THIS TIME FOR KEEPS (1947)

This Time for Keeps (1947) Romantic/ musical. Cast: Esther Williams, Jimmy Durante, Johnnie Johnston and Lauritz Melchior. Director: Richard Thorpe. The film was shot in color on location at the Grand Hotel, on Mackinac Island in Michigan. This Time for Keeps became the second film in which William's name was first billed above the title, after Fiesta.

The season opening of the opera happens at the same time with opera star Richard Herald's son Dick Johnson returns from the war.. Dick, also an opera singer, goes to a pool party held in honor of returning servicemen and meets Leonora "Nora" Cambaretti, a water ballet dancer. Nora, who performed for Dick and other wounded soldiers in Europe, does not remember the day he planted a kiss on her lips, but Dick remembers the kiss very well. Not knowing that Dick is the son of a famous opera star, Nora, asks friend Xavier Cugat to give him a job at his nightclub. Nora also does not know that Dick's father expects him to marry Frances Allenbury, a childhood friend. Nora and Dick travel to Mackinac Island, to visit Grandma Cambaretti. Nora's grandmother instantly approves of Dick, but the wedding plans are called off when Nora hears from Ferdi that newspapers have announced Dick and Frances' engagement. Believing that Dick has been deceiving her, Nora leaves Mackinac Island and returns home. Dick learns that his father and Frances placed the engagement announcement in the newspapers. Will Dick ever convince Nora That his father was the one to sabotage their relationship?

I thought this film was very entertaining. Esther Williams water scenes are very glamorous. Jimmy Durante was very charming in his fatherly type role. Johnny Johnston, He sings well, but just doesn't have the stuff leading men are made of, in my book. Then there's Dame May Whitty, you will remember her from Hitchcock's THE LADY VANISHES, playing Esther's grandmother.

FUN FACT:

Anne Francis' film debut.

Soundtracks:

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"I Love to Dance"
(uncredited)
Music by Burton Lane
Lyrics by Ralph Freed
Played by Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra
Sung by Lina Romay
Danced by Tommy Wonder

I'm the Man Who Found the Lost Chord"
(uncredited)
Written by Jimmy Durante and Earl K. Brent
Performed by Jimmy Durante

"La donna è mobile"
(uncredited)
from "Rigoletto"
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave
Sung by Lauritz Melchior

"A Little Bit This and a Little Bit That"
(uncredited)
Written and Performed by Jimmy Durante

"Inka Dinka Doo"
(uncredited)
Written and Performed by Jimmy Durante

"Easy to Love"
(uncredited)
Written by Cole Porter

"Why Don't They Let Me Sing a Love Song?"
(uncredited)
Written by Harry Akst and Benny Davis

"Little Big Shot"
Written by Harry Akst and Benny Davis

"M'Appari"
(uncredited)
from "Martha"
Music by Friedrich von Flotow
Libretto by Friedrich Wilhelm Riese
Sung by Lauritz Melchior

"Ten Percent Off"
(uncredited)
Music by Sammy Fain
Lyrics by Ralph Freed

"S'No Wonder They Fell in Love"
(uncredited)
Music by Sammy Fain
Lyrics by Ralph Freed

"I'll Be with You in Apple Blossom Time"
(uncredited)
Music by Albert von Tilzer
Lyrics by Neville Fleeson

"Ora è per sempre addio"
(uncredited)
from "Otello"
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Libretto by Arrigo Boito
Sung by Lauritz Melchior

"When It's Lilac Time on Mackinac Island"
(uncredited)
Written by Lesley Kirk

"Chiquita Banana"
(uncredited)
Written by Leonard McKenzie, Garth Montgomery and William Wirges

"Un poquito de Amor"
(uncredited)
Music by Raoul Soler
Lyrics by Ralph Freed