Every year, there are some truly exceptional songs featured in motion pictures.
Disney and Bond films are almost always guaranteed nominations from the Academy in the Best Original Song category, often winning (as "No Time To Die" did last year).
However, there are plenty of songs that have stood the test of time that you may not even know were Oscar-nominated -- or even that they were originally from a film!
Plenty of nominated songs have gone on to outlast tthe films they came from.
Here's a list to remind you how random, enduring, and inclusive the Best Original Song category has been over the decades.
"9 to 5" - 9 to 5 (1980)
Dolly Parton's first Academy Award nomination was for her upbeat ode to the working woman from the film of the same name.
That year, Best Original Song was a tough category, with "Fame" from Fame taking the prize.
Though Parton lost the Oscar,...
Disney and Bond films are almost always guaranteed nominations from the Academy in the Best Original Song category, often winning (as "No Time To Die" did last year).
However, there are plenty of songs that have stood the test of time that you may not even know were Oscar-nominated -- or even that they were originally from a film!
Plenty of nominated songs have gone on to outlast tthe films they came from.
Here's a list to remind you how random, enduring, and inclusive the Best Original Song category has been over the decades.
"9 to 5" - 9 to 5 (1980)
Dolly Parton's first Academy Award nomination was for her upbeat ode to the working woman from the film of the same name.
That year, Best Original Song was a tough category, with "Fame" from Fame taking the prize.
Though Parton lost the Oscar,...
- 2/25/2023
- by Mary Littlejohn
- TVfanatic
Click here to read the full article.
Sara Shane, who starred opposite Gordon Scott in Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure and appeared alongside Clark Gable in The King and Four Queens, has died. She was 94.
Shane died July 31 on the Gold Coast of Australia, her family announced.
Shane also starred with Kathleen Hughes and Marla English in the melodrama Three Bad Sisters (1956) and had the female lead in Affair in Havana (1957), featuring John Cassavetes and Raymond Burr.
With the Jane character absent in the John Guillermin-directed Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure (1959), Shane stepped in to portray Angie Loring, an American model and pilot who meets up with the King of the Jungle in Africa. The film was Scott’s fourth as Tarzan.
And in The King and Four Queens (1956), helmed by Raoul Walsh, Shane played Oralie McDade, one of four young widows — Eleanor Parker, Jean Willes and Barbara Nichols are the others — who...
Sara Shane, who starred opposite Gordon Scott in Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure and appeared alongside Clark Gable in The King and Four Queens, has died. She was 94.
Shane died July 31 on the Gold Coast of Australia, her family announced.
Shane also starred with Kathleen Hughes and Marla English in the melodrama Three Bad Sisters (1956) and had the female lead in Affair in Havana (1957), featuring John Cassavetes and Raymond Burr.
With the Jane character absent in the John Guillermin-directed Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure (1959), Shane stepped in to portray Angie Loring, an American model and pilot who meets up with the King of the Jungle in Africa. The film was Scott’s fourth as Tarzan.
And in The King and Four Queens (1956), helmed by Raoul Walsh, Shane played Oralie McDade, one of four young widows — Eleanor Parker, Jean Willes and Barbara Nichols are the others — who...
- 9/21/2022
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Henry Fonda, actor (1905-82)
Grammy: Best Spoken Word Album, “Great Documents” (1977)
Oscar: Best Actor, “On Golden Pond” (1981)
Tony: Best Actor, “Mister Roberts” (1948); Best Actor, “Clarence Darrow” (1975)
Oscar Hammerstein II, lyricist and producer (1895-1960)
Grammy: Best Original Cast Album, “The Sound of Music” (1960)
Oscar: Best Original Song, “The Last Time I Saw Paris” from “Lady Be Good” (1941); “It Might As Well Be Spring” from “State Fair” (1945)
Tony: Three awards for “South Pacific” (1950); Best Musical, “The King and I” (1952); Best Musical, “The Sound of Music” (1960)
Elton John
Grammy: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group, “That’s What Friends Are For” (1986); Best Instrumental Composition, “Basque” (1991); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (1994); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, “Candle in the Wind” (1997); Best Show Album, “Aida” (2000)
Oscar: Best Original Son, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “The Lion King” (1994)
Tony: Best Score, “Aida” (2000)
John Legend, songwriter and...
Grammy: Best Spoken Word Album, “Great Documents” (1977)
Oscar: Best Actor, “On Golden Pond” (1981)
Tony: Best Actor, “Mister Roberts” (1948); Best Actor, “Clarence Darrow” (1975)
Oscar Hammerstein II, lyricist and producer (1895-1960)
Grammy: Best Original Cast Album, “The Sound of Music” (1960)
Oscar: Best Original Song, “The Last Time I Saw Paris” from “Lady Be Good” (1941); “It Might As Well Be Spring” from “State Fair” (1945)
Tony: Three awards for “South Pacific” (1950); Best Musical, “The King and I” (1952); Best Musical, “The Sound of Music” (1960)
Elton John
Grammy: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group, “That’s What Friends Are For” (1986); Best Instrumental Composition, “Basque” (1991); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (1994); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, “Candle in the Wind” (1997); Best Show Album, “Aida” (2000)
Oscar: Best Original Son, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “The Lion King” (1994)
Tony: Best Score, “Aida” (2000)
John Legend, songwriter and...
- 8/29/2022
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Team Experience has been celebrating Esther Williams Centennial with a three part miniseries. Previously we featured Thrill of a Romance and Neptune's Daughter.
by Cláudio Alves
In some ways, Million Dollar Mermaid is both the quintessential Esther Williams movie and a departure in the screen siren's career. During the 1940s, Williams achieved cinematic stardom through self-knowing exercises in romantic silliness and musical extravagance, lighthearted productions that wore their escapist possibilities as a badge of honor. One can often feel the screenwriter's strain, trying to shoe-horn swimming scenes in stories that could function just as well without them. Even the baseball comedy Take Me Out to the Ball Game had to be retrofitted into having an out-of-place pool number where Williams gets to lip-sync while swimming under the gaze of Busby Berkeley's camera. Consequentially, MGM never presented Williams as a great dramatic actress, preferring to exhalt her natural charms, radiant presence,...
by Cláudio Alves
In some ways, Million Dollar Mermaid is both the quintessential Esther Williams movie and a departure in the screen siren's career. During the 1940s, Williams achieved cinematic stardom through self-knowing exercises in romantic silliness and musical extravagance, lighthearted productions that wore their escapist possibilities as a badge of honor. One can often feel the screenwriter's strain, trying to shoe-horn swimming scenes in stories that could function just as well without them. Even the baseball comedy Take Me Out to the Ball Game had to be retrofitted into having an out-of-place pool number where Williams gets to lip-sync while swimming under the gaze of Busby Berkeley's camera. Consequentially, MGM never presented Williams as a great dramatic actress, preferring to exhalt her natural charms, radiant presence,...
- 8/11/2021
- by Cláudio Alves
- FilmExperience
by Camila Henriques
As we continue with our celebration of Esther Williams's centennial, we're thrown into the story of "a girl, a guy and a swimsuit". All in all, that's an accurate summary of Neptune's Daughter, the 1949 film directed by Edward Buzell that paired the star with one of her frequent onscreen partners Ricardo Montalbán. Like other Williams efforts, the picture relies on her screen charisma to succeed, and, when it does it's pure magic.
It's a funny coincidence that her centennial comes as we're invaded by the Olympic spirit. Williams herself was never able to compete in the games. Her big shot came the year they were cancelled due to World War II, in 1940...
As we continue with our celebration of Esther Williams's centennial, we're thrown into the story of "a girl, a guy and a swimsuit". All in all, that's an accurate summary of Neptune's Daughter, the 1949 film directed by Edward Buzell that paired the star with one of her frequent onscreen partners Ricardo Montalbán. Like other Williams efforts, the picture relies on her screen charisma to succeed, and, when it does it's pure magic.
It's a funny coincidence that her centennial comes as we're invaded by the Olympic spirit. Williams herself was never able to compete in the games. Her big shot came the year they were cancelled due to World War II, in 1940...
- 8/9/2021
- by Camila Henriques
- FilmExperience
Who doesn’t love a festive holiday tradition? The Christmas tree has been trimmed, stockings have been hung, the elf is sitting on his shelf and, once again, people are debating whether “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is a song about rape. Every December, the Internet serves up a fresh batch of hot takes about Frank Loesser’s 1944 jazz standard, a classic recipe for clickbait controversy that’s guaranteed to draw a crowd. Dozens of articles are published each year.
Every so often an exceptionally fiery opinion — like that the...
Every so often an exceptionally fiery opinion — like that the...
- 12/11/2020
- by Amelia McDonell-Parry
- Rollingstone.com
Antony Partos.
Antony Partos won the prize for best TV theme for Bloom and shared the awards for best music in a TV series or serial, also for Bloom, and feature film score for I Am Mother at the Screen Music Awards in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
First time nominee Piers Burbrook de Vere is now a first time Screen Music Awards winner as his work on Abe Forsythe’s zombie comedy Little Monsters was named best soundtrack album at the awards hosted by Justine Clarke at the Forum.
The guest presenters were actors Susan Prior, Amali Golden, Mark Coles Smith and Damon Herriman and screen composer Burkhard Dallwitz.
In her welcoming address Australian Guild of Screen Composers (Agsc) president Caitlin Yeo said: “The Agsc is stronger, more unified and more able to advocate for everyone’s interests because of your dedication, hard work, and service.
“This year I have...
Antony Partos won the prize for best TV theme for Bloom and shared the awards for best music in a TV series or serial, also for Bloom, and feature film score for I Am Mother at the Screen Music Awards in Melbourne on Wednesday night.
First time nominee Piers Burbrook de Vere is now a first time Screen Music Awards winner as his work on Abe Forsythe’s zombie comedy Little Monsters was named best soundtrack album at the awards hosted by Justine Clarke at the Forum.
The guest presenters were actors Susan Prior, Amali Golden, Mark Coles Smith and Damon Herriman and screen composer Burkhard Dallwitz.
In her welcoming address Australian Guild of Screen Composers (Agsc) president Caitlin Yeo said: “The Agsc is stronger, more unified and more able to advocate for everyone’s interests because of your dedication, hard work, and service.
“This year I have...
- 11/20/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Let's face it: while "Baby, It's Cold Outside" is one of the catchiest classic Christmas songs around, the lyrics have not aged well. In fact, the tune has sparked multiple controversies in recent years due to its questionable lyrics, which have led many to wonder if they describe an instance of date rape. But now, thanks to The Voice judges Kelly Clarkson and John Legend, a new edition of the song will be sufficiently less creepy.
Per Vanity Fair's new cover story featuring Legend, the more-woke take on the holiday song will debut as a standalone single closer to the holidays. Legend is penning the new lyrics along with Insecure's Natasha Rothwell, and it will reportedly be "every bit as fun and swinging as the original." Legend even gave the magazine a taste of the new lyrics:
"What will my friends think . . ." sings Clarkson.
"I think they should rejoice," Legend responds.
Per Vanity Fair's new cover story featuring Legend, the more-woke take on the holiday song will debut as a standalone single closer to the holidays. Legend is penning the new lyrics along with Insecure's Natasha Rothwell, and it will reportedly be "every bit as fun and swinging as the original." Legend even gave the magazine a taste of the new lyrics:
"What will my friends think . . ." sings Clarkson.
"I think they should rejoice," Legend responds.
- 10/31/2019
- by Quinn Keaney
- Popsugar.com
The lyrics of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" just got a questionable makeover.
Over the last few years, "Baby, It's Cold Outside" has gone from being that cutesy duet you probably first heard in Elf to a song banned by radio stations over the holidays. The tune, which was written by Frank Loesser and popularized in the 1949 film Neptune's Daughter, has left fans feeling more and more uncomfortable due to its suggestive lyrics, which have led many to wonder if they describe an instance of date rape.
In a scene where a male character is trying to keep a woman from leaving, she sings "My answer is no," before he responds that she can't possibly leave because of the heavy snow. "What's the sense of hurting my pride?" he asks as she tries to leave again, before she eventually exclaims, "Say, what's in this drink?" It's that line in particular that...
Over the last few years, "Baby, It's Cold Outside" has gone from being that cutesy duet you probably first heard in Elf to a song banned by radio stations over the holidays. The tune, which was written by Frank Loesser and popularized in the 1949 film Neptune's Daughter, has left fans feeling more and more uncomfortable due to its suggestive lyrics, which have led many to wonder if they describe an instance of date rape.
In a scene where a male character is trying to keep a woman from leaving, she sings "My answer is no," before he responds that she can't possibly leave because of the heavy snow. "What's the sense of hurting my pride?" he asks as she tries to leave again, before she eventually exclaims, "Say, what's in this drink?" It's that line in particular that...
- 12/13/2018
- by Quinn Keaney
- Popsugar.com
For decades, "Baby, It's Cold Outside," the duet originally sung in the 1949 film Neptune's Daughter, has endured as one of the most beloved Christmas songs. Iconic musicians like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan, Dolly Parton and Rod Stewart, and Michael Bublé and Idina Menzel have all recorded versions of the song together. Chris Colfer and Darren Criss sing the tune to each other on an episode of Glee, and Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel belt it out in Elf. But in recent years, the catchy holiday song has left fans feeling more and more uncomfortable due to its suggestive lyrics, which have led many to wonder if they describe an instance of date rape.
Because of the potentially sinister meaning behind the lyrics, a Cleveland radio station has decided "Baby, It's Cold Outside" really can't stay - on the air, at least. Wdok Christmas 102.1 has pulled the song from its 24-hour Christmas rotation,...
Because of the potentially sinister meaning behind the lyrics, a Cleveland radio station has decided "Baby, It's Cold Outside" really can't stay - on the air, at least. Wdok Christmas 102.1 has pulled the song from its 24-hour Christmas rotation,...
- 12/8/2018
- by Quinn Keaney
- Popsugar.com
by Chris Feil
While Soundtracking aims to look at the depth and relationship between movies and their music, one of this series’ minor ambitions is to defend the purpose of Oscar’s much maligned Original Song category. Complain about some of the weak nominees in recent years and you are (alone yet) not alone. But this category has a rich history of classics and film-defining tracks, some of which you may not know have their origins in the cinema. Case in point: holiday staple of hot takes "Baby It's Cold Outside" won the Oscar in 1949 for Neptune's Daughter.
While this year’s nominees run from the unfortunate to the immaculate, I’d also offer that Oscar’s Original Song is currently in an upswing in quality. It has also faced some underwhelming periods (take a look at the 50s) and may never return to its 70s-80s level of radio rotation,...
While Soundtracking aims to look at the depth and relationship between movies and their music, one of this series’ minor ambitions is to defend the purpose of Oscar’s much maligned Original Song category. Complain about some of the weak nominees in recent years and you are (alone yet) not alone. But this category has a rich history of classics and film-defining tracks, some of which you may not know have their origins in the cinema. Case in point: holiday staple of hot takes "Baby It's Cold Outside" won the Oscar in 1949 for Neptune's Daughter.
While this year’s nominees run from the unfortunate to the immaculate, I’d also offer that Oscar’s Original Song is currently in an upswing in quality. It has also faced some underwhelming periods (take a look at the 50s) and may never return to its 70s-80s level of radio rotation,...
- 2/28/2018
- by Chris Feil
- FilmExperience
'Sorrell and Son' with H.B. Warner and Alice Joyce. 'Sorrell and Son' 1927 movie: Long thought lost, surprisingly effective father-love melodrama stars a superlative H.B. Warner Partially shot on location in England and produced independently by director Herbert Brenon at Joseph M. Schenck's United Artists, the 1927 Sorrell and Son is a skillful melodrama about paternal devotion in the face of both personal and social adversity. This long-thought-lost version of Warwick Deeping's 1925 bestseller benefits greatly from the veteran Brenon's assured direction, deservedly shortlisted in the first year of the Academy Awards.* Crucial to the film's effectiveness, however, is the portrayal of its central character, a war-scarred Englishman who sacrifices it all for the happiness of his son. Luckily, the London-born H.B. Warner, best remembered for playing Jesus Christ in another 1927 release, Cecil B. DeMille's The King of Kings, is the embodiment of honesty, selflessness, and devotion. Less is...
- 10/9/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Rod Taylor dead at 84: Actor best known for 'The Time Machine' and 'The Birds' Rod Taylor, best remembered for the early 1960s movies The Time Machine and The Birds, and for his supporting role as Winston Churchill in Quentin Tarantino's international hit Inglourious Basterds, has died. Taylor suffered a heart attack at his Los Angeles home earlier this morning (January 8, 2015). Born on January 11, 1930, in Sydney, he would have turned 85 on Sunday. Based on H.G. Wells' classic 1895 sci-fi novel, The Time Machine stars Rod Taylor as a H. George Wells, an inventor who comes up with an intricate chair that allows him to travel across time. (In the novel, the Victorian protagonist is referred to simply as the "Time Traveller.") After experiencing World War I and World War II, Wells decides to fast forward to the distant future, ultimately arriving at a place where humankind has been split...
- 1/9/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Swimmer who found movie fame in a string of MGM musicals
Esther Williams, "Hollywood's Mermaid", who has died aged 91, swam her way through more than a dozen splashy MGM musicals in the 1940s and early 50s. While smiling at the camera, she was able to do a combination of crawl, breast and backstroke, and was forever blowing bubbles under water, seemingly having an inexhaustible supply of air.
Like the starlets Lana Turner, Kathryn Grayson and Donna Reed before her, she started out for MGM in a Hardy Family picture, Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942) – though one that allowed her to swim with Mickey Rooney. After being billed 19th in A Guy Named Joe (1943), she shot to stardom in her third film, Bathing Beauty (1944).
It started out as an average Red Skelton vehicle, first called Mr Co-Ed, then Sing and Swim, but Esther's superb figure and pretty features were heightened by Technicolor...
Esther Williams, "Hollywood's Mermaid", who has died aged 91, swam her way through more than a dozen splashy MGM musicals in the 1940s and early 50s. While smiling at the camera, she was able to do a combination of crawl, breast and backstroke, and was forever blowing bubbles under water, seemingly having an inexhaustible supply of air.
Like the starlets Lana Turner, Kathryn Grayson and Donna Reed before her, she started out for MGM in a Hardy Family picture, Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942) – though one that allowed her to swim with Mickey Rooney. After being billed 19th in A Guy Named Joe (1943), she shot to stardom in her third film, Bathing Beauty (1944).
It started out as an average Red Skelton vehicle, first called Mr Co-Ed, then Sing and Swim, but Esther's superb figure and pretty features were heightened by Technicolor...
- 6/7/2013
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
Los Angeles, June 7 (Ians/Efe) Actress Esther Williams, known as "The Mermaid of Hollywood", died Thursday at her home in Beverly Hills, California, her publicist announced. She was 91.
The star of classic films such as "Ziegfeld Follies" (1945), "Neptune's Daughter" (1949) and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (1949), but above all "Bathing Beauty" (1944), Williams was one of the great stars of MGM Studios.
The specialty of Williams, a swimmer who aspired to participate in the Olympic Games, were the aquatic movie ballets of the 1940s and '50s, very popular for their mixture of romance, music, a little comedy and not much in the way of a plot.
Her bathing suit-clad publicity photo was one of the favourite pin-ups of.
The star of classic films such as "Ziegfeld Follies" (1945), "Neptune's Daughter" (1949) and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" (1949), but above all "Bathing Beauty" (1944), Williams was one of the great stars of MGM Studios.
The specialty of Williams, a swimmer who aspired to participate in the Olympic Games, were the aquatic movie ballets of the 1940s and '50s, very popular for their mixture of romance, music, a little comedy and not much in the way of a plot.
Her bathing suit-clad publicity photo was one of the favourite pin-ups of.
- 6/7/2013
- by Diksha Singh
- RealBollywood.com
Esther Williams was in a class by herself. The Olympic hopeful turned leading lady, who utilized her aquatic skills in Technicolor romances such as Bathing Beauty and Neptune's Daughter, died early this morning in her sleep. She was 91. A champion swimmer as a teen growing up in Los Angeles, Williams was headed for the 1940 Summer Olympics in Tokyo when the outbreak of World War II prompted the Games' cancellation. But it turned out the brunette beauty was destined for stardom in other arenas. She was discovered swimming alongside Tarzan star Johnny Weismuller as part of Billy Rose's Aquacade show in San Francisco and her career took off in the 1940s when she starred in a...
- 6/7/2013
- E! Online
Actress and champion swimmer Esther Williams passed away at the age of 91 this morning.
Born in Inglewood, Calif., in 1921, Williams took an interest in swimming at a young age and began breaking individual U.S. swimming records as a teen.
Williams was slated to represent the U.S. in the 1940 Olympics; however, she was unable to participate in the Olympics, which were hosted in Finland that year, as they were canceled due to the outbreak of World War II in Europe.
She then utilized another one of her talents, good looks, to become a model.
Then 18 years old, she drew attention from MGM scouts at the Aquacade, an aquatic spectacle, in San Francisco and was shortly thereafter signed to a contract.
Two years later, Williams made her film debut in the comedy Andy Hardy's Double Life, starring Mickey Rooney.
As she continued to refine her acting craft over the years, Williams landed...
Born in Inglewood, Calif., in 1921, Williams took an interest in swimming at a young age and began breaking individual U.S. swimming records as a teen.
Williams was slated to represent the U.S. in the 1940 Olympics; however, she was unable to participate in the Olympics, which were hosted in Finland that year, as they were canceled due to the outbreak of World War II in Europe.
She then utilized another one of her talents, good looks, to become a model.
Then 18 years old, she drew attention from MGM scouts at the Aquacade, an aquatic spectacle, in San Francisco and was shortly thereafter signed to a contract.
Two years later, Williams made her film debut in the comedy Andy Hardy's Double Life, starring Mickey Rooney.
As she continued to refine her acting craft over the years, Williams landed...
- 6/6/2013
- Entertainment Tonight
Esther Williams, iconic actress and bathing beauty of the forties and fifties, died today, her publicist announced this afternoon. She was 91. Williams, a one-time Olympic hopeful, made a slew of "aquamusicals" for MGM and was famous for her onscreen swimming in movies like Million Dollar Mermaid (also the title of her autobiography), Dangerous When Wet (half live-action, half animated), and Neptune's Daughter. Her elaborate underwater ballets made her the godmother of synchronized swimming and one of the most popular pinups of her day. Here she is in 1955's Jupiter's Darling:...
- 6/6/2013
- by Margaret Lyons
- Vulture
Los Angeles — Esther Williams, the swimming champion turned actress who starred in glittering and aquatic Technicolor musicals of the 1940s and 1950s, has died. She was 91.
Williams died early Thursday in her sleep, according to her longtime publicist Harlan Boll.
Following in the footsteps of Sonja Henie, who went from skating champion to movie star, Williams became one of Hollywood's biggest moneymakers, appearing in spectacular swimsuit numbers that capitalized on her wholesome beauty and perfect figure.
Such films as "Easy to Wed," `'Neptune's Daughter" and "Dangerous When Wet" followed the same formula: romance, music, a bit of comedy and a flimsy plot that provided excuses to get Esther into the water.
The extravaganzas dazzled a second generation via television and the compilation films "That's Entertainment." Williams' co-stars included the pick of the MGM contract list, including Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Ricardo Montalban and Howard Keel.
When hard...
Williams died early Thursday in her sleep, according to her longtime publicist Harlan Boll.
Following in the footsteps of Sonja Henie, who went from skating champion to movie star, Williams became one of Hollywood's biggest moneymakers, appearing in spectacular swimsuit numbers that capitalized on her wholesome beauty and perfect figure.
Such films as "Easy to Wed," `'Neptune's Daughter" and "Dangerous When Wet" followed the same formula: romance, music, a bit of comedy and a flimsy plot that provided excuses to get Esther into the water.
The extravaganzas dazzled a second generation via television and the compilation films "That's Entertainment." Williams' co-stars included the pick of the MGM contract list, including Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Ricardo Montalban and Howard Keel.
When hard...
- 6/6/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Los Angeles, Calif. - Esther Williams, the swimming champion turned actress who starred in glittering and aquatic Technicolor musicals of the 1940s and 1950s, has died. She was 91.
Williams died early Thursday in her sleep, according to her longtime publicist Harlan Boll.
Following in the footsteps of Sonja Henie, who went from skating champion to movie star, Williams became one of Hollywood's biggest moneymakers, appearing in spectacular swimsuit numbers that capitalized on her wholesome beauty and perfect figure.
Such films as "Easy to Wed," ''Neptune's Daughter" and "Dangerous When Wet" followed the same formula: romance, music, a bit of comedy and a flimsy plot that provided excuses to get Esther into the water.
The extravaganzas dazzled a second generation via television and the compilation films "That's Entertainment." Williams' co-stars included the pick of the MGM contract list, including Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Ricardo Montalban and Howard Keel.
Williams died early Thursday in her sleep, according to her longtime publicist Harlan Boll.
Following in the footsteps of Sonja Henie, who went from skating champion to movie star, Williams became one of Hollywood's biggest moneymakers, appearing in spectacular swimsuit numbers that capitalized on her wholesome beauty and perfect figure.
Such films as "Easy to Wed," ''Neptune's Daughter" and "Dangerous When Wet" followed the same formula: romance, music, a bit of comedy and a flimsy plot that provided excuses to get Esther into the water.
The extravaganzas dazzled a second generation via television and the compilation films "That's Entertainment." Williams' co-stars included the pick of the MGM contract list, including Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Ricardo Montalban and Howard Keel.
- 6/6/2013
- by CP
- Huffington Post
Los Angeles (AP) — Esther Williams, the swimming champion turned actress who starred in glittering and aquatic Technicolor musicals of the 1940s and 1950s, has died. She was 91. Williams died early Thursday in her sleep, according to her longtime publicist Harlan Boll. Following in the footsteps of Sonja Henie, who went from skating champion to movie star, Williams became one of Hollywood's biggest moneymakers, appearing in spectacular swimsuit numbers that capitalized on her wholesome beauty and perfect figure. Such films as "Easy to Wed," ''Neptune's Daughter" and "Dangerous When Wet" followed the same formula: romance, music, a...
- 6/6/2013
- by Bob Thomas (AP Staff)
- Hitfix
The silver screen has long boasted many great beauties, but only one was ever worthy of the title "America's Mermaid." Esther Williams, MGM's great synchronized swimming star and box-office attraction of the '40s and '50s, died. She was 91. The star's publicist Harlan Boll told the Associated Press she died in her sleep Thursday. Relatively removed from the public eye since the publication of her 1999 memoir, The Million Dollar Mermaid, Williams suffered some health setbacks in the past several years. In 2001, she fractured her ankle (which then became infected, necessitating the use of a walker) after a spill down...
- 6/6/2013
- by Stephen M. Silverman
- PEOPLE.com
Esther Williams -- the Huge movie star who became internationally famous with her spectacular, synchronized swimming routines -- is now making a splash ... in heaven. She died today, at 91.Williams starred in countless swimsuit spectaculars in the 40's and 50's -- "aquamusicals" as they were called -- where MGM honchos made any excuse to get her girl-next-door good looks and bangin' bod into the water. Movies like "Neptune's Daughter" and "Dangerous When Wet" were every guy's wet dream.
- 6/6/2013
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Swim in peace, America's Mermaid.
Esther Williams, a champion swimmer who became a movie star, has died. The 91-year-old passed away in her sleep, according to family spokesman Harlan Boll.
Called "America's Mermaid," Williams starred in several splashy, Technicolor "aquamusicals" in the 1940s and '50s, including "MIllion Dollar Mermaid," "Neptune's Daughter," and "Bathing Beauty."
As a teenager, Williams was a competitive swimmer who dreamed of going to the Olympics. But when the 1940 Games were canceled due to World War II, she joined the Aquacade at the San Francisco World's Fair alongside "Tarzan" star Johnny Weissmuller. There, she caught the eye of MGM scouts.
She acted opposite Mickey Rooney in her first movie, 1942's "Andy Hardy's Double Life." From there, a bathing suit-clad Williams became a sex symbol in a genre created just for her -- the aquamusical.
"No one had ever done a swimming movie before," she once said,...
Esther Williams, a champion swimmer who became a movie star, has died. The 91-year-old passed away in her sleep, according to family spokesman Harlan Boll.
Called "America's Mermaid," Williams starred in several splashy, Technicolor "aquamusicals" in the 1940s and '50s, including "MIllion Dollar Mermaid," "Neptune's Daughter," and "Bathing Beauty."
As a teenager, Williams was a competitive swimmer who dreamed of going to the Olympics. But when the 1940 Games were canceled due to World War II, she joined the Aquacade at the San Francisco World's Fair alongside "Tarzan" star Johnny Weissmuller. There, she caught the eye of MGM scouts.
She acted opposite Mickey Rooney in her first movie, 1942's "Andy Hardy's Double Life." From there, a bathing suit-clad Williams became a sex symbol in a genre created just for her -- the aquamusical.
"No one had ever done a swimming movie before," she once said,...
- 6/6/2013
- by Kelly Woo
- Moviefone
Actor and singer known for her role as the Sinatra-chasing taxi driver Brunhilde Esterhazy in On the Town
The most famous role played by the all-round entertainer Betty Garrett, who has died aged 91, was Brunhilde Esterhazy, the taxi driver in Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly's musical On the Town (1949). In the film, she introduces herself to a shy sailor played by Frank Sinatra and asks him: "Why don't you come up to my place?" She is soon vigorously chasing him around her cab, rejecting any of his suggestions about what to see in New York with the rapid retort: "My place!"
In Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949), Garrett had pursued Sinatra with equal zeal, assuring him by singing It's Fate, Baby, It's Fate. She also panted after Red Skelton in Neptune's Daughter (1949), begging him not to leave her apartment with the song Baby, It's Cold Outside.
The most famous role played by the all-round entertainer Betty Garrett, who has died aged 91, was Brunhilde Esterhazy, the taxi driver in Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly's musical On the Town (1949). In the film, she introduces herself to a shy sailor played by Frank Sinatra and asks him: "Why don't you come up to my place?" She is soon vigorously chasing him around her cab, rejecting any of his suggestions about what to see in New York with the rapid retort: "My place!"
In Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949), Garrett had pursued Sinatra with equal zeal, assuring him by singing It's Fate, Baby, It's Fate. She also panted after Red Skelton in Neptune's Daughter (1949), begging him not to leave her apartment with the song Baby, It's Cold Outside.
- 2/14/2011
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
Filed under: TV News, Celebrities and Gossip
Veteran sitcom actress Betty Garrett, who co-starred in 'Laverne & Shirley' and 'All in the Family,' has passed away at age 91, according to E! Online. She died Saturday at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center due to an aortic aneurysm.
Garrett worked alongside many classic Hollywood stars, like Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly in 'On the Town.' Garrett is also remembered for her role in 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game.'
Among other films, Garrett starred in 'Neptune's Daughter,' where she and Red Skelton performed a version of the classic duet 'Baby, It's Cold Outside.'
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Veteran sitcom actress Betty Garrett, who co-starred in 'Laverne & Shirley' and 'All in the Family,' has passed away at age 91, according to E! Online. She died Saturday at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center due to an aortic aneurysm.
Garrett worked alongside many classic Hollywood stars, like Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly in 'On the Town.' Garrett is also remembered for her role in 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game.'
Among other films, Garrett starred in 'Neptune's Daughter,' where she and Red Skelton performed a version of the classic duet 'Baby, It's Cold Outside.'
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- 2/14/2011
- by PopEater Staff
- Aol TV.
Betty Garrett, aka "Hildy" the female cabbie from On the Town, passed away yesterday at 91. She was a comic star of stage, tv and, however briefly, big screen musicals. The Hollywood blacklist of the 50s, which sadly destroyed so many careers at their prime, derailed hers, but at least she had charming musicals like Neptune's Daughter, My Sister Eileen and two Frank Sinatra pairings in On The Town and Take Me Out to the Ball Game under her dance belt before that sorry turn of events. Her career got a second wind of sorts on television in the 70s in sitcoms like Laverne and Shirley and All in the Family.
Is there anything more contagiously cheerful than a good musical comedy star? ♪ They're awful....awful good to look at, awful nice to be with, awful sweet to have and hold... ♫
Here's a fun video that apparently played before her 90th birthday bash.
Is there anything more contagiously cheerful than a good musical comedy star? ♪ They're awful....awful good to look at, awful nice to be with, awful sweet to have and hold... ♫
Here's a fun video that apparently played before her 90th birthday bash.
- 2/13/2011
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
"Glee" has done an admirable job of cutting down the number of songs per episode this season, but those rules don't apply to the "A Very Glee Christmas" episode.
Frankly, we can tell that there were attempts to make this a holiday classic, so we're alright with that, but we're surprised they didn't try for a two-hour "Glee" (yikes!) just so they could get all the songs from the album in. As it is, we're missing "Deck the Rooftop," "The Most Wonderful Day of the Year," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman," "O Christmas Tree," "Jingle Bells," "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "O Holy Night."
Hands down our favorite from the holiday episode is still "Baby It's Cold Outside." It's one of the best winter songs, and Chris Colfer and Darren Criss really have the playful chemistry that's essential for this song. Our runners-up would have to be "Welcome...
Frankly, we can tell that there were attempts to make this a holiday classic, so we're alright with that, but we're surprised they didn't try for a two-hour "Glee" (yikes!) just so they could get all the songs from the album in. As it is, we're missing "Deck the Rooftop," "The Most Wonderful Day of the Year," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman," "O Christmas Tree," "Jingle Bells," "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "O Holy Night."
Hands down our favorite from the holiday episode is still "Baby It's Cold Outside." It's one of the best winter songs, and Chris Colfer and Darren Criss really have the playful chemistry that's essential for this song. Our runners-up would have to be "Welcome...
- 12/8/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Ricardo Montalban, a Mexican-born actor who starred in MGM films, and later in ABC's Fantasy Island, has died.
He was 88, and no cause of death was released, the Associated Press reports.
Montalban arrived in the U.S. in 1946, making a transition from Mexican cinema to Hollywood. His first stateside role was in Fiesta, opposite Esther Williams. He appeared with her again in On an Island with You in 1948 and Neptune's Daughter a year later.
It was in 1978, however, when Montalban became known as Island's magnanimous Mr. Rourke...
Read More >...
He was 88, and no cause of death was released, the Associated Press reports.
Montalban arrived in the U.S. in 1946, making a transition from Mexican cinema to Hollywood. His first stateside role was in Fiesta, opposite Esther Williams. He appeared with her again in On an Island with You in 1948 and Neptune's Daughter a year later.
It was in 1978, however, when Montalban became known as Island's magnanimous Mr. Rourke...
Read More >...
- 1/15/2009
- by Anna Dimond
- TVGuide - Breaking News
Ricardo Montalban, who became a household name for his performance as the wish-granting Mr. Roarke on "Fantasy Island," died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. The actor was 88.
Montalban's death was announced at a meeting of the city council by president Eric Garcetti, who represents the district where the actor lived. Garcetti did not give a cause of death.
Although he was best known as the charming Roarke on ABC's 1978-84 hit series, Montalban was also a gifted character actor who won an Emmy for his portrayal of a Sioux chief in the miniseries "How the West Was Won."
Montalban's suave manner and patriarchal dignity became his trademarks, and for a period in his late career, he served as the TV pitchman for Chrysler. His dignified intonation -- "rich Corinthian leather" with his regal rolling of the "R's" -- caught viewers' favor and was widely repeated.
Montalban could also play the most dastardly villains,...
Montalban's death was announced at a meeting of the city council by president Eric Garcetti, who represents the district where the actor lived. Garcetti did not give a cause of death.
Although he was best known as the charming Roarke on ABC's 1978-84 hit series, Montalban was also a gifted character actor who won an Emmy for his portrayal of a Sioux chief in the miniseries "How the West Was Won."
Montalban's suave manner and patriarchal dignity became his trademarks, and for a period in his late career, he served as the TV pitchman for Chrysler. His dignified intonation -- "rich Corinthian leather" with his regal rolling of the "R's" -- caught viewers' favor and was widely repeated.
Montalban could also play the most dastardly villains,...
- 1/14/2009
- by By Duane Byrge
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Associated Press reports that actors Ricardo Montalban and Patrick McGoohan have both passed away. Montalban, the Mexican-born actor who became a star in splashy MGM musicals and later as the wish-fulfilling Mr. Roarke in TV's "Fantasy Island," died Wednesday morning at his home, a city councilman said. He was 88. Montalban had been a star in Mexican movies when MGM brought him to Hollywood in 1946. He was cast in the leading role opposite Esther Williams in Fiesta . He also starred with the swimming beauty in On an Island with You and Neptune's Daughter . A later generation knew Montalban as the faintly mysterious, white-suited Mr. Roarke, who presided over an island resort where visitors were able to fulfill their lifelong dreams. "Fantasy Island"...
- 1/14/2009
- Comingsoon.net
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