Thrill of a Romance

Director: Richard Thorpe Richard Thorpe

Overview

This aquatic musical is set at a mountain resort in the beautiful Sierra Nevadas where a heroic Army Air Corpsman has come for a vacation. There he falls in love with the lovely swimming instructor, who is unfortunately newly married to a rather stodgy businessman. The mayhem begins when her new husband is called to Washington on urgent business. Songs include: "Please Don't Say No, Say Maybe," "I Should Care," "Lonely Night," "Vive L'Amour," "Schubert's Serenade" and "The Thrill Of A Romance."

Product Details

Release Date:	06/26/2018
UPC:	0888574658212
Original Release:	1945
Source:	Warner Archives
Language:	English
Time:	1:45:00
Sales rank:	31,916

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Van Johnson	Maj. Thomas Milvaine
Esther Williams	Cynthia Glenn
Lauritz Melchior	Nils Knudsen
Frances Gifford	Maude Bancroft
Henry Travers	Hobart Glenn
Spring Byington	Nona Glenn
Helene Stanley	Susan
Donald Curtis	K.O. Karny
Jerry Scott	Lyonel
Billy House	Dr. Tove
Ethel Griffies	Mrs. Fenway
Vince Barnett	Oscar
Fernando Alvarado	Julio
Joan Fay Macoboy	Betty
Carli Elinor	Gypsy Orchestra Leader
Thurston Hall	J.P. Bancroft
Alex Novinsky	Chess Player
Stuart Holmes	Chess Player
Pierre Watkin	Tycoon
Tim Murdock	Naval Ensign
Jean Porter	Ga-ga Bride
Frank Ferguson	Hotel Clerk
Selmer Jackson	Hotel Clerk,Hotel Clerk
Robert Emmett O'Connor	Mr. Vemmering,Mr. Vemmering
Dagmar Oakland	Guest at Reception
Tom Brannigan	Johnny
Arno Frey	Headwaiter
Dick Earle	Mr. Carter
Virginia Brissac	Secretary
Jack Baxley	Detective
Ray Goulding	Dance Extra
Art Buehler	Chauffeur
Tony Coppala	Waiter
Jack Shea	Donald Curtis' Diving Double
Ruth Nurmi	Esther Williams' Diving Double
Henry Daniels Jr.	Canadian Flier
Douglas Cowan	Canadian Flier
Fulton Burley	Canadian Flier
Wally Boag	Canadian Flier
Phil Hanna	Canadian Flier
Joe Sullivan	Canadian Flier
Carleton Young	Robert G. Delbar
Xavier Cugat	Actor
George Stoll	Composer

Technical Credits

Gladys Lehman

Richard Connell

Joe Pasternak	Producer
Richard Thorpe	Director
Gladys Lehman	Screenwriter
Richard Connell	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Modern audiences may find Thrill of a Romance more than a bit hokey -- and with good reason -- but many will also find themselves enjoying this lightweight aquatic musical. With Esther Williams on hand, of course, that means there's going to be plenty of scenes in, on and around some sort of swimming area, and Thrill sets it up naturally enough by making Williams not only a swimming instructor but one who is on her honeymoon at a lovely spa. Plot is not usually a strong point in the Swimming Queen's films, and Thrill is no exception; the story really exists only so there will be something to fill the screen time between the water escapades and the songs. Williams is reunited with frequent co-star Van Johnson, with whom she has a genuine rapport, and the two stars make their time on screen pleasant and diverting. Neither one is turning in a great performance, but great performances are aside the point in this kind of flick. There's some welcome musical support from Lauritz Melchior and Tommy Dorsey (including a killer Buddy Rich drum solo), beautiful Technicolor, plenty of costumes and efficient Richard Thorpe direction. No classic, Thrill is simply featherweight entertainment, and entertaining as such.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler