Protraph Lack of good storyline.

AnhartLinkin This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

ChampDavSlim The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

Ogosmith Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

TheLittleSongbird Although 'Bathing Beauty' was intended as a Red Skelton vehicle it's known more for the introduction of Esther Williams, who became a star overnight.No wonder too. Williams is a sheer delight, in and out of the water. Her aquatic dancing is dazzling, and she has an immensely charming presence that handles comedy and romance very well. This is not knocking Skelton though, because while he could easily have mugged he is suitably subdued here and is very funny, his ballet dancing scenes are some of the best things he ever did on film and still come over as riotous.Basil Rathbone is underused and has been better, but is still amusing and suave. Other standout supporting turns are from a dynamite Harry James, Ethel Smith and Helen Forrest.Visually, 'Bathing Beauty' is a beautiful-looking film, with opulent use of colour, handsome cinematography and elegant costumes and sets. The songs and music, while not exactly memorable or timeless, are still very pleasant to listen to and performed with zest, sensitivity and assurance.Scripting-wise, it is amusing and fun enough while resisting mawkishness in the more romantic elements. George Sidney directs assuredly, and the film maintains interest and rarely loses it. A definite highlight element is the water ballet sequences, the final one being the very meaning of "aqua-spectacular".However, the story is paper-thin flimsy, contrived and pure nonsense. While a few supporting cast members acquit themselves well, most of them are wasted (Bill Goodwin, Donald Meek) or forgettable, though Carlos Ramirez does stick out as somebody on vocally glorious but entirely charisma-free form.Overall, Technicolor and aquatic beauty and worth seeing for Skelton and Williams. 7/10 Bethany Cox

dougdoepke The critic Leonard Maltin called this film's script "silly". So what did he expect from a Red Skelton-based comedy. After all, this is not Gone with the Wind (1939). Actually the script is quite amusing, with a promising premise—a guy (Skelton) gets into an all girls' school on a technicality so he can pursue his lady love (Williams). This allows for all sorts of opportunities for Red's brand of amusing set-ups, which he exploits to the fullest. I particularly like his pantomime of how a woman gets dressed in the morning. And get a load of the sounds of that ditzy organ player—they're like nothing I've ever heard.It really is Skelton's movie since he's in most every scene except for the poolside grand finale. I'd like to have been in on the production meetings where the honchos decided to promote this as a Williams movie instead. I suppose they realized she and her swimsuit had more than novelty act potential. After all, what other Hollywood star actually started and monopolized an entire movie genre the way Williams did with her "aqua-musicals". In fact, their popularity continued for about 10-years. Then too, not only could she play a great sexy mermaid, but she's also a good light actress as the movie shows. Anyhow, it's hard to beat this Technicolor extravaganza for sheer visual feast.I suppose my only misgiving is that they're two premier bands (James & Cugat) in addition to the other acts, which means that neither gets enough playtime. One of them should have been dropped. Anyhow. in my view, Maltin needs a refresher course on the essentials of musical comedy and why silliness is sometimes a virtue.

Alex da Silva Steve (Red Skelton) pursues Caroline (Esther Williams) to a New Jersey all-girl college where he signs on as a student to be near her and win back her heart.The film is basically a showcase for Red Skelton to put on some mimes and routines. Mixed in with this are some crappy musical numbers. The only musician to come away with any credibility is Harry James and his trumpet playing. The worst offender is Carlos Ramirez - a tenor who sings terrible songs and has no presence at all. Then there is crazy Ethel Smith and her weird organ-playing. Very odd. Unfortunately, Esther Williams isn't given enough to do as she plays second fiddle to Skelton. It's a shame coz she has good stage presence. Pity it's wasted on ridiculously lame water routines. It's a stupid story that is quite boring.

alrob30 I was fourteen-years-old when this film was released and naturally eager to see the fabulous Esther Williams. However, I was totally mesmerized by Harry James, premier trumpeter of his day. His playing was absolutely dynamite. I had never heard anything like it. I made up my mind then and there that I wanted to do that. I went on to a successful trumpet-playing career largely due to the initial influence of the great James. In those days (Mid 1940's) everyone wanted to be a trumpet player (unlike the deluge of guitars today)mainly due to the influence of Harry James. I am impressed to this day whenever the film is shown on TV. For those of you unfamiliar with the film or of Harry James, I strongly recommend it, especially for young budding trumpet players.