Bathing Beauty
Movie Info:
Featuring Esther Williams and Red Skelton in the lead, American musical romantic comedy Bathing Beauty was directed by George Sidney in 1944. It was the first Technicolor musical film for Williams who made a dramatic entrance into the world of Hollywood’s swimming musicals with her ambitions to showcase her skills in the water.
Synopsis
Steve Elliot, a songwriter played by Red Skelton, is supposed to wed Caroline Brooks, played by Esther Williams, who trains professionally as a swim instructor. However, an unrequited plot by a showbiz promoter makes Carolyn believe Steve has kids and is married. Depressed, she goes back to working at an all-girls academy. Unauthorised as the only male student, a determined Steve attempts outrageous antics intending to rekindle their romance.
Cast & Crew
Directed by: George Sidney
Written by: Dorothy Kingsley, Allen Boretz, Frank Waldman
Produced by: Jack Cummings
Cinematography: Harry Stradling
Musical Score: Herbert Stothart, Alberto Colombo
Main Cast:
– Red Skelton in the role of Steve Elliott
– Esther Williams takes on Caroline Brooks
– Basil Rathbone as George Adams
– Bill Goodwin as Willis Evans
– Jean Porter as Jean Allenwood
Musical Highlights
The aforementioned film contains performances as well by big band greats, such as:
– Harry James and his Music Makers
– Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra
– Ethel Smith organist
Among the most popular songs are: “I’ll Take the High Note” and “Bim, Bam, Bum.”
Production notes
The film was worked on as “Mr Co-Ed” with Skelton as the top bill, however, due to the great performance by Williams the story was changed, hence Ms. Williams was placed on promo material as the main feature and the movie was retitled ‘Bathing Beauty’.
Critical reception
The movie grossed over $6 million worldwide and was a big box office hit. Many authors noted the impressive use of colors and songs in the film. Bosley Crowther, reviewing the film for The New York Times, noted that this is “a musical troika of comedy and dances set against a bright canvas of sound.“
Cultural significance
Today, it is known that ‘Bathing Beauty’ helped stimulate the growth of synchronized swimming in motion pictures which triggered a variety of aqua musicals featuring Williams. Such beautiful water ballet sections have been written and rewritten in many other films and television serials which shows how memorable and impressive the project has become.
Availability
In terms of purchasable DVDs, ‘Bathing Beauty’ can be found on movies anywhere streaming services.
To watch the official trailer, you can find it below and gain some representation of the movie easily.
“Bathing Beauty” is a pleasant and blissful classic children’s story and as most everyone enjoyed it with regard to musical along with the appearance of Ms Esther Williams.
