Annette Kellerman was a renown australian swimming star at the turn of the last century. She caused quite a stir when she once appeared at a public beach wearing a - OH MY - one piece bathing suit and was promptly arrested for indecent exposure. That incident helped pave the way for women to finally shed those cumbersome flannel swimwear of the victorian era and announce the coming of the one piece. Kellerman went on to star in silent films with aquatic themes, of course.
Esther Williams is an appropriate choice to portray Kellerman in this biopic but the script comes out just too lightweight and inconsequential. When all else fails - include a love triangle to pad out the drama...which just doesn't hold much - sorry - water in this instance. Kellerman's story is certainly interesting and she deserves a better script than what is presented.
Much like a lot of the films from the 1950's - a hot young actress is paired with a much older veteran actor and Esther Williams' love interest here is the aptly named Victor Mature.
Even legendary choreographer Busby Berkeley's aquatic scenes can't save this. He's done a lot better IMO. Esther Williams is just beautiful as always and she wears some pretty outfits here, otherwise not much else to look at.
Williams' high dives from the platform are perfect 10's -
but this flick rates only a 5 from me.