ON AN ISLAND WITH YOU (1948)

If you are an Esther Williams fan you will love this movie. It is one of my favorites. Williams and Lawford are wonderful together and so are Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse. Especially during their beautiful dance numbers. If you love happy and romantic musicals you'll love this movie. And don't forget.. we get to see Esther doing what she does best in beautiful water performances.

ON AN ISLAND WITH YOU (1948) , Ricardo Montez(Ricardo Montalban), is playing the part of a Navy man in love with a Polynesian woman, played by his fiancee, Rosalind (Esther Williams). They hired Lawrence a Navy Lieutenant (Peter Lawford), as technical adviser, to help the director on the film's authenticity. During the filming of one of Rosalind and Ricardo's love scenes, Larry interrupts the shooting to take the opportunity to kiss Rosalind .

That evening, at the Royal Aloha hotel, the cast and crew attend a nightclub show performed by Xavier Cugat and his orchestra. Larry, finds another opportunity to get close to Rosalind, and asks her to dance. She refuses thinking that he is too forward.

The next day, Larry is to circle the set once in an airplane with Rosalind on board, but he flies the plane to the tropical island where they first met. Larry wants one dance with her before he returns her to the set. Rosalind, says she will kiss him to prove that she has no feelings for him, but the kiss shows that she is an attracted to Larry. When Larry and Rosalind return to the airplane, they find that the wheels and other parts have been stolen by the islanders. The two set out to find the natives village, but become separated. Will they be rescued before the natives have them for dinner? (wink/wink)

I love the dance numbers with Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse. Cyd Charisse completed the bulk of this film (most impressively in two romantic dance duets with Ricardo Montalban,) then broke her leg during the filming of the big ceremonial dance. A double completed her scenes.

In an interview on TCM Cyd Charisse, stated that she neglected to warm up one day on set due to being late. Jumping from one level to another and on the third level she felt one of her knees completely rip and tear all the ligaments.

Sound Tracks:
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"On an Island with You"
(uncredited)
Music by Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics by Edward Heyman
Sung by a chorus during the opening credits
Also performed by Ricardo Montalban (dubbed by Bill Lee) during the opening scene

"The Dog Song"
(uncredited)
Music by Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics by Edward Heyman
Performed by Xavier Cugat and Betty Reilly accompanied by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra

"Anchors Aweigh"
(uncredited)
Music by Charles A. Zimmerman
Played briefly in the barbershop and occasionally in the score
Played when the navy men come into the club

"I Can't Get Along Without Broadway"
(uncredited)
Written by Jimmy Durante, Nacio Herb Brown and Edward Heyman
Performed by Jimmy Durante accompanied by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra

"Takin' Miss Mary to the Ball"
(uncredited)
Music by Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics by Edward Heyman
Performed by Jimmy Durante accompanied by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra

"The Beauty Hula"
(uncredited)
Music by Johnny Noble and John K. Almeida
Lyrics by John La Touche
Performed by the band and dancers when Buckley and Kingslee first arrive at the Hawaiian club

"Anapau"
(uncredited)
Written by Johnny Noble
Performed by the band and dancers when Buckley and Kingslee get their drinks at the Hawaiian club

"The Pagan Mask"
(uncredited)
Music by André Previn
Danced by Cyd Charisse and ensemble accompanied by the studio orchestra and chorus

"The Wedding Samba"
(uncredited)
Written by Abe Ellstein, Joseph Liebowitz and Allan Small
Performed by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra

"I'll Do the Strut-Away (In My Cutaway)"
(uncredited)
Written by Harry Donnelly, Jimmy Durante and Irving Caesar
Performed by Jimmy Durante accompanied by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra

"If I Were You"
(uncredited)
Music by Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics by Edward Heyman
Performed by the studio orchestra and chorus during the dream sequence

"You Gotta Start Off Each Day with a Song"
(uncredited)
Written by Jimmy Durante
Performed by Jimmy Durante on vocals and piano

"All Aboard"
(uncredited)
Music by André Previn
Water ballet number with Esther Williams and ensemble on boards

"El Cumbanchero"
(uncredited)
Written by Rafael Hernández
Performed by Betty Reilly accompanied by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra

"Não Tenho Lágrimas"
(uncredited)
Written by Max Bulhões and Milton de Oliveira
Performed by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra

"Nightingale"
Written by Xavier Cugat, Fred Wise and George Rosner
Performed by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra