Tonight's Movie: Thrill of a Romance (1945)

THRILL OF A ROMANCE (1945) Esther Williams' 2nd starring film, is one of my very favorite Williams movies.

It may not have any big swimming production numbers, but THRILL OF A ROMANCE ranks with NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER (1949) and DUCHESS OF IDAHO (1950) among my Esther favorites.

The story is a fun one, and Esther never looked lovelier on screen than she did in this movie, with some of the most beautiful hairstyles and gowns seen in any of MGM's films of the era.

Williams plays Cynthia Glenn, a swimming instructor who is swept off her feet by businessman Bob Delbar (Carleton G. Young).

Cynthia and Bob quickly marry, but as soon as they arrive at a mountain resort for their honeymoon Bob is called to Washington, D.C., on urgent business. While Bob is away, Cynthia gets to know Major Thomas "Tommy" Milvaine (Van Johnson), a war hero on leave.

Bob refuses Cynthia's entreaties to rejoin her on their honeymoon, and as she and Tommy spend considerable time together, they fall in love but resolve not to do anything about it. Cynthia and Tommy chance to become lost in the woods overnight just as Bob finally arrives back at the resort, and he immediately thinks the worst of his wife.

THRILL OF A ROMANCE is a great example of what producer Joseph Pasternak did so well at MGM in the 1940s, mixing charming leads in an attractive setting, backed by a variety of great music, in this case from Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra and opera singer Lauritz Melchior. It all adds up to colorful, tuneful escapism.

I can't praise Esther's wardrobe, designed by Irene, highly enough. It's absolutely stunning in this Technicolor film, shot by Harry Stradling (Sr.). This is one of those movies which looks so great it could be enjoyed with the sound off.

The movie also did some brief location filming with the leads at Yosemite, which adds to the film's attractive look. Other scenes were filmed against obvious but pretty matte paintings or large backdrops.

The film's 105 minutes fly by. Esther and Van have nice chemistry; they had previously appeared together briefly in A GUY NAMED JOE (1943) and would costar again in EASY TO WED (1946), EASY TO LOVE (1953), and the previously mentioned DUCHESS OF IDAHO.

Spring Byington and Henry Travers play Cynthia's aunt and uncle. Frances Gifford plays a woman Cynthia meets at the resort who happens to be interested in Bob, and Donald Curtis plays a boxer interested in Gifford. Look for cute Jean Porter as a bride at the resort.

Drummer Buddy Rich is prominently featured with the Dorsey Orchestra. IMDb credits Jeff Chandler as a singer; I need to figure that one out! Chandler has a wonderful singing voice; I just am not sure when or where his voice might have appeared.

Richard Connell and Gladys Lehman wrote the script, with Richard Thorpe directing.

THRILL OF A ROMANCE is available on DVD in the six-film TCM Spotlight set Esther Williams Vol. 2. It's a terrific collection; I recommend both volumes.

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