Neptune's Daughter (1949)

65% of users liked it
(189 ratings)

Esther Williams and Red Skelton share equal screen time for once in the MGM Technicolor musical Neptune's Daughter. The title character is, of course, Williams, here cast as Eve Barrett, a bathing-suit manufacturer (and sometimes model). Skelton plays Jack Spratt, the masseur at a fancy polo club,… More Esther Williams and Red Skelton share equal screen time for once in the MGM Technicolor musical Neptune's Daughter. The title character is, of course, Williams, here cast as Eve Barrett, a bathing-suit manufacturer (and sometimes model). Skelton plays Jack Spratt, the masseur at a fancy polo club, who falls for Eve's sister (Betty Garrett). To prove worthy of her love, Jack poses as dashing Latin polo star Jose O'Rourke (Ricardo Montalban), resulting in a wealth of comic complications. The slapstick setpieces include a hilarious horse-mounting routine and a climactic set-to between Skelton and petty crook Mike Mazurki; there's also a few inspired moments from Mel Blanc, cast as a slow-talking Mexican. While Xavier Cugat is on hand as "himself," the film's musical high point is the Oscar-winning Baby It's Cold Outside, performed first by Williams and Montalban and then by Skelton and Garrett. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Edward Buzzell
Written By: Dorothy Kingsley
Genres: Romance, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1949 Wide
On DVD: Jul 17, 2007
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The best of the Esther Williams swim-musicals is just bubbly.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
The movie ends with a big, splashy water show, and what else would you expect?
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Although it hasn't much story (or many good jokes), its characters and music are appealing.

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

back in the day exotic was exotic, forget where it came from, and so in this song and dance marathon south american/african culture is mixed with polynesian/asian for a seamless exotic faraway feel. and why team esther so many times with latin leading men? there must be an answer,… More
back in the day exotic was exotic, forget where it came from, and so in this song and dance marathon south american/african culture is mixed with polynesian/asian for a seamless exotic faraway feel. and why team esther so many times with latin leading men? there must be an answer, but who gives a toot anyway. a fun time, some nice tunes, and, as ever, xavier cugat and his orchestra in a zany, convuluted, sycopated and choreographed...number, zowie! look for the man of a thousand voices in a bit comic part, too.

Cast

            Esther Williams as Eve Barrett

            Red Skelton as Jack Spratt

            Ricardo Montalban as Jose O'Rourke

            Betty Garrett as Betty Barnett

            Keenan Wynn as Joe Beckett

            Xavier Cugat as Himself

            Ted de Corsia as Lukie Luzette

            Mike Mazurki as Mac Mazolla

            Mel Blanc as Julio

            Juan Duval as Groom

            George Mann as Tall Wrangler

            Frank Mitchell as Little Wrangler

            Dorothy Abbott
            
            Sue Casey
            
            Charles "Heinie" Conklin
            
            Theresa Harris as Matilda

            Dell Henderson as Man

            Joi Lansing as Linda

            Lillian Molieri as Cigarette Girl

            Matt Moore as Official

            Dewey Robinson
            
            Carl Saxe as Announcer

            Henry Sylvester as Headwaiter

            Pierre Watkin as Mr. Canford

            Roque Ybarra as Groom

            Clarence Hennecke as Gardner

            Bette Arlen
            
            Harold Kruger as Coach

            Diane Gump
            
            Kay Mansfield as Woman

            Dick Simmons as Mr. Magoo

            Michael Jordan as Henchman
See full cast