Tuesday, April 17, 2018

On an Island with You (1948), 7+ Color

While shooting on location in the South Pacific, a movie star is pursued by a handsome Naval officer who is convinced she is the girl for him.
1h 47min | Comedy, Musical, Romance | 3 May 1948 (USA) | Color
Director: Richard Thorpe
Stars: Esther Williams, Peter Lawford, Ricardo Montalban, Jimmy Durante, Cyd Charisse, Xavier Cugat.
Jack Donohue ... dances and water ballet creator


As a romance, this is shruggable, although 2 more handsome leading men would be hard to find. And 2 women are linked to each, making a love quadrangle, which all sorts out at the end, of course.

As a musical, it's excellent. We get 3 (?) dances with RM & CC (not in the Soundtracks; next time capture that info!), one huge production number where she dances with men in Aztec-ish costumes on a 3'-steps riser/pyramid, some water ballet, Cugat & Orch, & JD sings multiple songs. 

My only "complaint" is that EW's prettiest, most spectacular water ballet is still her first one, in Bathing Beauty ('44).

Songs performed (31 chapters with menu on first dvd release; no menu, n chapters in re-release):

  • ch2. On an Island with You (1948), Sung by Ricardo Montalban (dubbed by Bill Lee) during the opening scene 
  • ch5. The Dog Song (1948), Performed by Xavier Cugat and Betty Reilly accompanied by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra 
  • ch7. Tango, danced by RM & CC
  • ch9. I Know Darn Well I Can Do Without Broadway (1929), Performed by Jimmy Durante accompanied by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra 
  • ch9. Takin' Miss Mary to the Ball (1948), Performed by Jimmy Durante accompanied by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra, also by Betty Reilly, Xavier Cugat and the nightclub audience 
  • ch10. The Beauty Hula (1935), Performed by the band and dancers when Buckley and Kingslee first arrive at the Hawaiian club 
  • ch10. Anapau (1935), Performed by the band and dancers when Buckley and Kingslee get their drinks at the Hawaiian club 
  • ch11. swim pretty by RM & EW
  • ch12. The Pagan Mask, Danced by Cyd Charisse and ensemble accompanied by orchestra and chorus 
  • ch17. The Wedding Samba (1948), Performed by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra 
  • ch18. I'll Do the Strut-Away (In My Cutaway) (1944), Performed by Jimmy Durante accompanied by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra 
  • ch19. If I Were You (1948), Performed by the studio orchestra and chorus during the dream sequence 
  • ch24. Dark Duet, danced by RM & CC
  • ch26. You Gotta Start Off Each Day with a Song (1944), Performed by Jimmy Durante on vocals and piano 
  • ch27. All Aboard, Water ballet number with Esther Williams and ensemble 
  • ch29. El Cumbanchero (1943), Performed by Betty Reilly accompanied by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra 
  • ?Não Tenho Lágrimas, (1937) Performed by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra 
  • ?Nightingale (1942), Performed by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra 

MGM, dir. Thorpe; 7+
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