EASY TO LOVE (1953)

Easy to Love (1953) With the Cole Porter classic as the music title, Esther Williams and Van Johnson star in their fifth film together.

After Julie's (Esther Williams) performance in the water-skiing show, she comes to Ray (Van Johnson) to talk about about her long hours, and wants to quit working for him when he asks her to cancel her plans for that evening.

Ray ignores her wishes, and sends her on a very important job for a LIFE magazine photo shoot, where Julie meets the handsome singer Barry Gordon (Tony Martin), who is also being photographed. During her photo shoot, Barry asks to take the place of the male model, and they become attracted to each other . After the photo shoot, Julie asks Ray to take her to see Barry's nightclub act. Later that evening, Julie gets a call from Barry and they go out dancing. When Barry learns that Julie swims, models and even types for Ray for not much money, he makes an appointment for her to meet Oscar Levenson, who is producing a water follies show. Julie auditions for Oscar, who gives her the job. That afternoon, Julie tells Ray about her new job, Ray pretends that it is OK with him. She starts to feel guilty, and at the last minute, she returns to Florida with him. Ray asks Julie to meet with him that evening. Julie thinks Ray is going to propose. Hank comes by to tell Julie that his father wants him to return to Texas, and she tells him that she is in love with someone else. Hank then rushes into Ray's office and accuses him of stealing his girl friend, and Ray is surprised to hear that Julie is in love with him. That evening, when Julie meets him for dinner, Ray pretends to be talking on the phone with another woman. He then informs Julie that he will double her pay. Julie returns to the resort and is surprised to find Barry sitting at the piano, and when he sings a love song to Julie, Ray becomes jealous. Barry asks Julie to go to Paris with him, but before she can answer, Ray asks Julie to go with him in his boat. When Ray proposes, he finds that Julie had already jumped out of the boat. The next morning, after performing in a spectacular water-skiing show, with dozens of water skiers, ramps, pyramid formations and gushing geysers. Nancy accidentally knocks Julie out with a water ski. By this time I have no idea who loves who.. any who... Who is to rush to her side ?

Fun Facts:

Tony Martin bumps into Cyd Charise (in a cameo), his real-life wife at the time.

Esther Williams was pregnant during the filming of this movie.

Supposedly Esther Williams favorite of her movies.

Sound Tracks:

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"Easy to Love"
Written by Cole Porter
Sung by Tony Martin and played often throughout the picture

"Look Out! I'm Romantic"
Music by Vic Mizzy
Lyrics by Mann Curtis
Sung by Tony Martin

"Didja Ever"
Music by Vic Mizzy
Lyrics by Mann Curtis
Sung by Tony Martin

"That's What a Rainy Day Is For"
Music by Vic Mizzy
Lyrics by Mann Curtis
Sung by Tony Martin and Esther Williams (dubbed by Betty Wand)

"Coquette"
(uncredited)
Music by Carmen Lombardo and Johnny Green
Lyrics by Gus Kahn
Sung by Tony Martin

"What Good Is a Gal? (Without a Guy)"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Played during the scene where Julie is packing for New York

"Tritsch Tratsch Polka, Op. 214"
(uncredited)
Music by Johann Strauß
Played during the clown routine

"Roses from the South (Rosen aus dem Süden, Op. 388)"
(uncredited)
Music by Johann Strauß
Played after the clown routine

"Spring, Beautiful Spring (O Frühling, wie bist du so schön)"
(uncredited)
Written by Paul Lincke
Played during the big water skiing finale