Thrill of a Romance (1945)

A swim teacher and a wealthy businessman are married after a brief courtship. A charming war hero falls in love with this newly-married woman, after her husband abandons her on their honeymoon for the sake of a business meeting.

Director:

Richard Thorpe

Writers:

Richard Connell (original screenplay), Gladys Lehman (original screenplay)

Stars:

Van Johnson, Esther Williams, Frances Gifford

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Van Johnson	...	Maj. Thomas Milvaine
Esther Williams	...	Cynthia Glenn
Frances Gifford	...	Maude Bancroft
Henry Travers	...	Hobart Glenn
Spring Byington	...	Nona Glenn
Lauritz Melchior	...	Mr. Nils Knudsen
Carleton G. Young	...	Robert G. Delbar
Ethel Griffies	...	Mrs. Fenway
Donald Curtis	...	K.O. Karny
Jerry Scott	...	Lyonel
Fernando Alvarado	...	Julio
Helene Stanley	...	Susan
Vince Barnett	...	Oscar
Billy House	...	Dr. Tovve
Joan Fay Macaboy	...	Betty

Storyline

Cynthia is swept off her feet and marries a rich and very successful business executive, but business affairs make him abandon her during their honeymoon. Cynthia is sad and while he's away, meets the charming war hero, Maj. Milvaine, who is on leave. Sparks fly. Will she choose wealth over love?

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Plot Keywords:

businessman | yosemite national park | annulment | whirlwind romance | world war two | 

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Taglines:

Musical bliss with every kiss!

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Genres:

Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

The featured song "Please Don't Say No (Say Maybe)" was recorded by numerous singers in the late 1940s.

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Goofs

When Cynthia and Thomas are lost in the woods she lies down to sleep and she has his jacket over one shoulder. He reaches down and pulls the jacket all the way over her. They cut to him and then back to her and the jacket is still only over one shoulder.

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Connections

Referenced in Forecast (1945)

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Soundtracks

Battle of the Balcony Jive
(uncredited)
Music by Dodo Marmarosa
Performed by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra

User Reviews

Beautiful to look at and a charming post-WWII tale

I didn't recognize Esther Williams when I saw her with her hair down, and had to look here to see who the actress was...what a beautiful woman! And the costumes were wonderful, along with the scenery of Yosemite, making this movie the perfect diversion for a lazy Sunday afternoon. The plot was a bit slow, and at today's standards left a lot to the imagination, however the innocence of post-WWII "romance" made this an absolutely charming tale. Van Johnson was good (as always, in my opinion), but the tenor actually stole the show and provided the perfect sounding board for both characters so that we could see that they weren't really philanderers -- just caught up in a difficult situation. My husband and I both enjoyed this movie, and I got a lot of great costume ideas, as well! I recommend this movie to anyone who is nostalgic for a simpler time and doesn't want to have to think too much -- just watch and be entertained!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 November 1945 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Thrill of a New Romance

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,410,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1