Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Easy to Love

MGM, 1953
Starring Esther Williams, Van Johnson, Tony Martin, and John Bromfield
Directed by Charles Walters
Music and Lyrics by various

Esther Williams was at the height of her popularity in the late 40's and early 50's. Her extravaganzas grew bigger and bigger, with more elaborate water ballets and fancier special effects. None other than Busby Berkeley did the choreography for the big finale number in this one, and he has a far bigger stage than usual to work with. Cyprus Gardens opened in Winter Haven, Florida in 1936; by 1953, its lavish trees and flower displays and famous water skiing shows made it one of the top attractions in central Florida. How does this story of the Gardens' star attraction and her demanding boss look today? Let's begin at Cyprus Gardens with a show in progress and find out...

The Story: Julie Hallerton (Williams) is the biggest star in central Florida. She's so popular, her boss Ray Lloyd (Johnson) pushes her from show to beauty pageant to photo shoot...but doesn't pay her enough or really appreciate her. Her swimming partner Hank (Bromfield) wants to marry her, but she finds him dull. 

On a trip to New York with Lloyd, Julie encounters singer Barry Gordon (Martin) at a set for a lipstick ad. Barry's smitten with her and introduces her to the producer of a water show in New York. Julie would love the money, but what she really wants is Ray. At least, she thinks she does, until it only seems like he loves her star status. Then Gordon comes down to Florida, setting off Hank's jealousy. Julie has to figure out which man she truly loves, before they all dunk each other into the blue Florida waters.

The Song and Dance: Williams is at her best when she can play off leading men who are equal to her charisma in and out of the water. Johnson and Martin are more than up to the task as two of the three men who fall under her spell. The Cyprus Gardens cinematography is gorgeous, showing off the Technicolor with blooming flowers on turquoise waves and Williams' gorgeous array of pastel and creamy black and white gowns. 

Favorite Number: Martin gets his first number in a New York night club, warning "Look Out! I'm Romantic" to a bevy of chorus girls...and Julie, too. He performs the title ballad with Julie in a beautiful swan boat on her way to a romantic swimming ballet in Cyprus Gardens, then while laying on a pier. Martin serenades the swooning older ladies at Julie's hotel with "That's What a Rainy Day Is For" as a heavy rain shower falls outside. He encourages the ladies to sing along, and even gives them flowers.

The big numbers here are the three instrumental water routines. The first introduces Julie as she swims through rows and rows of rainbow blossoms with Hank. The second gets her dressed as a water-bound clown goofing off with a chimpanzee and avoiding a mechanical crocodile. Berkley's elaborate finale shows off the famous Cyprus Gardens Water Skiing Show, with Williams and an army of water skiiers jumping over the orchestra and weaving around water spouts. It's spectacular, beautifully filmed, and is probably Berkeley's last great masterpiece.

Trivia: Carroll Baker made her film debut as Barry's jealous girlfriend Clarice.

Williams was pregnant during filming, which is why she wouldn't do the incredibly high dive off the swing into the water during the finale.

Cyprus Gardens eventually fell victim to the tremendous popularity of Walt Disney World down the road and several hurricanes in the 90's and early 2000's. It closed in 2009 and is now a part of Legoland Florida. 

What I Don't Like: For all the incredible numbers, the story is pretty much water-logged. Ray is such a jerk to Julie until the last few minutes of the film, you almost wish she would take Hank, who at least treats her well. Smarmy Barry is no prize, either. The second half of the film, where they're all arguing over her like she's a piece of meat, gets really annoying after a while. The ending is less an ending than "we're almost done, let's throw everyone with someone." (Although who Barry ends up with is really funny if you know anything about Martin's long-time marriage.)

The Big Finale: If you're a fan of Williams and her water spectacles, dive right in. Silly story aside, this is one of her better ones. 

Home Media: Only on DVD as part of the Esther Williams Spotlight Collection Volume 2. You're better off looking for this one used or catching it occasionally on TCM. 

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