“TCM Spotlight: Esther Williams Volume 2” Six New-To-DVD ‘Aqua-Musicals’ From America’s Favorite Mermaid On October 6 From Warner Home Video
(June 22, 2009 – Burbank, CA) - 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 Technicolor® 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:
• 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 including
• Classic M-G-M short subject “Curious Contests” (1950)
• Original theatrical trailer About Esther Williams Born in Los Angeles in 1921, Esther was the youngest of five children. As a teenager, she was determined to become a world champion swimmer, and by the age of 15 had already set records at such events as the Women's Outdoor Nationals and the Pacific Coast Championships. When the 1940 Olympics were cancelled because it was wartime, Williams went to work for Billy Rose's San Francisco Aquacade. An MGM scout spotted her there and offered her a contract, resulting in her screen debut in 1942 as Mickey Rooney’s love interest in “Andy Hardy’s Double Life.” Hoping that a swimming star could surpass a skating queen (Fox’s Sonja Henie), MGM began grooming Miss Williams for the future by completely restructuring her third film. Filming began in 1943 under the title “Mr. Co-Ed,” starring Red Skelton as the title character. Early into production, producer Jack Cummings realized his leading lady was stealing the picture. The budget increased, and the picture was re-titled, becoming the Technicolor super-spectacular “Bathing Beauty” (in TCM Spotlight’s first Collection). The film was an international smash, and even though Skelton got top billing, it was Esther Williams who walked away with the movie. Williams went on to become one of the biggest movie stars of the era and over the next decade; she captivated audiences in nearly 20 films. As her popularity soared -- she was among the top ten box office stars in 1949 and 1950 – MGM created a special group of movies called “Aqua Musicals,” making her swimming sequences more complex and elaborate with each new picture, adding everything from trapezes to fiery hoops. Ms. Williams also tried her hand at drama with good performances in films like “The Unguarded Moment,” “Raw Wind in Eden” and “The Big Show.” But she ultimately went back to the water, starring in several TV aquacade spectaculars and acting as spokeswoman for her own swimming-pool company. She retired in 1961 to devote her time to husband Fernando Lamas, her children (including stepson Lorenzo Lamas) and her many business activities. She was rarely seen in public during those years, and was conspicuously absent from the reunion of MGM stars in 1974 participating in the release of “That’s Entertainment!,” the box-office blockbuster that featured a whole sequence around Esther’s films. Interest in Esther remained high, but she remained out of the public eye until Lamas’ death in 1982. She finally came back to the entertainment world in 1984, when ABC asked her to help provide commentary for the aquatic events at the Los Angeles Olympics, much to the delight of her many fans. The success of her classic films on home video and cable television introduced Esther to a whole new audience, and in 1994, she returned to MGM to serve as one of the hosts in the critically-acclaimed “That’s Entertainment! III.” Note: All enhanced content listed above is subject to change. With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment. Turner Classic Movies is a Peabody Award-winning network celebrating 15 years of presenting great films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film library in the world. Currently seen in more than 80 million homes, TCM features the insights of veteran primetime host Robert Osborne and weekend daytime host Ben Mankiewicz, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests. As the foremost authority in classic films, TCM offers critically acclaimed original documentaries and specials, along with regular programming events that include “The Essentials,” “31 Days of Oscar” and “Summer Under the Stars.” TCM also produces a wide range of media about classic film, including books and DVDs, along with hosting a wealth of materials at its Web site, www.tcm.com. TCM is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.# # #
• 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 Technicolor® 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 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 including
-
“Why Is Love So Crazy”
“Sea of the Moon”
“Tahiti Version One”
“Tahiti Version Two”
“Music on the Water Version One”
“Music on the Water Version Two”
“The House of the Singing Bamboo”
• Classic M-G-M short subject “Curious Contests” (1950)
• Original theatrical trailer About Esther Williams Born in Los Angeles in 1921, Esther was the youngest of five children. As a teenager, she was determined to become a world champion swimmer, and by the age of 15 had already set records at such events as the Women's Outdoor Nationals and the Pacific Coast Championships. When the 1940 Olympics were cancelled because it was wartime, Williams went to work for Billy Rose's San Francisco Aquacade. An MGM scout spotted her there and offered her a contract, resulting in her screen debut in 1942 as Mickey Rooney’s love interest in “Andy Hardy’s Double Life.” Hoping that a swimming star could surpass a skating queen (Fox’s Sonja Henie), MGM began grooming Miss Williams for the future by completely restructuring her third film. Filming began in 1943 under the title “Mr. Co-Ed,” starring Red Skelton as the title character. Early into production, producer Jack Cummings realized his leading lady was stealing the picture. The budget increased, and the picture was re-titled, becoming the Technicolor super-spectacular “Bathing Beauty” (in TCM Spotlight’s first Collection). The film was an international smash, and even though Skelton got top billing, it was Esther Williams who walked away with the movie. Williams went on to become one of the biggest movie stars of the era and over the next decade; she captivated audiences in nearly 20 films. As her popularity soared -- she was among the top ten box office stars in 1949 and 1950 – MGM created a special group of movies called “Aqua Musicals,” making her swimming sequences more complex and elaborate with each new picture, adding everything from trapezes to fiery hoops. Ms. Williams also tried her hand at drama with good performances in films like “The Unguarded Moment,” “Raw Wind in Eden” and “The Big Show.” But she ultimately went back to the water, starring in several TV aquacade spectaculars and acting as spokeswoman for her own swimming-pool company. She retired in 1961 to devote her time to husband Fernando Lamas, her children (including stepson Lorenzo Lamas) and her many business activities. She was rarely seen in public during those years, and was conspicuously absent from the reunion of MGM stars in 1974 participating in the release of “That’s Entertainment!,” the box-office blockbuster that featured a whole sequence around Esther’s films. Interest in Esther remained high, but she remained out of the public eye until Lamas’ death in 1982. She finally came back to the entertainment world in 1984, when ABC asked her to help provide commentary for the aquatic events at the Los Angeles Olympics, much to the delight of her many fans. The success of her classic films on home video and cable television introduced Esther to a whole new audience, and in 1994, she returned to MGM to serve as one of the hosts in the critically-acclaimed “That’s Entertainment! III.” Note: All enhanced content listed above is subject to change. With operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment. Turner Classic Movies is a Peabody Award-winning network celebrating 15 years of presenting great films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film library in the world. Currently seen in more than 80 million homes, TCM features the insights of veteran primetime host Robert Osborne and weekend daytime host Ben Mankiewicz, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests. As the foremost authority in classic films, TCM offers critically acclaimed original documentaries and specials, along with regular programming events that include “The Essentials,” “31 Days of Oscar” and “Summer Under the Stars.” TCM also produces a wide range of media about classic film, including books and DVDs, along with hosting a wealth of materials at its Web site, www.tcm.com. TCM is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.