Duchess of Idaho

Director: Robert Z. Leonard Robert Z. Leonard

Overview

This formula Esther Williams musical casts the star as Midwestern carnival swimmer Christine Duncan, in love with bandleader Dick Layn (Van Johnson). Attempting to smooth the course of romance for her friend Ellen Hallet (Paula Raymond), Christine makes a play for Ellen's wealthy boss Douglas J. Morrissen, Jr. (John Lund). Ellen wants to protect Douglas from fortune hunters, so Christine pretends to be a fortune hunter, so that he'll appreciate anew how much Ellen cares for him. Confused? So is Dick, who can't fathom Christine's bizarre behavior. If for nothing else, Duchess of Idaho is memorable as the "comeback" picture for dancing star Eleanor Powell, who has just as little to do as her fellow guest stars Lena Horne and (unbilled) Red Skelton. Watch for Amanda Gunsmoke Blake and Dick Sergeant Preston Simmons in supporting roles.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/01/2011
UPC:	0883316395738
Original Release:	1950
Source:	Warner Archives
Region Code:	A
Sound:	[monaural]
Language:	English
Time:	1:38:00
Sales rank:	30,542

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Esther Williams	Christine Riverton Duncan
John Lund	Douglas J. Morrison
Van Johnson	Dick Layne,Pullman Porter
Paula Raymond	Ellen Hallit
Clinton Sundberg	Matson
Connie Haines	Peggy Elliott
Mel Torme	Cyril
Amanda Blake	Linda Kinston
Tommy Farrell	Chuck
Sig Arno	Mons. Le Blanche
Richard Simmons	Alec J. Collins,Alec J. Collins
Lena Horne	Guest Star
Eleanor Powell	Guest Star
Red Skelton	Guest Star
Charles Smith	Johnny,Johnny
Roger Moore	Escort
Bunny Waters	Marsha
Dorothy Douglas	Eleanor
John Trebach	Waiter
Suzanne Ridgway	Cleo
Larry Steers	Man at Table
Harold Miller	Man at Table
Allan Ray	Elevator Man
Mae Clark	Betty, the flower girl

Technical Credits

Jerry Davis

Robert Z. Leonard	Director
Joe Pasternak	Producer
Jerry Davis	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

The Duchess of Idaho is a lesser Esther Williams vehicle, and while it's certainly painless, it's also a film best appreciated by members of her fan club. Duchess of Idaho finds Williams moving into situation comedy territory, "best friend" division -- meaning that there's a complicated (and fairly far-fetched) plot in which Williams will go through a pointless charade in order to win a man for her roommate and pal. This kind of thing works better on the small screen where it can be condensed into a breezy half-hour; onscreen it takes more precision and invention to pull this thing off for an hour and a half, and the writers fall down on the job here. It's not all their fault, as they have a mandate to find room for a couple of water ballets, a number of irrelevant specialty acts and a bit of Sun Valley scenery, all of which gets in the way of both plot and pacing. Still, those water ballets are certainly something (featuring a bit more "dry land" dancing than is normal) and the cutaway numbers by Lena Horne and Eleanor Powell are keepers. Plus, there's Williams, not a great actress but a pleasant personality, who's fun to be with here and the always entertaining Van Johnson. Duchess is hardly cinematic royalty, but it's genial good fun.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler