Neptune's Daughter (1949)

A swimsuit fashion designer is determined to protect her scatterbrained sister from a South American heart-breaker, but a case of mistaken identity complicates matters.

Director:

Edward Buzzell

Writers:

Dorothy Kingsley (screenplay), Ray Singer (additional dialogue)

Stars:

Esther Williams, Red Skelton, Ricardo Montalban

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Esther Williams	...	Eve Barrett
Red Skelton	...	Jack Spratt
Ricardo Montalban	...	José O'Rourke
Betty Garrett	...	Betty Barrett
Keenan Wynn	...	Joe Backett
Xavier Cugat	...	Xavier Cugat
Ted de Corsia	...	Lukie Luzette
Mike Mazurki	...	Mac Mozolla
Mel Blanc	...	Pancho
George Mann	...	Tall Wrangler
Frank Mitchell	...	Little Wrangler

Storyline

Scatterbrained Betty Barrett mistakes masseur Jack Spratt for Jose O'Rourke, the captain of the South American polo team. Spratt goes along with the charade, but the situation becomes more complicated when they fall in love. Meanwhile, Betty's sensible older sister Eve fears Betty's heart will be broken when Jose returns to South America. She arranges to meet with the real O'Rourke and love soon blossoms between them as well.

---

Plot Keywords:

slapstick comedy | womanizer | polo player | mistaken identity | bare chested male | 

---

Taglines:

Queen of TECHNICOLOR MUSICALS!

---

Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance | Sport

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

Neptune's Daughter

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Normally hairy-chested Ricardo Montalban was forced to submit to a body wax for his shirtless scenes in this film.

---

Goofs

Throughout the movie Mel Blanc's character is referred to as Julio, but in the cast credits at the end of the film his name is Pancho.

---

Quotes

Betty Barrett: Actually, I have a date with him
[Red Skelton]
Betty Barrett: tonight.
Eve Barrett: Can't you get in enough trouble here without going below the border?

---

Connections

Referenced in Good Morning Britain: Episode dated 5 December 2018 (2018)

---

Soundtracks

On a Slow Boat to China
Written by Frank Loesser
Performed as instrumental scoring for bathing suit fashion sequence

User Reviews

It may have been cold outside, but watching 'Neptune's Daughter' left me feeling warm inside

While not a great film, and it won't be for all tastes, 'Neptune's Daughter' was to me an entertaining film that ticked most of the right boxes.

'Neptune's Daughter' is at its weakest in the story department, where the silly and thin mistaken-identity story is purely functional at best, where a few parts border on the improbable. Keenan Wynn is given little to do and his acting and narration felt like they belonged in another (darker) film because they seemed at odds here. Most of the comedy is a lot of good-natured fun, but some falls flat due to being overdone somewhat.

However, 'Neptune's Daughter' is a beautiful-looking film, with opulent use of colour, handsome cinematography and elegant costumes and sets. The songs and music are pleasant and energetic, "Baby It's Cold Outside" being one of the most deserving wins in the Best Song category though Red Skelton and Betty Garrett's number with Xavier Cugat is a delight too.

While not all the comedy works, most of it does and in a way that's genuinely amusing and good-natured. The highlight is Skelton and Garrett's first date in her apartment, a hilarious scene and beautifully played and executed. The staging for the songs is suitably spirited and always pleasing visually, though while the big water ballet is beautifully photographed and performed and fun it wasn't quite the "aqua spectacular" that was expected, just lacking the continuous energy and imagination of the best Esther Williams water ballets.

Esther Williams is very charming and brightens up the screen whether in or out of the water, while Ricardo Montalban is suave, devilishly handsome and full of energy and charisma. Red Skelton seems to be really enjoying himself and is very funny, a riot even in his best bits, and bubbly Betty Garrett enchants the viewer from the moment she's introduced to her last second. Look out also for a rare live-action appearance from the immortal voice actor Mel Blanc, in case you don't spot him he's the mustachioed guy that sounds exactly like Speedy Gonzales.

In conclusion, a very enjoyable film that did make me feel warm inside, though it is not masterpiece status. 7/10 Bethany Cox