I’m happy to participate in Love Letters to Old Hollywood‘s Esther Williams Blogathon! Esther quickly became a favorite of mine when I started diving (ha! no pun intended!) into classic movies as a child. One day my Dad brought home Singin in the Rain when I was sick and my love of old movies just grew from there. Gene Kelly may have originally attracted me to Take Me Out to the Ball Game, but Esther Williams, Frank Sinatra and Betty Garrett all soon found their way into my heart as well!
My Favorite Scene
When I was a teenager and discovered this movie, I literally watched it about once a week. I loved it that much. So much that when I got married, I walked down the aisle to this song:
Being that Frank Sinatra is my favorite singer, I can’t help but envy Esther Williams here. What a treat to be crooned to by him! Also, can we just talk about her gold swimsuit that the guys drool over? It’s beautiful! Her swimsuits were always on point and she looks gorgeous here.
Movie Background
The idea for this movie came from none other than Gene Kelly himself. He wanted to pay tribute to the early days of baseball. He had wanted to be a professional player earlier in his life.
The movie revolves around two baseball players (Kelly and Sinatra) who are also vaudevillians. Gene Kelly’s character gets seduced into trying to do both at once and jeopardizes his and the owner’s (Williams) chance at winning the pennant. They fall in love in the process though, so it all turns out!
You may note how little Esther actually swims in this movie. Her swimming sequences in her other movies are usually longer and more involved than this one. This is because the role was originally conceived for Kathryn Grayson. Since they knew her fans would be disappointed by the lack of Esther’s swimming, Arthur Freed saw to it that she did have a swimming scene just before the song above. She also sings, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” to make it fit with the story and as my daughter said, “She’s a pretty good swimmer!”
Gene and Frank Together
Frank Sinatra was having some trouble with his career at this point and only did well when paired with Gene Kelly. This is probably why they ended up in this one, Anchors Aweigh and On the Town together. The numbers with both of them are a lot of fun. Like this one:
Why You Should Check it Out
This is just a fun, great movie. It’s really enjoyable to watch. I’m a big fan of getting kids involved in classic movies as well. My daughter knows who Frank Sinatra is and even will request his movies. Check out this post on reasons why kids should watch classic movies.
The musical numbers are fun. Plus, this one breaks the fourth wall by referring to themselves and other actors directly!
Hope you enjoy this movie! And happy birthday, Esther!
Great review! My only problem with this movie is Gene Kelly. I adore him, but he comes off as a little too mean here. Which makes sense if you believe Esther’s claims that he bullied her during filming. Also, I love that you played “The Right Girl for Me” at your wedding! (Coincidentally, Sinatra is my favorite singer, too.)
Thanks for contributing to my blogathon!
Gene is such a heel in this movie, I agree! Brilliant dancer and choreographer, but his characters often seem to need deeming. Thanks for having me! Looking forward to the Van Johnson one too.
Yeah, I’ve heard stories ranging from Gene Kelly was difficult to get along with in general, ans well the the Esther Williams stuff that he was crappy to her because he wanted Judy Garland in that role and because Williams was taller the he was.
Take Me Out to the Ballgame is so much fun. It lays no claim than anything but to give us some entertainment and laughs and succeeds all the way.
I didn’t realize that the perfect wedding song was tucked away in that perfect little movie.
It’s so much fun! Yeah, my bridesmaids walked in to “Time After Time” also Sinatra from the movie It Happened in Brooklyn and then I walked in to “The Right Girl For Me.” It was pretty great 🙂
I’ve just discovered your blog and have enjoyed reading through your posts. This movie is special to me because it was my intro to Esther Williams as well. The cast is great fun all around and I always get a kick out of Sinatra trying to act nonchalant on the balcony while trying to impress Williams. The breaking of the fourth wall at the end is pretty awesome, too. Love your choice to walk down to “The Right Girl for Me” – how special!
Hi there! Thanks for reading! I love that movie so much and Sinatra in particular. I also sing my son to sleep with “Time After Time” from It Happened in Brooklyn. Always glad to find new classic movie fan friends!