Customer Reviews

Jupiter's Darling [VHS]

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was Esther Williams' last film under her MGM contract, and what a send-off! This unique musical is set in ancient Rome, with our heroine romancing Hannibal and saving the fair city of Rome.

Amytis (Esther Williams) is a fair Roman maiden betrothed to the boring Fabius (George Sanders), whom she can't seem to learn to love. In the song "I Have A Dream" she sings of what she wants in life and love. Fabius is not a part of her ideal world.

One day she and her handmaiden (Marge Champion) decide to investigate the camp of Hannibal (Howard Keel), who at first is repelled by her and then falls for her. When Hannibal decides to storm Rome and de-throne Fabius, she uses herself as a bargaining tool to save her home.

Keel and Williams have a great chemistry (they also starred together in PAGAN LOVE SONG and TEXAS CARNIVAL). Full of lilting romance and splendid costumes, JUPITER'S DARLING also stars Richard Haydn, Norma Varden, and some gorgeous Hermes Pan-choreographed numbers with Marge and Gower Champion.

Jupiter's Darling is yet another five star performance for singer/actor Howard Keel. In this tale Keel plays Hannibal(the conqueror)with the usual, but not gruesome, war tales. The twist is that Hannibel falls in love with a beautiful Roman girl, Ester Williams before he can burn Rome. The music is gorgeous and the costumes are amazing. This is one of both Keel and William's finest performances. Five Golden Stars!

This has got to be one of Howard Keel's finest displays of machismo on the screen. I've seen many of his films and have never witnessed the sizzling he-man that he portrayed as Hannibal. For a movie made during an era of conservatism on screen, this film oozed sex-appeal, but in good taste. Not only between Keel and Williams, but Marge and Gower Champion as well. Well done!

This is my favorite Esther Williams film. Based on a 1920's play
called The Road to Rome, the idea was to spoof biblical and ancient
times epics that were popular inthe 1950s. Esther's two major swim
sequences (one with male statues in an underwater grotto coming to
life; the other a thrilling underwater chase/battle) are amazing
and beautiful to behold. George Sanders is always a welcome presence, and Howard Keel is he-man yummy in his body armour. Marge
and Gower Champion lend excellent support, and check out those
technicolored elephants at the end. This film had production troubles and forced Esther to give up her contract at MGM, which is a shame because she and Howard make a great team (both are
physically gorgeous in this) and should have made more films together, but the era of original studio musicals was at an end.

This is such an odd-ball film that I couldn't tear myself away. I think the film makers knew exactly how corny the premise of this film was and captalized on it by spoofing the material. Howard Keel chews the scenery and Marge and Gower Champion are one of the greatest dance teams ever. Esther is Esther, tongue firmly placed in cheek as usual. Best if seen in the letterbox format, which is not available on video, but can be seen on Turner Clasic Movies.

Why, oh WHY isn't this musical on DVD? I thought for sure TCM would include it in the second volume of the Esther Williams genre. It's got the strongest script this side of "Dangerous When Wet" and more sex appeal than the code allowed at the time. The production's gorgeous, it's got the Champions, and some fine underwater photography. It's funny, it's sexy, it's delightful...and it's still not on DVD.

If the music were just a bit better this would be a classic. Keel gets the best song about not trusting women..very riveting. The elephant act with the marvelous Champions and even more marvelous elephants is quite incredible and delightful. Besides a wonderful underwater ballet with statues coming to life is my all time favorite underwater sequence...like a reverie, not that busy Busby Berkley stuff, Esther gets to drive chariots and ride horses. It looks like no expense was spared putting this movie together. Lavish sets, locations, costumes, many, many animals. And Esther's georgeous costumes. A visual delight. Marvelous character actors amd Saunders as the losing suitor. The writing has a lot of sparkle especially the poor historian trying to chronicle Hannibal's campaign. Esther sizzles more than I have ever seen her before when she says to Keel in an incredibly seductive voice, "Yes, I will die,......but not until tomorrow." Keel's damn hot too!!

I loved this movie, Esther Williams is so beautiful and graceful and Howard Keel was great as Hannibal .Marge and Champion Gower's dance with the elephants is wonderful.

Thank you I have been trying to locate this movie for such a long time and I was so happy to find you had it, I was happy but not surprised you have a fantastic site. I just love the old movies and this is one of my favorites. These cold nights and days in Wisconsin are better with a hot chocolate and an old movie.

I truly loved this movie. But then I love any movie with Esther Williams and the swimming scenes in particular.