Thrill of a Romance

Van Johnson 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
Time:	1:45:00
Sales rank:	28,415

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Van Johnson	Maj. Thomas Milvaine
Esther Williams	Cynthia Glenn
Frances Gifford	Maude Bancroft
Henry Travers	Hobart Glenn
Spring Byington	Nona Glenn
Lauritz Melchior	Nils Knudsen
Carleton Young	Robert G. Delbar
Ethel Griffies	Mrs. Fenway
Donald Curtis	K.O. Karny
Jerry Scott	Lyonel
Fernando Alvarado	Julio
Helene Stanley	Susan
Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra	Actor
Vince Barnett	Oscar
Jack Baxley	Detective
Virginia Brissac	Secretary
Douglas Cowan	Actor
Xavier Cugat	Actor
Henry Daniels	Actor
Frank Ferguson	Actor
Arno Frey	Headwaiter
Ray Goulding	Dance Extra
Thurston Hall	J.P. Bancroft
Stuart Holmes	Chess Player
Billy House	Dr. Tove
Selmar Jackson	Hotel Clerk
King Sisters	Specialty
Tim Murdock	Naval Ensign
Alex Novinsky	Actor
Robert E. O'Connor	Mr. Vemmering
Dagmar Oakland	Guest at Reception
Jean Porter	Ga-ga Bride
Jack Shea	Donald Curtis' Diving Double
Pierre Watkin	Tycoon
Carli Elinor	Gypsy Orchestra Leader
Dick Earle	Mr. Carter
Wally Boag	Actor
Joe Sullivan	Canadian Flier

Technical Credits

Richard Connell

Gladys Lehman

Richard Thorpe	Director
George Boemler	Editor
Richard Connell	Screenwriter
Cedric Gibbons	Art Director
Irene	Costumes/Costume Designer
Gladys Lehman	Screenwriter
Joe Pasternak	Producer
Hans Peters	Art Director
George Stoll	Score Composer,Musical Direction/Supervision
Harry Stradling	Cinematographer

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