TEXAS CARNIVAL

US, 1951, 77 minutes, Colour.
Esther Williams, Howard Keel, Red Skelton, Ann Miller, Keenan Wynn, Paula Raymond.
Directed by Charles Walters.

Texas Carnival is an enjoyable innocuous little musical comedy from M.G.M. in the early fifties using their stock company for a rather relaxing small budget film. Esther Williams gets some rather strange chances to swim. Howard Keel in an early role sings as usual. There are some funny Red Skelton routines and Ann Miller gets a chance to dance. Direction is by Charles Walters, the choreographer who had made such films as Easter Parade and who went on to success with such films as 'Lily', 'The Tender Trap', 'High Society'.

1. An entertaining musical comedy in the M.G.M. tradition, with the M.G.M. stars?

2. The conventions of the M.G.M. musical Howard Keel's singing, the romantic songs, Ann Miller and Red Skelton with comic songs and dances? The Texas songs and dancing? The swimming routines and the opportunity for Esther Williams in the pool, in Slim's imagination? Red Skelton and his comedy routines, for example with the boots, with the cigarette, the chuck wagon race?

3. Colour photography, musical choreography, style?

4. How important was the plot - an an excuse for the comedy and the songs and the romance? The humour of the irony of mistaken identity, from poverty to wealth and the happy ending? The fairytale elements in the American style?

5. Debbie, the Esther Williams type - work in the carnival, caution, exasperated at Connie, falling in love, the happy ending? Slim as the conventional hero - the singing cowhand, gallant hero? Connie as the Red Skelton type, the comedy routines in the carnival, the friendship with Danny Sabinas? The mistaken identities, coping with the situations especially Sunshine, the chuck wagon? Sunshine as the good-hearted gold-digger with the sheriff father?

6. The effect of the supporting cast especially the sheriff with his drawing of the gun, Danny Sabinas and his drunken friendship, the routines and his return to his room with the shower and the curtain, his severity when sober? His sister and her co-operation? The Texas cattlemen and the association?

7. The comedy routines in the carnival, in the hotel, at the fireside and the Texan dances and meals, at the chuck wagon race?

8. The presuppositions about good, heroes and heroines, wealth, happy endings?