Dangerous When Wet

Dangerous When Wet, released in 1953, is an excitingly entertaining musical comedy film that plays out against the backdrop of swimming and athletics, weaving together a beautiful blend of whimsy, thrill, romance, and Italy's scenic beauty. Positioned very much in the heart of America's post-war pop culture, this film explores multiple nuances of human emotions through its enigmatic characters and presents the viewers with universal themes such as family love, personal ambition, and romantic entanglement.

The film centers around the character of Katy Higgins, portrayed gracefully by the renowned swimmer cum actress Esther Williams. A talented swimmer by profession, Katy’s determination drives her to compete in the English Channel Swim, which arguably forms the cornerstone for the storyline, serving as the pivotal event around which the rest of the plot unfolds. The relationship dynamic between Williams and her family, who are dairy farmers, adds an extra layer of charm and humor to the plot, often manifesting itself in dance numbers or swim routines.

Her athletic ambitions and gruelling training schedules soon cross paths with the character of a handsome Frenchman, André Lanet, played by the charismatic Fernando Lamas. A mutual romance blossoms between this duet, creating a thread of enchanting love story which fuels the narrative. But as expected in romantic comedies, the path of love is not smooth. In between the grinding workout schedules, budding romance, and the anticipation of the big swim, there exists a plentiful of humorous predicaments that our main leads have to maneuver through.

Jack Carson, as Windy Weebe, splendidly makes serious claims to comic timing. As the sales representative for a health tonic company sponsoring the Higgins family for the long-awaited swim, his character often finds himself in tricky situations, thus creating a humor-filled subplot within the main narrative.

The film is particularly notable for its impressive aquatic scenes and synchronized swimming performances, understandably so, as it stars one of the best known synchronized swimmers in Hollywood. It's these water sequences in the movie that sets it apart from the generic romantic-comedy flicks of that era. Despite the melodramatic depths that the narrative often plunges into, the vibrant and visually satisfying water ballet performances by Esther Williams lighten the mood and break the intensity of the storyline.

Beyond the exhilarating swimming sequences, Dangerous When Wet also astonishes the audiences with its impressive animations. The film incorporates a memorable sequence where Esther Williams is seen sharing the screen with the iconic animated duo, Tom and Jerry, in one of her underwater fantasies. This daring fusion of animation and live action was undoubtedly a visual treat for the viewers.

Further elevating the film's appeal is its soundtrack. Music is no less than a character in itself throughout the film, beautifully complementing the storyline as well as the performances of the star-cast and effectively helping to build and defuse tension. The song and dance numbers in this film are catchy and tactfully woven into the plot, tightly holding the audience's attention.

Cinematically, Dangerous When Wet is a rewarding experience, the camera work vividly capturing the on-screen performances, the Italian backdrop, animation-infused sequences, and, most importantly, the intricacy of swimming. The film finds its strength in the harmony between its script, performances, location, and technical aspects like cinematography and music.

In conclusion, Dangerous When Wet is undoubtedly a gem from the fifties that deserves viewing. It’s an engrossing tale filled with entertaining moments, touching on classic themes of aspiration, love, and family bond, all set against a backdrop of aquatic endeavours. The beautiful fusion of comedy, romance, athletic ambition, animation, and heartfelt performances, makes this film an enjoyable and engaging watch, a classic of its time that modern audiences can appreciate and celebrate.