Million Dollar Mermaid - Thrill of a RomanceEasy to Love - This Time For KeepsFiesta - Pagan Love Song
Burbank, Calif. June 22, 2009 -- The ravishing bathing beauty who pioneered a new genre of moviemaking -- "Aqua Musicals" -- will splash once more in Warner Home Video and Turner Classic Movies' TCM Spotlight: Esther Williams Volume 2 on October 6. This highly anticipated follow-up to the 2007 TCM Collection includes the DVD debuts of six Technicolor films from classic Hollywood's swimming superstar - Million Dollar Mermaid, Thrill of a Romance, Easy to Love, This Time for Keeps, Fiesta and Pagan Love Song. Each of these MGM musical favorites have been newly remastered especially for this DVD release.
Also included are a boat-load of special features, including rarely-seen deleted musical outtakes, vintage shorts and classic cartoons. The films will be available only as a complete collection, in a collectible digi-pak gift set for $59.92 SRP. Order due date is September 1.
About the Films
Million Dollar Mermaid (1952): Glamorous, amphibious Esther Williams portrays real-life Australian swimming champ Annette Kellerman, in a splashy biopic co-starring Victor Mature. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy and Oscar® nominated for Best Color Cinematography, the movie is loaded with stunning spectacle, including a must-see Busby Berkeley choreographed water ballet extravaganza. Is this lovely Esther's signature film? Well, she called her 1999 autobiography The Million Dollar Mermaid.
Special Features:· AUDIO ONLY: Lux Radio Theater presentation of Million Dollar Mermaid starring Esther Williams and Walter Pidgeon· Classic M-G-M Tom & Jerry cartoon "The Little Wise-Quacker" (1952)· Classic M-G-M short subject "Reducing" (1952) · Original theatrical trailer
Thrill of a Romance (1945) Van Johnson and Esther Williams headline this frothy musical, just the ticket for a World War II-weary nation yearning for laughs, romance and glamour. And that's exactly what they got, plus swinging TechnicolorÒ tunes from Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra and operatic grandeur from famed Wagnerian tenor Lauritz Melchior in his film debut.
Newlywed swimming teacher Cynthia Delbar (Williams) has everything a girl could want for her honeymoon: a posh mountain lodge, glorious weather and a drop-dead trousseau. The only thing missing is her tycoon groom, who chose closing a deal in DC over cuddling with his brand-new missus. A pretty sorrowful situation - until a good-looking war hero staying at the hotel decides he needs swimming lessons.
Special Features:· Outtake Musical Numbers: "Gypsy Mattinata" (Lauritz Melchior) "I Should Care" (Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra) "Please Don't Say No" (The King Sisters)· Classic M-G-M short subject "The Great American Mug" (1945)· Classic M-G-M Tex Avery cartoon "Wild and Woolfy" (1945)· Original theatrical trailer
Easy to Love (1953):With the Cole Porter classic as the title tune, it's 'easy to love' this romantic comedy starring Esther Williams and Van Johnson in their fifth film together. Julie Hallerton (Esther Williams) knows how to win the affection of indifferent Ray Lloyd (Van Johnson): Be his office secretary; be the star of his Florida aquacade and the heart's desire of a Manhattan crooner to make Ray jealous. The ploy works, as does everything else in this aquamusical. Tony Martin lends his smooth vocal styling; Razzle-dazzler Busby Berkeley guides Esther's aquatic routines, including a legendary sequence involving Florida's Cypress Gardens, dozens of water skiers, ramps, pyramid formations, gushing geysers, a helicopter, a trapeze and Esther in the air. Also fun to note is film's young Carroll Baker's (Baby Doll) screen debut.
Special Features:· Classic M-G-M Short "Romantic Riviera"(1953)· Classic M-G-M Barney Bear cartoon "Cobs and Robbers" (1953)· Original theatrical trailer
This Time For Keeps (1947): Whether soaring from the high board or redefining grace in a lavishly choreographed water ballet, Esther Williams is at her radiant, swim-suited best in this lighthearted aquatic musical centered on her romance with an ex-GI (Johnnie Johnston). Settings include Michigan's picture-perfect Mackinac Island, with notable supporting stars providing specialty numbers. Famed tenor Lauritz Melchior brings his artistry to La Donna È Mobile, Xavier Cugat (with signature tea-cup Chihuahua at hand) adds big-band élan to the proceedings and Jimmy Durante delightfully dismantles his piano.
Special Features:· Outtake musical number: "Little Big Shot" (Jimmy Durante)· Classic M-G-M short subject "Now You See It" (1947)· Classic M-G-M Tom & Jerry cartoon "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Mouse" (1947) · Original theatrical trailer
Fiesta (1947): Glamorous Williams forsakes her trademark swimsuit for a matador's red cape and black montera in the colorful film Fiesta. Williams portrays Maria, disguising herself as her twin brother Mario (Ricardo Montalban in his first credited U.S. film) and enters the ring in his place after he abandons bullfighting for classical music studies. An Oscar-nominated score* (including a restyling of Aaron Copland's "El Salon Mexico") spices up this gender-bender tale. Lovely Cyd Charisse plays Mario's partner in dance and romance.
Special Features:· Classic M-G-M short Goodbye, Miss Turlock (1947)· Classic M-G-M Tex Avery cartoon Hound Hunters (1947)· Original theatrical trailer
Pagan Love Song (1950):Esther Williams and Howard Keel share the bliss of this eye-filling musical excursion which includes the rhapsodic title tune and a charming Rita Moreno (in her third movie role as a spunky islander). Pristine Hawaiian locations fill in for the story's Tahitian setting. Of course, where there's an island, there's water, and Esther swimming in it. But in one fanciful sequence she also swims among the clouds, sending viewers' spirits aloft with her.
Half-Tahitian beauty Mimi Bennett (Williams) is eager to leave the easygoing life of Tahiti for the excitement and bustle of the United States. But when Ohioan Hazard "Hap" Endicott arrives to manage his late uncle's coconut plantation, the sparks flying between them may turn Mimi's travel plans into wedding plans.
Special Features:· Seven deleted musical outtakes includingo Why Is Love So Crazyo Sea of the Moon o Tahiti Version Oneo Tahiti Version Twoo Music on the Water Version Oneo Music on the Water Version Twoo The House of the Singing Bamboo · Classic M-G-M cartoon "The Chump Champ" (1950)· Classic M-G-M short subject "Curious Contests" (1950)· Original theatrical trailer
TCM Spotlight: Esther Williams Volume 2
Street Date: October 6, 2009
Order Due Date: September 1, 2009
Catalog #: 1000092091
Collection: $59.92 SRP
All Titles Not Rated and Color
Note: All enhanced content listed above is subject to change.
Note: All enhanced content listed above is subject to change.
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