When I think about an Esther Williams film, I immediately picture a breathtaking scene that takes place under the sea, atop an ocean wave or beneath a waterfall. These whimsical settings, marked by elaborate productions the likes of which have delighted and enchanted audiences for over 80 years, are second home to a woman who needs no introduction. A record-breaking competitive swimmer who dreamed of participating in the Olympics, Esther was as trained and technically skilled as she was beautiful, intelligent and sophisticated. After being discovered by talent scouts from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Esther became part of the engine that fueled the Golden Age of Hollywood, transforming swimming into an art form and starring in a series of motion pictures alongside an array of world-famous entertainers. From Million Dollar Mermaid and Dangerous When Wet to Neptune's Daughter, Esther became forever associated with a niche genre — the so-called aquamusical — that is uniquely its own. But while I have yet to experience the entire collection of her work, the few films I have seen so far have not disappointed.
I wasn't quite sure which musical should make the cut for this month's installment of Classics in Wonderland until a group of my friends and I met for our weekly movie night and selected an Esther Williams title from a collectible DVD box set I recently found at a used bookstore. With dance and ballet sequences choreographed by the great Stanley Donen and the direction of Richard Thorpe, whose long-term career began in the silent film era of the 1920s and ended with television in the 1960s, This Time for Keeps showcased Esther in her iconic swimming routines alongside a legendary comedian, a renowned opera singer and a Cuban bandleader — all the while transporting its viewers to a hidden gem of an on-location destination. As fresh now as it was upon its release, lack of critical acclaim aside, the 1947 classic ended up making a big splash long after movie night ended.
*Contains spoilers*
The story of This Time for Keeps unfolds with Johnnie Johnston's portrayal of Dick Johnson, a young soldier who recently fought in the war and, upon returning home, has taken on a new identity to break away from his familial affiliations. Defying the selfish wishes and professional aspirations of his famous father, opera extraordinaire Richard Herald (Lauritz Melchior), Dick is looking to get out and live his best life — which may or may not include a future with socialite fiancé Frances Allenbury (Mary Stuart). True to life, Johnnie and Lauritz were singers by trade, appearing in only a handful of motion pictures. Beginning with a program on the radio, golden-voiced Johnnie scored several hits for Capitol Records, which include the haunting "Laura," in the 1940s. His foray into Hollywood seemed promising until a romantic involvement with star Kathryn Grayson caused friction between himself and a studio executive responsible for her success. Lauritz, on the other hand, was a classically trained heldentenor who performed in the most prestigious auditoriums around the world and earned plenty of international praise throughout his impressive, multi-faceted career. The film's renditions of "La Donna è Mobile," "M'Appari" and "Ora è Per Sempre Addio" pay tribute to Lauritz's operatic prowess even as melodic numbers such as "Easy to Love" and "Why Don't They Let Me Sing a Love Song" showcase Johnnie's own versatility as a modern-day vocalist.
The stars continue to align after Dick comes across a magazine article about an aquacade show performer, Leonora (Nora) Cambaretti, played by Esther Williams, and recognizes her from a past encounter at an army hospital. In seeking her out, memories of a kiss she bestowed upon him still fresh in his mind, Dick meets Nora's stage partner and old family acquaintance, Ferdi Farro. Portrayed by Jimmy Durante, one of the most famous and beloved entertainers of the twentieth century, Ferdi takes an instant dislike to Dick while continuing to criticize a handsome admirer of Nora's named Gordon (Richard Simmons). As Nora tries to help Dick land a job in show business, Ferdi convinces his friend, a bandleader, to hire him instead. The friend in question just happens to be Xavier Cugat,
yet another iconic musician who makes a guest appearance, portraying himself, in This Time for Keeps.
Both legends are given plenty of time to shine throughout the motion picture. Xavier masterminds a sultry rendition of "I Love to Dance" with the help of vocalist Lina Romay, an eclectic ensemble of orchestra players and a solo dancer who ends up stealing the show. Jimmy as Ferdi tickles the ivories in the hilarious "I'm the Guy That Found the Lost Chord," "Little Bit This and a Little Bit That" and "Inka Dinka Doo," which he also performed in 1934's Palooka. Thanks to these superb and carefully chosen musical selections, both artists are captured on film while doing what they did best — and probably loved doing just as much!
Later in the film, Ferdi teams up with Nora to deliver "Ten Percent Off," a musical number that's particularly effective because of Jimmy Durante's and Esther Williams' apparent on-screen chemistry, synchronized underwater routines and a grand piano that emerges from the water. The caliber of cinematic excellence evident throughout the entire scene makes for the best of all worlds when it comes to bringing together music, comedy and swimming. This polished and sophisticated presentation, with all of the necessary bells and whistles, is not only a highlight of the film but a prime example of what made MGM musicals so exceptional — truly a cut above the rest.
Much to Ferdi's dismay, Dick's feelings for Nora grow stronger with each passing day. Despite his undisclosed engagement to Frances, the young soldier is now willing to do what it takes to be with the aquacade star who first caught his eye during the war. Following Nora's request for Dick to meet and gain the approval of her beloved grandmother (May Whitty), the couple sets out on a journey that delivers plenty of twists and turns along the way. And at the heart of this glorious adventure is a destination, the perfect getaway, that makes the motion picture's backdrop impossible to forget.
Without a doubt, the highlight of This Time for Keeps is Mackinac Island. Located between two peninsulas in the state of Michigan, the historic colony has welcomed enthusiastic tourists to its shores for over three centuries. Traveling to Mackinac is like stepping back in time; getting to it is a wonder in and out of itself. Completely surrounded by water and without a bridge, the area is usually accessible by a boat that one must take after flying or driving into surrounding coastal towns. Visitors who find themselves on Mackinac Island can spot horse-drawn carriages, admire architectural landmarks, take in abundant nature sights and delight in the unforgettable taste of world-famous fudge. As depicted in the movie, during colder seasons, the island is transformed into a winter wonderland complete with sleigh rides in the snow. As spring unfolds with fields of flowers to make way for summer, tourists flock to the surrounding coastline for recreational activities. And as Nora and Dick prove when they arrive at this picturesque location to visit Grandmother Cambaretti, there's plenty of old-fashioned fun to go around.
The jewel of the island itself is the luxurious Grand Hotel, a resort that has been the prominent destination of summer vacationers since it opened its doors in 1887. According to the Historic Hotels of America, the Grand Hotel has played host to several notable figures, including a handful of United States presidents and author Mark Twain, over the years. Thomas Edison, constantly working on his revolutionary inventions, used the resort's front porch — claimed to be the largest in the world — to unveil a phonograph. And when the star-studded cast of Christopher Reeve, Jane Seymour and Christopher Plummer arrived on the set of 1980's Somewhere in Time, Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel became part of cinematic history once again.
As much as I love traveling or taking extended vacations to major cities around the world,
I also can't resist a small town. Whenever weekends come around, I try to plan day trips to nearby cities that may contain a square, historic buildings, mom-and-pop boutiques, antique stores and local cafes or diners. Smaller shops that sell books or records are a personal must, and gourmet coffee or ice cream must be somewhere within sight. Earlier this year, I traveled to the beautiful state of Oregon and drove along the Pacific coast to explore the port city of Astoria. Although I can't really make a comparison between Astoria and Mackinac Island, I can only imagine what it would be like to visit the latter location and check items off a list of familiar and new activities. Thanks to this film, Mackinac Island may soon welcome yet another enthusiastic visitor.
Romantic love aside, one of the themes that seems to be prominent throughout This Time for Keeps is family. Feeling overshadowed by Richard's success, Dick makes personal and professional decisions that defy his father's wishes. Ferdi, always the loyal friend, wants to shelter Nora from anyone he dislikes or mistrusts but is himself keeping a secret that has yet to be revealed. Ferdi also has a soft spot for Nora's niece, Deborah (Sharon McManus), comforting her during a touching musical number called "Little Big Shot" that was deleted from the film's final cut. The astute and intelligent Grandmother Cambaretti holds off on giving the leading couple her blessing until Dick proves himself a worthy suitor for Nora during a moving rendition of "(I'll Be with You) in Apple Blossom Time." And during the lighthearted, winter-clad "S'no Wonder They Fell in Love" number, Deborah makes Dick feel even more at home on Mackinac Island.
All characters receive more than they bargained for when news of Dick's engagement makes headlines and leads to a series of unexpected and surprising events as a result of Richard's uncalled-for interference. Frustrated and angry, Nora considers choosing Gordon as her suitor and refuses to listen to reason. The truth behind Ferdi's persistent efforts to keep Dick at bay is finally revealed as he is accused of harboring romantic feelings for Nora, a disturbing fact he is unable to deny. As Ferdi decides where his loyalties lie and whose happiness is more important, a surprising connection between Grandmother and Richard also makes its way to the surface. When the latter parental figure arrives on Mackinac Island, desperate to remedy the misunderstanding he helped initiated, he recognizes the elderly woman as a former circus performer. The two put aside their differences to do what is in the best interests of all parties involved. Deborah also takes maters into her own hands, hoping that Nora will choose Dick over Gordon as her future partner. The decisions that all characters make for the remainder of the film culminate in a grand finale, with Xavier Cugat at the helm, that delivers a happy (albeit rushed) ending in true-to-Hollywood fashion.
Esther Williams has starred in an array of motion pictures that feature some of the best and brightest stars of their time. In 1944's Bathing Beauty, she is paired with the bigger-than-life personality of Red Skelton in a story about a separated couple that finds reconciliation at an all-girls school. In Pagan Love Song, Esther is a Tahitian villager who plans to leave behind her tropical paradise until a recently arrived heir of a local plantation, the dashingly handsome Howard Keel, sweeps her off her feet. In both Duchess of Idaho and Thrill of a Romance, Esther stars alongside Van Johnson, who finds himself in the middle of a love triangle one time too many. In Fiesta, Esther, a matador, takes the place of her brother, Ricardo Montalban, in a bullfighting arena. And in Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Esther meets a couple of vaudevillians, Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, who play baseball by day and steal hearts by night. You name it, and Esther has done it all.
This Time for Keeps is not exactly what you'd call a masterpiece, especially when placed alongside other Esther Williams creations. When this film first came out in theaters, it was met with criticism, and its premiere on television in 1957 also missed the mark. Restricted by the limitations of a black & white screen, at-home audiences were deprived of the sort of magic that only Technicolor could deliver. Johnnie Johnston, while certainly an incredible singer, was clearly lacking in the acting department — especially when placed alongside veteran greats such as Jimmy Durante and May Whitty.
Despite a few shortcomings and minor storytelling flaws, Richard Thorpe's 1947 musical is not a complete failure. There is the music, expertly crafted and masterfully delivered by the most brilliant vocalists of the twentieth century, the choreography that's interwoven throughout the tapestry of the story and the location, a magnificent island depicting a time gone by in a timeless fashion. This Time for Keeps is not a perfect motion picture by any means, but it's an essential entry in the catalog of a Hollywood legend who continues to swim into the hearts of movie audiences to this day.
Comments