Whenever I watch an Esther Williams movie, I marvel at the strange and contrived ways they wove her swimming into films--films which have no reason to include swimming (such as this one, which mostly takes place at a snow resort). What I really like is when they put on HUGE stage productions--and these include underwater sequences that the audience could never possibly see (such as in this one, as the film opens). But my favorite in this movie is actually not by Ms. Williams but by Eleanor Powell. Van Johnson plays a band leader and he asks a guest, Ms. Powell (who plays herself) to a little impromptu dance for the other guests. She at first refuses and must be coaxed. Fine--that's understandable. However, she then begins dancing and her dress breaks away to reveal a sequined tap outfit AND suddenly her shoes become tap shoes!!! This ain't exactly spontaneous!!
John Lund plays Douglas Morrison, a rich playboy. His secretary, Ellen (Paula Raymond), is in love with him but he never seems to notice her. So, her roommate, Christine (Williams) comes up with a plan you'd only see in films--she'll vamp Morrison in order to help Ellen get him! Huh?! However, Christine is worried because she likes Dick (Van Johnson) and her dating Morrison gets in the way.
Overall, aside from cameos from Powell and Red Skelton, this is a pretty ordinary Esther Williams film. Not bad and very glossy but easy to skip, as it's so similar to most of Williams' films. I enjoy them but there is a definite sameness to them.
John Lund plays Douglas Morrison, a rich playboy. His secretary, Ellen (Paula Raymond), is in love with him but he never seems to notice her. So, her roommate, Christine (Williams) comes up with a plan you'd only see in films--she'll vamp Morrison in order to help Ellen get him! Huh?! However, Christine is worried because she likes Dick (Van Johnson) and her dating Morrison gets in the way.
Overall, aside from cameos from Powell and Red Skelton, this is a pretty ordinary Esther Williams film. Not bad and very glossy but easy to skip, as it's so similar to most of Williams' films. I enjoy them but there is a definite sameness to them.