Esther Williams plays a swimming teacher who marries a rich guy after a whirlwind courtship. But he abandons her on their honeymoon to go tend to business matters, leaving her to fall in love with soldier Van Johnson. Lackluster vehicle for Esther and Van. Esther in Technicolor is radiant, as always. The scenes of her in a bathing suit are among the film's highlights. Van does fine with a role he could sleepwalk through. The nice supporting cast includes Spring Byington, Henry Travers, and Frances Gifford. Carleton G. Young plays the reptilian-looking husband. There was something off-putting about this guy from the first time I saw him. He really crept me out. The romance is tepid and I often found myself waiting for the next musical number, some of which are by Tommy Dorsey's orchestra (which I like) and others are opera (which I didn't like). See it for Esther or the music, if you must, but keep expectations low. It's pretty forgettable and corny.

Great wartime escapism. The movie trailer states the boys overseas are going to get to see the film too. One look at Esther Williams in a bathing suit and I'll bet our GI's could wind up the war the next day. Nothing taxing here, just glossy glamor MGM style with a one-note plot thrown in. Williams and Johnson make an ideal movie couple, and of course we know they'll end up together even if it takes an hour and a half. It's still early in our mermaid's career so there's little signature water ballet, but she does do some acrobatic diving that almost gave this old guy a backache. And, surprise, operatic tenor Melchior not only does some highbrow singing, but shows he can handle dialog too. It's the kind of jocular cupid role that "Cuddles" Szakall usually got in these romantic bon-bons. Actually, I was hoping for more featured swing numbers form Dorsey's band, but at least Buddy Rich gets a mind-bending drum solo. Anyhow, if you're looking for some slick eye and ear entertainment with absolutely no demands on the brain, then catch up with this picture postcard that MGM did best.

Thrill of a Romance is such a VERY nice film. I watched it last night and totally enjoyed this cute and entertaining film. Nice swimming scenes with both Esther and Van together. Wonderful diving from Esther in this film and the music was wonderful.This film is a wonderful way to end any romantic evening. MonaK

It is difficult to discern the main theme of this film because the script is in itself confusing. Most likely it has to do with the extraordinary number of hasty marriages which took place in America during World War Two. The problems surrounding such marriages seemed insurmountable. For example, need marriages of convenience be honored as Cynthia Glenn (Esther Williams) attempts to do when her husband goes to Washington for a week-long meeting during their Honeymoon? Tens of thousands of real life soldiers did in fact leave their new wives shortly after the ceremony, many times leaving unresolved domestic problems as well. Cynthia, a swimming instructor, falls in love with a Major Milvaine (Van Johnson) the non-swimmer, and the complication begins. The value of this film is that a Homefront problem is addressed within the frame of fairly good acting by both Johnson and Williams. Can Cynthia keep swimming with the Major without sinking her marriage?