My Favourite Esther Williams Movies...as told by Letterboxd Reviews
Happy 101st Birthday Esther Williams!
I discovered this 'million dollar mermaid' during the pandemic and let me tell you: her movies were a definite balm during that first uncertain lockdown. Since then, I've become a huge Esther Williams fan and always put them on when I need cheering up. In honour of what would've been her 101st birthday, here are my favourite Esther Williams movies as told by Letterboxd reviews.
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gif by me
I discovered this 'million dollar mermaid' during the pandemic and let me tell you: her movies were a definite balm during that first uncertain lockdown. Since then, I've become a huge Esther Williams fan and always put them on when I need cheering up. In honour of what would've been her 101st birthday, here are my favourite Esther Williams movies as told by Letterboxd reviews.
Onward!
Bathing Beauty (1944)
"The original Esther Williams. Filled with color, fun and splashes. Not to mention a whole bunch of characters to almost out-shadow her in her first swimming picture. But what a blast! Simply a good time, like musicals of old. Not so much about the plot, but all about showcasing!" — PUNQ
"The plot of this film might be wafer thin, but Bathing Beauty is a delight from start to finish. Basically, the plot is just an excuse to provide Esther Williams swimming, comedy scenes with Red Skelton, and big band musical numbers, but it works." — Michael Samerdyke
"You say 'string of novelty acts in glorious technicolor' like that's a bad thing." — looksbizarre
Thrill of a Romance (1945)
"That was adorable. Williams and Johnson have great chemistry and are so sweet together." — idegy
"I respect how they could center a movie around giving Esther a chance to swim in everything she did." — Emily
"I swear this is one of the cutest films in existence. Esther Williams and Van Johnson share a wonderful chemistry which shines in Thrill of a Romance. The storyline is clever and over-the-top, but it works." — Meredith
Easy to Wed (1946)
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“This is actually quite delightful. It comes off better if you don't try to compare it to Libeled Lady, of which this is a remake. Taken on its own, this is quite fun with a cast that is pretty strong in its own right.” — Bre
“Lucille Ball is a scream, Van Johnson is campy and charming, Keenan Wynn is a fantastic heel while Esther Williams is a dream. This screwball romantic musical comedy benefits from some real fun performances and while the musical scenes are the most lacking, it's worth it to watch the chemistry between both Johnson/Ball & Johnson/Williams!” — Danielle
“Esther and Van are cute together! And I loved Lucy a lot in this film too!” — Christine Mier
Neptune's Daughter (1949)
“Now who had the idea to call Betty Garrett's character Betty Barrett?” — Pati
“They sing ‘Baby It's Cold Outside’ when the movie is set in a tropical setting what the hell???” — David
“I watched this with my mom and we both laughed out loud a bunch of times! It’s really fun to watch an old obscure film and to get so much enjoyment out of it! It’s like discovering little gems.” — dsmartfilms
Duchess of Idaho (1950)
“This is one of those movies you watch again and again for the costumes, hairstyles and sets. The apartment Esther shares with Paula Raymond is fascinating - the mix of styles and color scheme. And then watching Van Johnson sing and dance is endlessly adorable.” — Casey
“I expected more Idaho but I appreciate there wasn’t more Idaho.” — Nathan and the Argonauts
“I want to dance a potato length away from Van Johnson and be crowned Duchess of Idaho!” — PJ
Easy to Love (1953)
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“I sorta wish there was more about Cypress Gardens here, as I found that more interesting as a concept than Esther Williams and the guys in her life.” — lowbacca
“Next time you think you’ve suffered for your art, just remember Esther Williams did an entire aquatic acrobatics picture while pregnant.” — ryan luis rodriguez
“I love pretty much all of Esther's films and this one is no exception. The fully drenched technicolor and incredible costumes in every scene keep you glued to the screen. The romance is fluff and if you think too hard about it, you might get mad at Van Johnson, so just appreciate the overuse of chartreuse and call it a day.” — Casey
Jupiter's Darling (1955)
“There is NO way that Jupiter's Darling isn't just a hallucination I had after eating too much bacon-wrapped meatloaf for dinner. MGM and director George Sidney made a campy period-piece spectacle set in 216 B.C. that goes above and beyond that same year's The Prodigal, this time with splashtacular swimming star Esther Williams cast as Amytis, a woman unhappily betrothed to her guardian since childhood, the Roman dictator Fabius Maximus (George Sanders, who looks like a giant stick of butter in his introductory scenes' golden toga).” — theironcupcake
“An actual fever dream! A musical Roman epic! An Esther Williams swimming spectacle!” — Emmeline
“See, this, THIS, is why I plumb the moldy depths of the studio system, enduring tedious obscurities in the relentless pursuit of the truly baffling. Who in Hollywood thought that the perfect vehicle for Esther Williams was a sword & sandals musical comedy? Where Gower and Marge Champion dance with elephants because, well, Hannibal? Where Howard Keel’s frankly impressive thighs are displayed so extensively and lovingly that they deserve their own credit?” — Bill S
What are your favourite Esther Williams movies? Let me know in the comments!
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