Frederick Kellerman (Walter Pidgeon) teaches music in 1900 Sydney, Australia. As a sickly girl, his daughter Annette is desperate to swim. She swims every day and gains strength. As a young woman, she (Esther Williams) becomes a champion swimmer. Frederick accepts a teaching position in London. Onboard the ship, they encounter American promoter James Sullivan (Victor Mature), assistant Doc Cronnol, and their boxing kangaroo Sydney.
This is fine as a biopic. The swimsuit kerfuffle is fun. Mostly, the plot is one incident after another without a big destination other than the romance. The plot does meander around. The drama has to be her and Jimmy. It's not that much of a drama since they are inevitable. There is a love triangle, but it's perfunctory like much of the plot. Esther Williams is fine as an actress. As always, she is best in the water. I actually like her performing in a carnival sideshow. Of course, an Esther Williams film is always going to do some big water shows. Those are nice little breaks. All in all, this has some limits as a story and it's fine for Esther Williams fans.
This is fine as a biopic. The swimsuit kerfuffle is fun. Mostly, the plot is one incident after another without a big destination other than the romance. The plot does meander around. The drama has to be her and Jimmy. It's not that much of a drama since they are inevitable. There is a love triangle, but it's perfunctory like much of the plot. Esther Williams is fine as an actress. As always, she is best in the water. I actually like her performing in a carnival sideshow. Of course, an Esther Williams film is always going to do some big water shows. Those are nice little breaks. All in all, this has some limits as a story and it's fine for Esther Williams fans.