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Bathing Beauty—starring Esther Williams and Red Skelton

Bathing Beauty, Esther Williams, Red Skelton, 1944
Giclee Print
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Bathing Beauty was originally a Red Skelton vehicle, that was changed to increase Esther Williams screen time, and launched her on her motion picture career. The movie itself has the familiar romantic-misunderstanding, as the newlywed Caroline Brooks (played by Esther Williams) believes that her husband, Steve Elliot (played by Red Skelton) is actually the father of three small children. She tries to get away from him by going back to her old job at a women’s college, where Red enrolls as the only male student in an effort to be near his wife and prove his faithfulness. Much of the film is simply an excuse for Red Skelton to demonstrate his slapstick skills. One of the highlights is Red’s bashful entrance into a class of ballerinas, dressed in pink tutu and ballet slippers—all the while being slapped around by a ruthless instructor. Red’s attempt at ballet is hilarious. Other highlights include Red’s pantomiming a lady getting dressed, and using a door very creatively to escape a barking dog. Also, don’t forget that it’s a musical, after all—songs include
Loch Lomond—I’ll Take the High Note

Bathing Beauty is available on DVD as part of the Esther Williams Collection.

Product description of Bathing Beauty, starring Esther Williams and Red Skelton

Songwriter Steve Elliott (Red Skelton) is about to marry Caroline Brooks (Esther Williams). A strange woman who’s been paid by Steve’s agent to say she’s his wife interrupts the ceremony. An angry Caroline gets her old job back teaching at a girl’s college. Determined to win her back, Steve enrolls in the school to become its only male student.

Funny movie quotes from Bathing Beauty starring Esther Williams, Red Skelton, Basil Rathbone

George Adams (Basil Rathbone): But he doesn’t like pools!
Chester Klazenfrantz: Wait till you see what’s in it!
George Adams (Basil Rathbone): Don’t tell me it’s a woman - he’d never fall for a bathing suit.
Chester Klazenfrantz: Wait till you see what’s in it!

Professor Hendricks: Are we keeping you awake, Mr. Elliot?
Steve Elliot (Red Skelton): Barely.

Trivia about Bathing Beauty starring Esther Williams, Red Skelton

At the time of its release, this was MGM’s third-highest grossing film, after Ben-Hur and Gone With the Wind.
The movie was initially to be titled “The Co-Ed” with Red Skelton having the top billing. But once MGM watched the first cut of the film, they realized that Esther Williams’s role should be showcased more, and so changed the movie name to “Bathing Beauty”, giving her top billing and featuring her bathing-suit clad figure on the posters.