Easy to Love (1953 film)
Easy to Love is a 1953 Technicolor musical film directed by Charles Walters. It stars Esther Williams and Van Johnson.[2] It was Williams' final aquatic film with a U.S. setting.
| Easy to Love | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Charles Walters |
| Produced by | Joe Pasternak |
| Screenplay by | Laszlo Vadnay William Roberts |
| Story by | Laszlo Vadnay |
| Starring | Esther Williams Van Johnson Tony Martin |
| Music by | Lennie Hayton George Stoll Robert Van Eps |
| Cinematography | Ray June |
| Edited by | Gene Ruggiero |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 96 min. |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,831,000[1] |
| Box office | $3,789,000[1] |
Synopsis
Ray Lloyd (Van Johnson) runs a successful Cypress Gardens water show, but star attraction Julie Hallerton (Esther Williams) is overworked and underpaid. She fibs about pretending to marry her aquatic partner Hank (John Bromfield), but is persuaded by Ray to accompany him to New York instead.
Julie's hired to pose for a magazine lipstick ad when handsome singer Barry Gordon (Tony Martin) takes the place of a male model and kisses her instead. Barry offers to introduce Julie to a promoter who agrees to hire her for a New York water show he produces. Moreover, he will pay her more and treat her better than does Ray.
When they return to Florida, a jealous Hank tells off Ray for not realizing how Julie truly feels. Her roommate Nancy (Edna Skinner) whacks her accidentally with a water ski, knocking Julie cold. All three men in her life rush to her side, and it appears Barry's going to win her.
At the last moment, Ray realizes he is in love with Julie, and vice versa. Barry quickly turns his attention to another bathing beauty while Nancy reveals a romantic interest in Hank.
Cast
- Esther Williams as Julie Hallerton
- Van Johnson as Ray Lloyd
- Tony Martin as Barry Gordon
- John Bromfield as Hank
- Edna Skinner as Nancy Parmel
- Carroll Baker (in her feature film debut) as Clarice
- Hal Borne (as Hal Berns) as Melvin, the pianist
- Emory Parnell as Mr. Huffnagel
Production
MGM announced the film in October 1952.[3] It was shot partly on location in Cypress Gardens starting 12 February 1953.[4][5]
Carroll Baker made her film debut in a small role as a once-married woman interested in Tony Martin's character, and jealous of Esther Williams.[6]
Tony Martin's wife Cyd Charisse visited the set during filming and makes a cameo at the end of the film.
Reception
According to MGM records the film made $2,349,000 in the US and Canada and $1,440,000 elsewhere resulting in a profit of $385,000.[1]
References
- The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
- http://allmovie.com/work/easy-to-love-15205
- THOMAS M. PRYOR (Oct 21, 1952). "LESSER ACQUIRES TRI-OPTICON RIGHTS: Producer and Theatre Owner to Tour Country With Hour Show Using New Process". New York Times. p. 35.
- Schallert, Edwin (Dec 31, 1952). "Closer Linking Seen of Stage, Screen; Agar Named for Song Film". Los Angeles Times. p. 7.
- Foust, Hal. (Feb 22, 1953). "THE TRIBUNE TRAVELERS' GUIDE: Make Film of Florida Water Skiing Capital". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. d3.
- Hopper, Hedda (July 27, 1962). "'Out-of-Towners' for Deborah Kerr: Manulis Signs Her to Play Postmistress on a Spree". Los Angeles Times. p. C10.