Review of On an Island with You

This is the second film I've seen in which Esther plays a north European version of a South Seas maiden, the other being the subsequent "Pagan Love Song", costarring Howard Keel and Rita Moreno(The King and I", "West Side Story"). The present film has more variety of 'name ' actors and there is more variety in the screenplay. Both films may be classified as light musical romances........Jimmy Durante provides much of the humor, along with being the only one of the principle actors to sing: several times, in his distinctive vaudevillian manner. He also acts as the producer of a film being produced on this tropical island(actually Florida), in which Esther and naval Lt. Peter Lawford play the main characters. Unfortunately, Esther has a generally negative attitude toward Lawford's character, for several reasons. For one thing, he pines for her, even to dance with her, whereas she is engaged to marry Ricardo Montalban's character(Ricardo). Also, as part of a movie scene, Lawford flies off with Esther. But, instead of returning after the scene, he continues flying to a small island he knows, technically kidnapping her. One of the wheels is damaged on the landing, so that they cannot take off. Lawford explains that he wants to dance with her, since she refused to dance with him at the social dance. Angry at first, she gradually simmers down. While Lawford is off visiting a native village , she is rescued by a search plane. Later, he is interviewed by the naval commander(played by Leon Ames). Esther is also present. The commander asks Lawford a series of questions, most of which Lawford answers in the affirmative, but Esther mostly contradicts or mollifies him, not wanting him to be dismissed from the service for his audacious act. Eventually, Lawford gets mad, causing Esther to get mad and leave the room, saying she never wanted to see him again. However, meanwhile , Ricardo has accompanied Cyd Charisse in several stage dances, and dinner dates, causing jealousy in Esther, who eventually cancels the wedding. Now, she is mad at both the men. At the end, she pushes Lawford into the swimming pool as her expression of anger, but then promptly regrets her action..........As in some of Esther's other films, Xavier Cugat's orchestra provides most of the music. Pretty , blond, Betty Reilly sings in some cases..........One of the dances by Cyd and Ricardo is one of the highlights of the film. Unfortunately, Cyd tore the ligaments in one knee in her last dance, causing her to lose her anticipated role in "Easter Parade": Ann Miller taking her place.........In all, a reasonably pleasant escapist experience, but with Lawford maintaining his stiffness throughout, perhaps befitting his status as a naval officer. Durante usually effectively livened things up when things were getting dull.