En una isla contigo

Thin and fairly dull Esther Williams vehicle, with Peter Lawford as her love interest. Williams and Lawford are both boring, and have no chemistry together. They are upstaged by just about every single other person in the cast, Cyd Charisse, Ricardo Montalban, Xavier Cugat, Jimmy Durante (whom you'd think was the star of the movie as much as he's in it), Kathryn Beaumont and even a chihuahua. Williams does have a good swimming number near the end, and she wears some fantastic costumes. I can't say anything good about Lawford. Recently departed dancer Cyd Charisse has the two best sequences in the movie, an erotic dance with Montalban and, the best scene in the movie, her dance on the stairs, aided by a group of masked natives. The Technicolor cinematography is beautiful throughout the movie, but it's downright dazzling in that number. At first I thought this was going to be a poor choice in honoring Charisse, but it turned out to be perfect. Child star Kathryn Beaumont went on to provide the voices for Disney's Alice in Wonderland and Wendy Darling. The DVD for this was stunning.

Musical-comedy vehicle for swimming star Esther Williams set in Hawaii. Peter Lawford has a rather hopeless role as a moony-eyed Lieutenant who becomes obsessed with Esther, playing a movie actress; she's already involved with her co-star (Ricardo Montalban) and is also busy sparring with her unloved movie-rival (Cyd Charisse, in a demeaning part as a girl nobody seems to want). In its day, probably a very acceptable piece of fluff, but in this age of celebrity stalkers, Lawford's intrusive, seemingly off-balanced fan is unintentionally creepy (at one point he even kidnaps Williams, but she stops him from being arrested). Only for die-hard MGM musical buffs, although Esther's swimming sequences are not on their usual grand scale here. *1/2 from ****

As a retreat from escapism, here's an ESTHER WILLIAMS movie that does the trick with the star herself in fine form as both a swimmer and a capable enough actress. The story is a trifle about a temperamental movie star (Esther) filming a movie in Hawaii who is chased by the technical advisor (Peter Lawford) who happens to be an attractive man in uniform. Ricardo Montalban, Cyd Charisse, Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra and Jimmy Durante do their bit to keep things moving breezily along.

And as if that isn't enough, there's Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse doing a colorfully torrid dance number and Esther doing a spectacular water ballet. It's all wrapped up in bright technicolor hues and guaranteed to pass the time pleasantly if you like these kind of MGM musicals. Xavier Cugat and orchestra play some catchy numbers.

Very easy on the eyes all the way. The comedy relief from Durante is a little strained at times but his fans will get a kick out of his shenanigans. Peter Lawford, saddled with a thankless role, is forced to look glum and determined through most of the film as he tries to win Esther's affection away from Montalban.

It's a typical Esther Williams movie, a no-brainer but fun.

Trivia bit: The little girl (Kathryn Beaumont) who did the voice for Disney's ALICE IN WONDERLAND has a brief role as a British child star wannabe. That voice is SO familiar!!

It's difficult sometimes to view an older film without using a modern lens and being oversensitive or judgmental. Case in point: On an Island with You, where Peter Lawford plays a Navy officer who kidnaps his romantic obsession, a movie star played by Esther Williams. What is acceptable behavior from men towards women has obviously changed a lot in the last sixty plus years since this was made. It's hard for me to believe that there was ever a time when the disturbing and outright criminal behavior of Lawford's character could pass for romantic. But sadly, that is the case and the movie fails because of it.

It doesn't help matters that Lawford, always a stiff actor, plays the character as though he is an unbalanced creep. Lawford has no chemistry with Williams, either. This is made more apparent when Esther shares scenes with Ricardo Montalban, whom she did have wonderful chemistry with. Lawford pales by comparison. On the plus side, it's a Technicolor movie with Esther Williams so you know the gorgeous quota will be met and then some. The musical and aquatic numbers are all good, though none are classics. Jimmy Durante does his best to keep things light. Cyd Charisse shows off her dancing skills, which is always nice. As it stands, it's a watchable movie (more so if you're a big Esther fan) but probably the weakest of all of Esther's starring vehicles.

The heck with the other critics on this movie. Esther gets into a Navy Airforce jacket and perches on a table for one of the most sexy pin-up poses of all time. Peter Lawford was adequate in an Esther Williams movie. Jimmy Durante was adequate in an Esther Williams movie. Ricardo Montalban was adequate in an Esther ... well, you get the idea. Cyd Charisse was more than adequate as a dancer and Ricardo fared much better when he danced with Cyd.

The colored tropical Island scenery is terrific. Xaviar Cugat is one creature that I will never understand. Guess I don't like Bongos. I have the video and play it over from time to time which is more than I can say for a great many of the MGM musicals. If Peter was upset because he just came off of "Good News" and resented playing in an Esther Williams movie, I have news for him .... he will be better remembered for "On An Island With You" than in "Good News". That one I have only played once.