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.

TCM SPECIAL EVENT: VAN JOHNSON.

Van Johnson, was cast as a serviceman in A Guy Named Joe(1943). During filming, he was badly injured in a near-fatal car crash (he had to have a metal plate placed in his skull, which made him ineligible for war service). Almost being replaced on the film, the two other cast members of the film, Spencer Tracy ( lifelong friend) and Irene Dunne, demanded that the studio work around his recovery, or they would quit the film. The kind gesture made Van a huge star.

Van's had a amazing career in war films and in musicals: Two Girls and a Sailor (1944), Easy to Wed(1946), Week-End at the Waldorf(1945). War Films: A Guy Named Joe(1943). Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo(1944). When Clark Gable, James Stewart and Robert Taylor returned from the war, Van went on to second dramatic leads, but he kept his leading man status in musicals opposite June Allyson, Esther Williams(pictured above) and Judy Garland. He continued his dramatic performances in films Command Decision(1948), State of the Union(1948), Battleground(1949), Brigadoon(1954) and The Caine Mutiny(1954).

The "golden age" started to fade by the mid-1950s. MGM released Van after he co-starred with Elizabeth Taylor in The Last Time I Saw Paris(1954). He continued performing in films, The End of the Affair(1955) with Deborah Kerr, Miracle in the Rain (1956) with Jane Wyman, The Bottom of the Bottle (1956), with Joseph Cotten, 23 Paces to Baker Street(1956), with Vera Miles.

My top 5 favorite Van Johnson films:
THE THRILL OF ROMANCE (1945)
EASY TO WED (1946)
IN THE GOOD OLE SUMMER TIME (1949)
EASY TO LOVE (1953)
THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS (1954)

THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS (1954)

THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS (1954) Charles (Van Johnson), a reporter for The Stars and Stripes, enters Maurice's cafe, where he runs into his friend, Claude Matine, and is introduced to Marion (Donna Reed). Charles, is instantly attracted to Marion's sister Helen (Elisabeth Taylor), but really does not know what to think of her.. Marion becomes jealous, and invites Charles to meet her later. Helen, also attracted to Charles, wants to stop their secret meeting, and shows up to meet Charles instead. When Helen becomes ill from being out in the cold, Charles runs to her side, and they become engaged. Helen wants to live in France, and Charles decides to find a job in Paris. Marion, still in love with Charles, becomes engaged to Claude. Charles and Helen soon marry, and have a little girl. Charles is becoming frustrated over his dreams of a novelist not coming true, and worried about Helen's spending habits. Charles, gets an important assignment to interview Lorraine Quarl (Eva Gabor), who vacationing in Paris after her divorce. The interview last through the night, and Charles, does not get home until the next morning. Helen does not seem to care, Charles becomes concerned that they seem to be drifting apart.

Marion calls to let them know that one of James investments, has paid off. They all celebrate and Charles quits his job so he can concentrate on his dream of becoming a writer. Unfortunately, Charles third novel is also rejected.

James invites Paul Lane (Rodger Moore), a playboy to attend a party with them. At the party, Paul is attracted to Helen, and Charles runs into Lorraine, who is now divorcing another husband. Helen wants to go home, but Charles had made other plans to take Lorraine for a drive. The next day, Helen is angry with Charles, and tells him that she wants to go back to America, but Charles refuses. He invites Lorraine to Monte Carlo to compete in a car race with him. When they return to Paris, they see Helen and Paul at Maurice's cafe. Later Paul tells Helen that he is in love with her. Helen tells him that she does not want a divorce from her husband, but would be interested in an affair with him.. Helen walks home, but is unable to get into the house because Charles has locked the door . Helen with no where else to go, walks through the snow to her sister's house, by this time she is very ill.
Will they be able to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives?
http://www.archive.org/details/cco2_TheLastTimeISawParis

CLICK TO VIEW MOVIE.

I really enjoyed the chemistry between Elizabeth Taylor and Van Johnson. This is not just a fluffy romance, but an outstanding drama. I think it is my favorite performance given by Van Johnson.

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