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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.

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!!

"On an Island with You" offers, as Neil Doyle has already remarked on this forum, escapist entertainment to warm any fan of this genre with the magnificent colors and the music in the film. MGM was the studio that excelled in this type of movies and this Esther Williams vehicle offers a lot of fun. Although predictable, it offers the viewer a nice time at the movies.

Directed by Richard Thorpe, the movie takes us to a movie location where a film is being shot. The gorgeous Rosalind Reynolds is the star that combines acting with water ballet and incidental singing and dancing. Rosalind is attracted to a Navy Lieutenant that is serving as technical adviser to the movie. Larry Kingsley, in turn, seems to have fallen head over heels with the beautiful Rosalind.

Esther Williams looks ravishingly beautiful in her water scenes as well as in her scenes with Peter Lawford, who plays Larry. Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse play roles in the film and they become involved with one another with the blessing of her mother in a funny scene at the end of the picture.

The great Jimmy Durante almost steals the film from its stars. As Jimmy Doyle, the assistant to the director, he plays a key part in the movie and makes it his own. Xavier Cugat and his orchestra are also seen in the picture.

"On an Island with You" will not disappoint.

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.

This is truly a great Musical Classic from 1948 with a cast of veteran actors and all at the height of their careers. Esther Williams, (Rosalind Reynolds) is a movie star who gives outstanding performances swimming gracefully with Richardo Montalban, (Ricardo Montez) and Peter Lawford, (Lt. Lawrence Y. Kingslee) who is a U. S. Navy technical adviser on the film who is suppose to fly a plane with Rosalind Reynolds hiding on the plane. Richardo Montez is in love with Rosalind Reynolds and expects to marry her after their filming of their movie. However, Lt. Kingslee met Rosalind a few years in the past and fell immediately in love with her and has every intention to marry her at all costs. Jimmy Durante, (Jimmy Buckley) along with Xavier Cugat and his orchestra gave great supporting roles to this great musical classic.

Ha cha cha, Jimmy Durante is his usual wonderful Schnozzola character, and Esther Williams is so lovely and is fabulous.

A very young and studly Peter Lawford doing his best 'Navy man' impression.

Great music, dancing, comedy. Classic movie musical.

You can't go wrong with this cast!

Esther Williams made oh so many of these movies, but this is one of the better ones she made. I love swimming and she was truly the swim movie Queen of all time! Nobody like her!

It's cool to see this film on TV and video. Keep up the great work at re issuing the old classic Technicolor movies from the 40's and 50's--they just don't make 'em like this anymore!

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 ****

Esther Williams fans will love this extremely enjoyable film. Williams plays a hollywood star engaged to her handsome co-star (Montalban) who are making a movie of their own. On set is the lovesick technical advisor (Lawford) who has been in love with her ever since they first met. Only problem is she can't remember him. So he takes her to an island to make she she does, and well you get the picture.

Williams and Lawford are wonderful together and matching them are Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse especially during their beautiful dance numbers. They toss in Jimmy Durante for guarenteed laughs to make the cast even better.Its vibrant colors and very attracive stars make it lovely to look at, but the story is very sweet too. If you love happy and romantic musicals you'll love this one. And of course we get to see Esther doing what she does best in the very nice water sequences.

Side Note: Who wouldn't want to be on an island with Peter Lawford.

Esther Williams, Peter Lawford, Ricardo Montalban, Jimmy Durante, Cyd Charisse, Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra, and-before she became the title voice in Disney's Alice in Wonderland-Kathryn Beaumont star in another frothy Joe Pasternak production from MGM called On an Island with You. Since most of the other reviewers have mentioned the plot, I'll just mention some highlights: Durante's wisecracks and musical numbers, that sexy dance scene between Charisse and Montalban, Cugat's numbers, and Beaumont's perfect English diction and later Durante impression. All this and some amusing island banter between Williams and Lawford made the entire movie enjoyable despite such a thin plot for almost two hours! Forget about characterization and just enjoy the Hawaii locations in wonderful Technicolor for fun and dancing!

Esther Williams, once again, proves that she is unequaled, in these MGM escapism musicals. The story is silly, but she is a star in the first degree. Whether wet, underwater, or gliding across the dance floor, she is a beauty to watch. Playing her swim partners in this film are Ricardo Montalban and Peter Lawford. Montalban comes across better. He did other films with Esther; FIESTA and NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER. Lawford doesn't come off that well. A bit stiff, but that's his role, and somewhat out of place opposite his gorgeous leading lady, he seemed uncomfortable. And he certainly can't swim.

Jimmy Durante does his usual performance of a lovable sidekick. He, too, played opposite Esther in THIS TIME FOR KEEPS, where he had more of a substance role to act. Then there's the lovely Cyd Charisse who in her early days as a feature player, prior THE BANDWAGON, gets a chance to show off those gorgeous legs in a terrific dance routine with Montalban. Xavier Cugat and his orchestra play some lovely songs.

If you want to sit back and watch Esther Williams in a swimsuit or an evening gown in a fun filled musical with no special plot, then enjoy this one.

Some great talent in 'On an Island With You', and while there are many pleasures one just can't shake off the feeling that it could have been much better.

The main attractions of 'On an Island With You' (Technicolor, Esther Williams and her water ballet, songs, Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse) don't disappoint, while the elements where there was a great uncertainty as to whether they would work (story, Peter Lawford, chemistry between him and Williams) don't work.

Williams is captivating, she handles the comedy with robustness, has a fetching sensuality that makes one unable to take their eyes off her and she is as ever a superb swimming athlete. Ricardo Montalban is handsome, suave and charming, Cyd Charisse shows off incredible dancing (unsurprising, she was one of the greatest dancers in classic film) and Jimmy Durante's comic timing sparkles.

In terms of memorable scenes, the standouts are Williams' "aqua spectacular" water ballet, Montalban and Charisse's smoking hot dance number and Charisse's routine on the staircase. As to be expected, 'On an Island With You' looks fabulous, beautifully photographed and designed and the Technicolor is bold, rich and exquisitely colourful. The songs are pleasant and have an infectious energy, even if they are not quite classics. Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra make a strong contribution. Richard Thorpe directs competently, and energy and charm comes through enough.

However, the story is barely there and what there is is contrived and credibility is constantly strained to breaking point. There are some nice moments in the script, like with Durante, Montalban and Charisse but too many places elsewhere fall as flat as a pancake, Lawford's dialogue can be cringe-worthy sometimes here.

Lawford is 'On an Island With You's' biggest problem. He looks incredibly out of place, looking hopelessly wooden and miserable, with a lot of his non-existent chemistry with Williams bringing an unintentional creepiness, that would be more at home in another (darker) film entirely and he would even most likely be just as bad then.

Overall, 60% of 'On an Island With You' delights but anybody expecting to be thrilled by the romance will not just be deeply disappointed but also disturbed. 6/10 Bethany Cox

With Florida serving as Hawaii, this is the story of Rosalind (Esther Williams) who is on an island to shoot a film with her boyfriend, Ricardo (Ricardo Montalban). When a Lt. Lawrence Kingslee (Peter Lawford) arrives on set as a military advisor to the film, sparks fly. Actually, no, there are no real sparks, though we are to believe that the lieutenant is enthralled with Rosie.

In reality, Lawford is stiff and annoying, and the real plot of the film is simple: get Esther into a bathing suit. Ms. Williams' beauty is almost enough to make this film bearable, but the filmmakers added a few other elements to make things watchable, like Xavier Cugat singing to his Chihuahua. Seriously, though. Betty Reilly has a fine voice. And Cyd Charisse is always a nice addition to a film, though she is not used to her best advantage. And some of the native dancing is fun to watch.

There are other films with Esther Williams which are better, even "Pagan Love Song", which followed in a couple years.

First off, the dance that everyone raves about from this movie: The dance on the huge stairs, the jungle dance with drums, is NOT danced by Cyd Charisse. You can see it is not her face. She was injured as was Williams during the making of this film due to the gross negligence of the director and crew during filming. That dance was done by an uncredited substitute. The movie is a dull affair with Lawford acting a like a perverted creep. What you do come away with is the incredible competence of Montalban in the dance numbers.

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.

Despite some reviews to the contrary, I would have to say that this is arguably Esther Williams' best movie, along with Bathing Beauty. Your enjoyment of it may depend on whether you like Peter Lawford as Esther's love interest and how you react to what he does. It may seem a bit contrived and/or unrealistic, but, I don't think you're supposed to be thinking a lot anyway. Jimmy Durante is on hand to perform some of his best work. Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse make a very believable couple and have several very memorable and sensuous dance numbers; they almost seem more suited than Esther and Ricardo in "Neptune's Daughter." If you want to be alone with these good-looking people and Jimmy, this is where you want to be: on an island with Esther.

While Esther Williams never claimed to be a great actress she did well in most of her films. If she had a solid script and good costars her films were usually fun. Unfortunately in this film the script is so weak as to be laughable and Peter Lawford just did not fit the part of the wannabe Romeo. There is no chemistry between them and they just seem to be walking through their parts. Cyd Charisse, as noted by others, is the standout in her dance sequences and Ricardo Montalban is worth watching as well. The usually wonderful Jimmy Durante just rehashes some of his old routines and, while good, is not outstanding. As a final touch even the obligatory water ballet is lackluster. Of all her films this, in my opinion, is the one to miss.

As an Esther Williams fan -- read fanatic -- since I was a pre-adolescent, I have to admit that On an Island with You is one of a few of her films that misfires as entertainment.

Admittedly applying contemporary values to a light 56-year-old film, I can't get around the fact that there's something disturbing about the Peter Lawford character's obsession with, stalking of, and eventual kidnapping of the Williams character. This is romantic? Lawford's wooden acting is part of the problem -- more warmth might have mitigated the creepiness of the character's behavior.

I have read that Lawford disliked Williams and felt, despite his success in Good News, that he'd been forced into an uninteresting, secondary part in a movie that was clearly hers. That would explain the total absence of chemistry between them.

Redeeming elements: the Charisse-Montalban dance numbers and Cugat's music.

A mediocre but fun film! But for us in Tampa ..and especially Ybor City...what we remember most was that Williams, Lawford and Montalban came to the famous Columbia Restaurant to eat during the filming of this movie. It was not a far away tropical island. It was filmed in one of Florida's most famous pre-Disney attractions..Cypress Gardens and provided locals with a great taste of Hollywood. Montalban, as usual was his handsome Latin lover persona and gave a wonderful excuse for Charisse to dance with him. Durante was....well, Durante. And poor Peter Lawford was so British. Nonetheless, it made for a good afternoon or evening at the movies. No villains, no messages, no problems. Enjoy!

Esther Williams playing basically herself in this film, a swimming musical movie star, did like so many in the late war traveled and entertained the troops. One of those troops was navy flier Peter Lawford. She actually kissed him and the naive Mr. Lawford had been carrying a torch for her since V-J Day. He works it out quite carefully for Esther to have some time with him in On An Island With You.

This carefully laid out plan of stalking is the basis for this lighthearted musical and of course is a plot device for more serious and frightening work. Why I couldn't quite buy the film even though Esther and the cast perform with their usual good standards.

One who doesn't take a kind view of Lawford's crush is her co-star Ricardo Montalban. He's got some nice swimming numbers with Esther and dance numbers with Cyd Charisse. Lucky man. Add to this Xavier Cugat and his orchestra and Jimmy Durante as Esther's agent and you've got a pleasant bit of entertainment.

Esther's fans will approve, so will Cyd's.