SKIRTS AHOY
US, 1952, 109 minutes, Colour.
Esther Williams, Joan Evans, Vivian Blaine, Barry Sullivan, Keefe Brasselle, Billy Eckstine, Dean Miller, Margalo Gillmore, The De Marco Sisters.
Directed by Sidney Lanfield.
Skirts Ahoy will be enjoyed by Esther Williams fans. Once again she is full of energy, vivacious, a strong screen presence – whether out of the water or in the water (which she is several times in this film with occasions concocted by Esther herself and the producers – including some underwater swimming with two young children).
However, the film will be enjoyed mainly by those who like the old films from the golden years of Hollywood. It is particularly out of date at this time. It represents the post-war interest in the armed services, the anticommunist feeling of the period. While it does have some emphasis on women’s role in the armed forces, there is a song about women needing men as well as a final speech by the commander who stresses the aspect of women and the development of friendship in the navy – rather than any feminist stance.
That being said, it is a cheerful movie with somebody saying that the navy looks something like an entertainment event. There are musical numbers, swimming episodes, romance, and a very different atmosphere regarding discipline in training from a film like Private Benjamin.
The supporting cast is bright, especially Vivian Blaine (from Fox musicals as well as Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls) with Barry Sullivan giving a solid presence as the lieutenant commander doctor on the base. There are episodes with Billy Eckstine singing in a restaurant and an impromptu item at a navy concert, introduced by Keenan Wynn, with Debbie Reynolds and Bobby Van doing a variation on Abba Dabba Honeymoon.
This is the kind of musical and comedy entertainment that was very popular in the early 1950s, done with MGM panache and style?
1. An entertainment for Esther Williams fans? For those who like the golden years of Hollywood? MGM musicals?
2. The brightness of the film, colour, musical score, songs and dances, guest stars? The swimming episodes? The thin plot?
3. The title, women in the navy, the armed forces? The role of women and the changes after World War Two? The intimations of coming feminism? Yet the acceptance of the relationships between women and men and the dominance of men? Esther Williams’ character as more assertive than usual and her encouragement of her friends?
4. The introduction to the three characters, Mary Kate and her being abandoned before the wedding, Whitney Young and her not going through the wedding? Una Yancy and her missing out on her boyfriend? The decision of the three to join the navy?
5. The traditional films about joining the navy, arrival, the speeches, the marching, the rooms and bunks, the friendship, the women together? Whitney and her arriving late, her discussions with Commander Stauton? The easing into the life?
6. Up in the morning, the drills, the work? The comedy about the water for the work and the song and dance routine? Comic style?
7. Mary Kate, homesick? The decision of Una and Whitney to help? The discovery that people could be sent home because of homesickness? Whitney and her plea to the board? The irony of Dick turning up, Mary Kate’s antagonism towards him, their discussions, his fondness for her? His thinking that she was indecisive and weak, determining her resolution, deciding to stay?
8. Dick, abandoning Mary Kate at the altar, coming to visit? His sudden arrival in the navy, singing the song at the dance? His apology to Mary Kate, their dancing together? Happy ending?
9. Una, trying to get in touch with her boyfriend? His being in other places? The finale and her getting her posting, his arriving and she going? Everything rectified for a happy ending?
10. Whitney and Pop, the issue of the lollipops (and the ending with the De Marco Sisters all throwing their lollipops down the drain)? His friendship with Whitney, appreciating her kindness, the discussions, giving her advice, dancing with her, the farewell?
11. The three girls going into town for leave after being given special permission? Paul Elcott and arrival, discussions with the previous doctor, the wariness about the women’s community at the base? The girls in town, finishing up at the same restaurant, the song and dance routine? Their finding the club, changing from male-only? Their seeing Paul, his being in mufti, offering the cigarette lighters? Whitney and her discussions with Paul, his response, the audience knowing what was happening but Whitney not? The dinner, the military women and their reactions, Whitney and the comeuppance? Being hauled in, Paul coming as a witness for her, explaining the situation away, her gratitude? His reading her file, her running away from marriages? His stern reaction? The distance between them, Whitney and her mooning around at the dance? Her deciding to confront Paul, the truth, her apology? His change of heart? At the station, in love with her? Arrangements for the future?
12. A popular piece of popular entertainment – very much of the 50s?
