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.

Getting to know: Dawn

Watching films from the "golden age" is one of my favorite past times. I love fluffy romance movies, film noirs , westerns, drama, and musicals. This has been an a lot of fun for me to build the Noir Chick Flicks blog...I also enjoy, traveling with my husband, gardening and my English springer spaniel.

My top 5 favorite classic movie actor/actresses. Gene Tierney, Betty Grable, Doris Day, Ricardo Montalban and Robert Mitchum.
















In my opinion, not only was Gene Tierney beautiful, she was a very versatile in her movie performances. She was equally wonderful in what ever role she would perform in. From her role in, Heaven Can Wait, to her performance in, Leave Her to Heaven. Where she played one of the most heartless characters I have ever seen on film.

Betty Grable, was a wonderful dancer, singer, and actress. I really love where Betty movies were filmed on beautiful locations. For me it is like taking a mini vacation.
Doris Day, was another fun actress and singer. Love how she can always can put a smile on your face. Although, I also did enjoy the few film Noirs she performed in. Ricardo Montalban, I thought he showed elegance, charm and grace on film. I do not want to forget to mention he is very handsome and one of my favorite dancers.

I feel Robert Mitchum, is one of those underrated leading man with enormous talents. He was equally good in noir, westerns and romantic dramas. His lazy style seemed to enhance rather than diminish his "bad boy" appeal.


The movie that got me hooked on classic movies was: Meet Me in St. Louis(1944). A romantic musical film which tells the story of four sisters living in St. Louis at the time of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition World's Fair in 1904. Cast:Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Mary Astor, Lucille Bremer, Tom Drake, Leon Ames, Marjorie Main, June Lockhart, and Joan Carroll.



My top favorite movie is: GONE WITH THE WIND(1939), Is one of my top 5 "gotta see films". I love everything about it, the scenery, costumes, actors and story line of a young woman growing into a self-driven woman to succeed regardless of cost. If you were to ask me which is my favorite part of the movie. I would have to say the beginning, where Scarlett O'Hara, is sitting on the mansion's porch, on her family's plantation, sick of hearing the young men talk about going to war with the North. She would much rather talk about the next day's barbecue at Twelve Oaks.(Wilkes plantation.) When the twins tell her that Ashley Wilkes, is planning on announcing his engagement, to marry his cousin Melanie Hamilton from Atlanta, Scarlett can't believe it, because she is also in love with Ashley. Her father confirms the wedding announcement when he sees her on his way home to Tara, and warns Scarlett to forget about Ashley, because "like should marry like."

My top 5 current favorite actors /actress:
Val Kilmer, played one of my favorite characters.. Doc Holliday, in one of my favorite current movies, Tombstone. I have loved all his movies that I have seen him perform in. Michelle Pfeiffer and Daniel Day Lewis, had wonderful on screen chemistry in another favorite current movie: Age of Innocence. What I loved about Goldie Hawn, was she is a natural for the kind of comedy in which she made her name.

THIS WEEK on NOIR and CHICK FLICKS:

This week showing on Noir and Chick Flicks, at the movies: (Located on sidebar). DOLL FACE (1945) Cast: Vivian Blaine, Perry Como and Carmen Miranda. Her manager decides that she can get both culture and plenty of publicity by writing her autobiography. Look for review on, Noir and Chick Flick: Music Page.


THIS WEEKS TCM SPOTLIGHT:

NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER (1945). Cast: Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban. A musical romantic comedy. Wed. Feb.10 th. Check local listings to confirm show times. Look for review on, Noir and Chick Flick: Esther Williams Page.

TO NIGHT AND EVERY NIGHT (1945). An American girl falls for an RAF pilot while performing at a British music hall. Cast: Rita Hayworth (PICTURED ABOVE), Lee Bowman, Janet Blair. Wed. Feb. 10th. Check local listings to confirm show times. Look for review on, Noir and Chick Flick: Music Page.

FLYING DOWN TO RIO(1933). A dance-band leader finds love and success in Brazil. Cast: Dolores Del Rio, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers. Thur. Feb.11th. Check local listings to confirm show times. Look for review on, Noir and Chick Flick: Music Page.

If there are any movies you would like to see Spotlighted. Please let me know.

Have a great week at the movies. :)

THIS WEEK on NOIR AND CHICK FLICKS:

This week showing on Noir and Chick Flicks at the movies. (Located on the sidebar): TILL THE CLOUDS ROLL BY(1946). Cast: June Allyson, Robert Walker, Lucille Bremer, Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Frank Sinatra.

THIS WEEKS SPOTLIGHT:

Latin Lovers(1953) Cast: Lana Turner and Ricardo Montalban. Sat. Jan. 9th. Check Musicals page for Latin Lovers movie review. (pictured above)

The Glass Bottom Boat(1966), Mon. Jan.11 th. Check local listings to confirm show times. Check Doris Day page for movie review :)

Cover Girl (1944) Cast: Gene Kelly and Rita Hayworth Tue. Jan.12th. Check Musicals page for Cover Girl movie review.

Check local listings for show times. :)

TCM SPECIAL EVENTS:
Van Johnson, Easy to Wed (1946), movie review located on Esther Williams page. Click Van Johnson's picture on sidebar to view Sat. Jan.16th, featured films.

Rick: I have a surprise for you. Check out the bottom of your Sidney Poitier movie review.:)


Have a wonderful week at the movies.

THIS WEEK on NOIR CHICK FLICKS.

Here it is.. already December. :)

I want to welcome Paul2 (author) to our Noir and Chick Flick Page. He amazes me with his knowledge of movie Trivia. His posts are always fun and informative. Thanks Paul2. :)
I also want to Welcome Monty (author), a new friend here at Noir and Chick Flicks.
I'm really looking forward to reading your future fun blogs too.. Thanks Monty. :)


WHITHERING HEIGHTS. (1939) Cast: Merle Oberson, Laurence Olivier, David Niven. Movie review, located on PERIOD FILM PAGE. I replace it with the film, THAT LADY IN ERMINE (1948). Cast: BETTY GRABLE, DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS JR. and CESAR ROMERO.


ON AN ISLAND WITH YOU (1948), won the: Which is your favorite RICARDO MONTALBAN film? With 60% of the votes. NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER (1948), came in 2nd with 40% of the votes. :) check out ON AN ISLAND WITH YOU, review on Esther Williams page. :)


THIS WEEKS SPOTLIGHT: LOVE AFFAIR (1932). Cast: HUMPHREY BOGART and DOROTHY MACKAILL. About an heiress' affair with an aeronautical engineer, which threatens his career.



STAR OF THE MONTH: Humphry Bogart. I' m really looking forward to watching Humphry Bogart's birthday tribute, every Wednesday, in Dec. on TCM. I think my favorite Humphry Bogart, movie is, BAREFOOT CONTESSA (1954), with AVA GARDNER. Please let me know which Humphry Bogart, movie you would like to see SPOTLIGHTED.


Under Construction, is the new Doris Day page and the Betty Grable page. Check out Monty's (author) awesome blogs, on the Doris Day page. :)


Have a great week at the movies.

RICARDO MONTALBAN: MINI MARATHON on TCM.

Wednesday, Nov. 25th. TCM will be playing five great films with Ricardo Montalban. Check local listings to confirm show times. Thank you Silent for the reminder. :)

Two Weeks with Love- (1950) Two sisters find romance during turn of the century family vacation.

On an Island with You- (1948) Movie star falls for a handsome navel officer during a location shooting in Hawaii.

My Man and I-(1952) A Mexican American laborer fights for his dignity.

The Money Trap -(1965) A cop with financial problems turns crooked.

The Singing Nun-(1965) Fanciful biography of the Belgian nun who briefly made the hit parade.

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