You can't expect much from an Esther Williams movie as far as a strong plot line is concerned, and while this is certainly glamorous, it's not one of MGM'S best big musicals. At least in this one Esther has several big swimming numbers that looks like they could have come out of the "Ziegfeld Follies". She's joined in the water by a bunch of bathing beauties and old schnozolla himself, Jimmy Durante. He is a darker sort of character here, very protective of Williams and trying to keep her apart from the man she falls in love with, Johnny Johnston.
Engaged to the sophisticated Mary Stuart, Johnston can't forget Williams whom he met while recovering from war injuiries in the hospital. It's probably because of Stuart's domineering mother (Nella Walker) that johnston has the inclination to look up Williams and ends up getting a job singing with Xavier Cugat. Durante continues to plot against Johnston, so he's not so cute and likeable in this.
Johnston's father is opera star Lauritz Melchoir who has less to do here than he did in "The Thrill of Romance". Williams' grandmother is Dame May Whitty, a great character actress whom everybody knew would still her scenes even if they are few. But outside of the big numbers and supporting players, this one doesn't have much to like, although seeing "Search For Tomorrow's' Stuart in haute courteur is very amusing. Johnston is probably Williams' most unmemorable leading men, and that is a big flaw here.
Engaged to the sophisticated Mary Stuart, Johnston can't forget Williams whom he met while recovering from war injuiries in the hospital. It's probably because of Stuart's domineering mother (Nella Walker) that johnston has the inclination to look up Williams and ends up getting a job singing with Xavier Cugat. Durante continues to plot against Johnston, so he's not so cute and likeable in this.
Johnston's father is opera star Lauritz Melchoir who has less to do here than he did in "The Thrill of Romance". Williams' grandmother is Dame May Whitty, a great character actress whom everybody knew would still her scenes even if they are few. But outside of the big numbers and supporting players, this one doesn't have much to like, although seeing "Search For Tomorrow's' Stuart in haute courteur is very amusing. Johnston is probably Williams' most unmemorable leading men, and that is a big flaw here.