JohnHowardReid Although it was sold as a musical, this is a very borderline entry. It has no songs except for a couple of perfunctory Mexican numbers, sung in Spanish by a chorus. The one real piece of music is Copland's "El Salon Mexico" which is presented in both an extracted and condensed version by Montalban/Iturbi at the piano. And Esther Williams' fans will be likewise disappointed by her very brief dip into the water. In fact, for the most part, what we have here is a rather boring twins' impersonation plot, complete with endlessly tedious dialog from John Carroll. For some unknown reason, Carroll gives his vocal chords a rest in this entry and sings not so much as a single note! While Carroll clutters up the scenery as a straight lover for Miss Williams, Akim Tamiroff contributes a lot of hammy and totally witless comic relief. The actual star of the film, judged by who has the largest role, is Fortunio Bonanova -- and never was he more ham-fisted and boring! He doesn't sing either. Mary Astor has a thankless, long-suffering wife/mother role. It must be admitted that the director -- Thorpe himself? -- makes the most of his Mexican locations, although obvious stock footage, stunt doubles and process screen effects are still employed -- especially in the bullfighting sequences.

gridoon2018 Although Esther Williams is top-billed, "Fiesta" is really a vehicle for the musical talents of Ricardo Montalban; his dancing duet with a young Cyd Charisse is a definite highlight, but you don't have to sit through the entire film to see it, you can find it on Youtube. There is also some good bullfighting footage (though obviously not involving the main actors, but stand-ins), and an unusual for a Hollywood musical Mexican flavor. But the "plot" is so exceedingly lame (and tiresome) that it buries an interesting theme underneath (tradition & father pressure vs. personal choice & creativity): are we supposed to believe that entire arenas full of people can't tell the difference between Ricardo Montalban and Esther Williams?! Less plot and more music were needed in this case. ** out of 4.

bkoganbing Twins who grow up to be Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalban are born to Mexico's top matador Fortunio Bonanova and wife Mary Astor. Of course it's the father's dream that Montalban succeed him in the ring, but Ricardo is interested in music and is a pianist and composer. But Esther's something of a tomboy and she likes showing off in the bull ring every now and then. That is the basis for the plot of Fiesta which introduced Ricardo Montalban to the American cinema.Though Esther takes only a small dip in the water and barely gets wet, Fiesta is a decent enough film for her even though her specialty is not really promoted. What's really promoted is Cyd Charisse who plays Montalban's girlfriend and who does some fine dancing. Also promoted is a piano concerto by Aaron Copland, Montalban's masterpiece which convinces music maestro Hugo Haas that Montalban belongs behind a piano not in front of a bull. When he's in the latter position his head's just not in the game and that can be fatal for a matador.Since Fiesta is classified as a musical I was disappointed that John Carroll who plays a scientist and is courting Williams was not given a song in the film. Doubly disappointed because in another Latin role in Rio Rita Carroll did get to sing in that opposite Kathryn Grayson. He had a good baritone and should have sang more often in films. Possibly a number for him was cut.Though it's hardly in the front rank of Esther Williams films, Fiesta is a good programmer for MGM and for her as well.

gamay9 Esther Williams was not my aunt although I had an aunt named Esther. As other reviewers have noted, Ms. Williams was miscast. I have known naturally blond Mexican women, redheaded Mexican women, etc. but they didn't look European (ancestry), like Esther. She resembles Ingrid Bergman. Had the film been set in Spain, it would have been more believable because a lot of Spaniards are fair-skinned and look a lot like Europeans and Americans.So, what does this have to do with the overall production? Besides the mis-casting, the script is awful, the film boring and, just because an actor has a birthday, doesn't mean TCM should devote an entire day or week to his/her films. I am not young, so I remember Esther Williams, but to some she was a movie heroine. I think of Esther as being a step below Doris Day, not giving much credit to either.