Dangerous When Wet (1953)

My review title is a quote from Jack Carson, as his character is getting nowhere trying to strike up a romance with Esther's character, on her family porch at night. Don't understand the reason for the title of this capsule of euphoric escapism. It's the story of 32y.o. spinster milkmaid Katie(Esther)(undoubtedly cast as much younger), still part of her marginal, if healthy, dairy farming family. By her responses to a series of questions by aspiring suitor Windy Weebe(Jack Carson), she seems to have no interest in romantic relationships with men, who are easily attracted to her. In contrast, her younger sister, Suzie(Barbara Whiting) seems interested in men(as evidenced by her song("I Like Men"), but is never seen with a romantic hopeful, although she is surrounded by a bevy of men during her 2 songs. Other than seeing a few bovines wandering around, we never really feel we are on a dairy farm. The family awakens as a group well after the usual very early morning milking time. Instead of rushing to the milking barn, they group sing, then undergo a daily exercise training program, including a swim by Esther.. Later, all truck off to England, with the sponsorship of the dubious Liquipep company(thanks to accompanying Weebe), to compete in a 'swim the English Channel' contest.The film can usefully be divided into 6 segments:1) An introduction to the Higgins family, with William Demarest as father, Charlotte Greenwood as mother, Katie the oldest, followed by Suzie, and much younger 'Junior'(they must have been hoping for a boy). Weebe: self-described 'general promoter' is also introduced. Consists of activities at or near the farm.2)Introduction to foggy England, training for the Channel swim, the accidental meeting of Katie with French playboy Andre Lanet(Fernando Lamas), and the beginning of their romance. 3)the dream-staged cartoon segment, in which Katie cavorts in the ocean with Tom and Jerry, among other animals, some of whom clearly represent characters in the film.4)The "Ain't Nature Grand" musical interlude, followed by more Katie & André romancing.5) The Channel swim contest6)A very brief finale, in which all the principals reprise the opening "I Got Out of Bed on the Right Side", to express their general euphoria.Jack Carson and William Demarest provide most of the light comedy, as expected, Carson more or less functioning in the role of Red Skelton or Jimmy Durante in certain other EW films. Carson's character remains a hopeful romantic partner with Katie through most of the film, despite absolutely no encouragement. A romantic dalliance with French swimming competitor Gigi is suggested, Nonetheless, his character remaining on good terms with the Higgins, after the initial hostility.In place of a water ballet, featured in many EW films, we have the cartoon segment and the Channel swim, along with various other minor swimming scenes. In the cartoon, Lamas clearly is represented by a large octopus, who keeps trying to snatch Katie, while often singing "In My Wildest Dreams", as had Lamas. The rest of the Higgens family is presented by a foursome of seahorses, singing "I Got Out of Bed on the Right Side", as in the film beginning. Gigi is represented by a small French-speaking fish. The turtle leisurely swimming on his back may possibly represent Weebe in his rowboat. A ferocious shark-sailfish hybrid chases Katie, Tom , and Jerry. Not clear to me who it might represent.Arthur Schwartz and Johnny Mercer did the score. Barbara Whiting gets a role early on in "I Like Men". Shortly before the swimming contest, Katie and Andre, in their private room, begin "Ain't Nature Grand". In a more public place, this is taken up, in succession, by sister Suzie, then Weebe & Gigi, then Papa and Mama Higgens. This performance final ends with Charlotte displaying, at age 63, her signature sideways high kicks, followed by an ape-like 4 ped walk. These can also be seen in "Down Argentine Way", and "Young People", for example.Lamas was a well-recognized all around athlete and champion swimmer, and could sing and dance tolerably. Thus, he made an ideal mate for Esther's character. Many years later, they would marry.The channel swim section is perhaps the least interesting. Although Katie insists she has to quit near the end, we are sure that Andre's dogged encouragement will prevail.... The first woman to swim the English Channel was American Gertrude Ederle, back in 1926. It wasn't until shortly before this film was made, that interest in women swimming the channel was reawakened...Odd that in the film, initially the whole Higgens family is promoted as taking part in this contest. Later, only Katie is recognized as having a chance.If you have the DVD, be sure to check out the special feature "This is a living?", which consists of a series of films of amazing dare devil stunts!

Esther Williams plays Katie Higgins in "Dangerous When Wet". She's a member of a family that is nuts for physical fitness and they come to the attention of a slick salesman (Jack Carson) who decides to market them in an upcoming English Channel swimming race. However, shortly before the race, the sponsor, 'Liquapep', decides that the family (apart from Katie) isn't up to the rigors of such a crossing. So, it's up to Katie to try to win it for her family. In the meantime, a very rich and handsome man, André (Fernando Lamas) falls for her and might prove to be a bit of a distraction. What's to happen? See the film."Dangerous When Wet" is different from all the many other Esther Williams films that I have seen because the plot seems to unfold at a much slower pace than her other films. It also is different because, for once, she has a leading man who can keep up with her in the water. Fernando Lamas was a South American swimming champion, and so his swimming scenes with Esther looked awfully good compared to some of other male co-stars. But the important thing is whether it's any good. Overall, I'd have to say yes. The cast is quite good and the finale is awfully well done. Not Williams' best film but one of her better ones.By the way, this film featured a lengthy cartoon sequence where Esther swam with Tom & Jerry. While charming, I actually found it slowed the film down and wasn't necessary.

The challenge of crossing the English channel becomes the focus for swimming champion Esther Williams who comes from an athletic family. Of course, when you've got Charlotte Greenwood as a mother who can kick her legs sideways up to her head without calling for Ben Gay then flies into a split, you know you've got to keep up. After they get out of bed on the right side, they face the challenges of training her for this competition, and find romantic entanglements as well, Williams with the handsome Argentinian Fernando Lamas, who in real life would eventually become her husband. Middle daughter Barbara Whiting is the typical Ann Miller/Betty Garrett/Janis Paige/Virginia O'Brien second lead and sings of her attraction to the opposite sex in the complicated song titled "I Like Men" (as opposed to Kathryn Grayson in the same year's "Kiss Me Kate" who declared just the opposite), and the entire cast, including Williams' brassy agent Jack Carson, papa William Demarest, younger sister Donna Corcoran and the French damsel Denise Darcel get together for the truly delightful "Ain't Nature Grand" where Greenwood gets to take center stage and show what she had done twenty years before on Broadway and ten years ago in Fox musicals with Betty Grable. A delightful cream puff of a musical, Williams shows that when she had a fun script and something to do except wear a bathing suit, she could have a ball on screen and let it show. Here, her big water number (other than the channel crossing in the finale) is an animated water ballet with none other than Tom and Jerry, making their first full length screen appearances ever since dancing with Gene Kelly in "Anchor's Aweigh". Here, Tom gets to do more than serve Jerry, and they are also joined by a cute turtle doing the back stroke and an amorous octopus who happens to sing like Lamas. Great fun. Take the kiddies.

Get ready to be wet and happy all over! William Demarest and Charlotte Greenwood are head of this family that practices healthy habits: eating right and plenty of exercise, which of course includes swimming. Enter Esther Williams who is in her element in this feel-good lightweight comedy musical. Fernando Lamas is an added plus to this story of a family that tries to swim the English Channel. Their chemistry and good looks make for much of this film's appeal. But, it works on so many other levels, too, with enjoyable and peppy songs and great acting by its supporting character actors William Demarest, Charlotte Greenwood (who has a very memorable dance number), and Jack Carson as her agent. Plus, a famous cat-and-mouse team is featured to good use. With that much talent, you can't go wrong. So, jump in and get wet all over. You'll feel better.