classicsoncall The original working title for this film was "Mr. Co-Ed" in acknowledgment of Red Skelton's role as a male student at an all girl's college. However when shooting was finished it became clear that Esther Williams stood out as the "Bathing Beauty" of the title, so that's what MGM went with. It became their third largest grossing film up to that point, unimaginably finding itself in the same company as "Ben Hur" and "Gone With the Wind". I'm finding it rather hard to believe.If you're watching the picture with a critical eye there's not a lot that will stand a credibility test. When Steve Elliott's (Skelton) wedding to Caroline Brooks (Williams) is hijacked by Steve's business manager George Adams (Basil Rathbone), Caroline calls a marriage time out and heads off to Victoria College to resume a teaching job she once held there. The pretext is rather flimsy, who'd believe Red Skelton siring three Mexican kids named Pedro, Pablo and Pancho?Obviously there was a time in this country's history when pictures like this were popular, and Red Skelton's brand of physical humor could carry the whole thing almost by himself. Today a lot of it seems just plain embarrassing, like Red's pink tutu gimmick and the wake up pantomime. You have to give the man credit though, his timing in the Swan Lake dance routine with the rest of the class seemed rather extraordinary for a comic, you couldn't beat that Daddy with a boogie brush to use the era's vernacular.The two players who kept me off balance however were Rathbone and trumpet player extraordinaire, Harry James performing with his Music Maker Orchestra. They looked so much alike to me that the only way I could tell them apart was when the music was playing. Come to think of it, I don't recall James and Rathbone ever appearing in the same scene together. Hmm.The picture wound up making Esther Williams a big star and she went on to make two more films with Red - "Neptune's Daughter" and "Texas Carnival". Based on the success of her first picture here with MGM, she wound up with top billing over Skelton. Not that he wasn't a big star in his own right by that time, it's just that she was bigger.

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.

ryancm BATHING BEAUTY was never meant to be a classic. It's primarily an excuse to feature Red Skelton in some of his "routiens", like being in drag and doing lots of pantomime. Also a vehicle for showcasing Esther Williams who was just starting out in films. She does well for her first co-starring role. Red is the star in this one unlike NEPTUNES DAUGHTER where he co-stars. The film is likable enough and fun to watch for the by-gone days of the flimsy MGM musical that it is. The plot is almost non-existent and again, just an excuse for Reds antics. Look for a young Janis Paige in the best number in the film. BATHING BEAUTY is one of six titles on DVD in the Williams collection. Now if Warner's would just put out another collection which should include some her better material i.e. EASY TO LOVE; DUCHESS OF IDAHO; SKIRTS AHOY; MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID and THRILL OF A ROMANCE.

everlybr The lack of plot is part of what is fun.Released during the middle of WWII, it is a rather obvious excuse to show beautiful women in bathing suits and have lots of really good musical numbers. There are several wonderful location shots, even though most of it was filmed on a sound stage. One of the locations look likes it was filmed in Palm Springs.Red Skelton is adorable if a bit typecast. Ester Williams is stunningly beautiful and graceful.All in all a thoroughly enjoyable, if silly, movie. A great movie for family viewing especially with younger children.