my favorite actress. Please check out: Dawn and Monty's : Esther Williams Page located on the side bar. Williams set multiple national and regional swimming records as part of the Los Angeles Athletic Club swim team. Unable to compete in the 1940 Summer Olympics because of World War II, Williams joined Billy Rose's Aquacade, where she took on the role left by Eleanor Holm. After the show move from New York City to San Francisco. Where she performed five months with Olympic swimmer and Tarzan star, Johnny Weissmuller.

It was at the Aquacade that Williams caught the eye of MGM scouts. After performing with Mickey Rooney in an Andy Hardy film, and five time co-star Van Johnson in A Guy Named Joe, Williams made films in the 1940s and early 1950s known as "aquamusicals", which featured beautiful performances with synchronized swimming and diving.

My favorite Esther Williams film is: ON AN ISLAND WITH YOU (1948). Cast: Ricardo Montalban, Esther Williams and Peter Lawford. Williams and Lawford are wonderful together and so are Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse. Especially, during their beautiful dance numbers. If you love happy and romantic musicals you'll love this movie. And don't forget.. we get to see Esther doing what she does best in beautiful water performances. The film begins when Ricardo Montez, is playing the part of a Navy man in love with a Polynesian woman, played by his fiancee, Rosalind. They hired Lawrence a Navy Lieutenant, as technical adviser, to help the director with the film's authenticity. During the filming of one of Rosalind and Ricardo's love scenes, Larry interrupts the shooting to take the opportunity to kiss Rosalind. That evening, at the Royal Aloha hotel, the cast and crew attend a nightclub show performed by Xavier Cugat and his orchestra. Larry, finds another opportunity to get close to Rosalind, and asks her to dance. She refuses thinking that he is too forward.

The next day, Larry is to circle the set once in an airplane with Rosalind on board, but he flies the plane to the tropical island where they first met. Larry wants one dance with her before he returns her to the set. Rosalind, says she will kiss him to prove that she has no feelings for him, but the kiss shows that she is an attracted to Larry. When Larry and Rosalind return to the airplane, they find that the wheels and other parts have been stolen by the islanders. The two set out to find the natives village, but become separated. Will they be rescued before the natives have them for dinner? (wink/wink).

In 1952, Williams performed in her only biographical role, as Australian swimming star Annette Kellerman in Million Dollar Mermaid, which would go on to become her nickname while at MGM. Williams left MGM in 1956 and performed in feature films, followed by several water-themed television specials, including one from Cypress Gardens, Florida.



Since her retirement from film in the 1960s, Williams has become a businesswoman, lending her name to a line of swimming pools and retro swimwear, instructional swimming videos for children, and acting as a commentator for synchronized swimming at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

EASY TO LOVE (1953)

Easy to Love (1953) With the Cole Porter classic as the music title, Esther Williams and Van Johnson star in their fifth film together.

After Julie's (Esther Williams) performance in the water-skiing show, she comes to Ray (Van Johnson) to talk about about her long hours, and wants to quit working for him when he asks her to cancel her plans for that evening. Ray ignores her wishes, and sends her on a very important job for a LIFE magazine photo shoot, where Julie meets the handsome singer Barry Gordon (Tony Martin), who is also being photographed. During her photo shoot, Barry asks to take the place of the male model, and they become attracted to each other . After the photo shoot, Julie asks Ray to take her to see Barry's nightclub act. Later that evening, Julie gets a call from Barry and they go out dancing. When Barry learns that Julie swims, models and even types for Ray for not much money, he makes an appointment for her to meet Oscar Levenson, who is producing a water follies show. Julie auditions for Oscar, who gives her the job. That afternoon, Julie tells Ray about her new job, Ray pretends that it is OK with him. She starts to feel guilty, and at the last minute, she returns to Florida with him. Ray asks Julie to meet with him that evening. Julie thinks Ray is going to propose. Hank comes by to tell Julie that his father wants him to return to Texas, and she tells him that she is in love with someone else. Hank then rushes into Ray's office and accuses him of stealing his girl friend, and Ray is surprised to hear that Julie is in love with him. That evening, when Julie comes for dinner, Ray pretends to be talking on the phone with another woman. He then informs Julie that he will double her pay. Julie returns to the resort and is surprised to find Barry sitting at the piano, and when he sings a love song to Julie, Ray becomes jealous. Barry asks Julie to go to Paris with him, but before she can answer, Ray asks Julie to go with him in his boat. When Ray proposes, he finds that Julie had already jumped out of the boat. The next morning, after performing in a spectacular water-skiing show, with dozens of water skiers, ramps, pyramid formations and gushing geysers. Nancy accidentally knocks Julie out with a water ski. By this time I have no idea who loves who.. any who... Who is to rush to her side ?

Tony Martin bumps into Cyd Charise (in a cameo), his real-life wife at the time.

Esther Williams was pregnant during the filming of this movie.

Supposedly Esther Williams favorite of her movies.

http://www.tcm.com/video/videoPlayer/?cid=77124&titleId=73862

Click to view theatrical trailer

MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID (1952)

Million Dollar Mermaid, A perfect role for Esther Williams. A story inspired by the life of " Annette Kellerman," an Australian swimming champion and water ballet performer who performed in New York's Hippodrome. I thought Esther, did a wonderful acting tribute to Annette.

The film starts off in Sidney, Australia, where a young Annette, is wearing leg braces during her recovery from polio. She starts swimming to strengthen her legs.The scenes with Annette as a little girl, I thought were emotional. As Annette, eventually recovers she begins ballet along with her love of swimming and with her father's support she wins the south Wales women's Amateur Freestyle Cup.

After running into financial trouble, Frederick closes his music conservatory and accepts a teaching position in London. On the trip to England, they meet American promoter James Sullivan, Doc Cronnol, and Sidney.( a boxing kangaroo). Jimmy is impressed by Annette, and makes an offer to manage her swimming career. Annette wants to help support her father, she accepts the offer after she learns that her fathers job fell through.

To kick off her career, Annette decides to to swim 26 miles to Greenwich, with Doc and Jimmy, rowing along side. Soon thousands of spectators are cheering her on as she swims through London. Her father Williams, reads about the swim in the newspaper, and is there to greet her as she swims into Greenwich. Soon they receive many offers, but Jimmy turns them down because he has a dream of going to America, for their fame and fortune.. When they first get to America, things don't go as planned, until Annette receives a telegram, offering her a water ballet at the Hippodrome. Soon Annette gets a call from Hollywood, and will appear in her first film, Neptune's Daughter . A few weeks later, on the last day of filming the movie Annette, dives into the water for her last scene, a crack develops in the glass of the huge tank. Annette is trapped and swept onto the broken glass as the tank bursts and she is seriously injured. Two weeks later, her recovery is still unsure. When Alfred and Jimmy, go up to Annette's room they see her doctor and he tells them that she may never walk again....

Berkeley's first of two films that he did with Esther Williams. This film gave him the opportunity to Showcase three water ballets set on the stage of the Hippodrome Theater. In the final number not only does Esther Williams drop into the center of a circle formed by swimmers, but he also uses fire and colored smoke for a beautiful effect. The last ballet is truly worth seeing. Million Dollar Mermaid received an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography.

This is considered to be Esther's signature film.

Esther Williams, broke her neck diving off a 50-foot tower during the scene where she wearing a gold swimsuit. She spent six months in a body cast before recovering to finish the film.

Cast: Esther Williams, Victor Mature, Walter Pidgeon.

http://www.tcm.com/video/videoPlayer/?cid=116167&titleId=258

to view theatrical trailer.

PAGAN LOVE SONG (1950)

Pagan Love Song (1950), A beautiful south seas musical, where everyone lives in the sun and looks out for each other. This is one of my favorites films from the Esther Williams DVD volume II collection. A tanned Esther Williams plays a Half-Tahitian Half- American woman.( Mimi Bennett), who lives with her rich aunt. Bored of the easy life of Tahiti and longs for the excitement of the United States. But when (Hazard Endicott) played by Howard Keel, arrives to take over his late uncle's coconut plantation, she has a change of heart. At first Hazard mistakes Mimi for one of natives, and instead of correcting Hazard, Mimi playfully pretends to know just a little bit of English. Later.. Mimi stops by to invite Hazard to a party at her house. Hazard accepts the invitation. Expecting the guests to be natives, Hazard comes dressed in a sarong. When he finds the guests are dressed in suits and evening dresses. He leaves the party , and Mimi, realizing that her joke has gone to far, catches up with him and tells him the truth. After a short time they become engaged. Everything is going well until one day when Mimi witnesses Hazard lose his temper with one of his workers Tavae. Mimi does not like Hazard's harsh treatment of Tavae and breaks off their engagement. Will Mimi ever forgive Hazard?

This is a gorgeous film. Scenery of the island of Tahiti was beautiful. A cute story line with some wonderful songs and one amazing coral sea ballet. I also enjoyed seeing the native dances. One that really stood out in my mind was the SIMONE knife dance. Rita Moreno plays a feature role, in sarong and long beautiful hair.

Esther Williams, was 6 months pregnant while filming PAGAN LOVE SONG.

http://www.tcm.com/video/videoPlayer/?cid=74492&titleId=3499
Click to movie trailer

Van Johnson and Cyd Charisse were the first choices for the leads, but Charisse was pregnant at the time. A new screenplay was then written for Esther Williams to star in.

FIESTA (1947)

FIESTA(1947). Is a musical with beautiful exotic settings, and a different role for Esther Williams. It begins with Maria and Mario as children of retired famous toreador Antonio Morales. Antonio's dream is for Mario to follow in his footsteps. Mario spends his time training for the bull ring, but his true passion is to play the piano. On the night of the bullfight, Antonio sabotages Mario's chance to work with the famous composer Maximino Contreras. Mario becomes angry and goes into hiding. In order to convince her brother to come back and save the family name. Maria comes up with a plan, with the help of a trusted friend Chato (Tamiroff), to impersonate Mario in the ring.( There are some beautiful, bullfighting scenes.)This runs the risk of her future marriage to scientist Pepe Ortega (Carroll). Ricardo Montalban, performs several beautiful dances with Cyd Charisse. I was especially impressed by Montalban's piano playing, wondering if he was really playing. If he was... he is wonderful.

Esther Williams, in her autobiography "Million Dollar Mermaid" states that during the shooting of "Fiesta", her husband at the time - Ben Gage - got drunk and had a run-in with the Mexican police, causing production to be halted as the authorities had him thrown out of the country.


American film debut of Ricardo Montalban