Carnival
Carnival

Movie spotlight

Carnival

1953
Movie
90 min
French

Dardamelle does not conceal the fact that his wife has made him a cuckold.How will his fellow townspeople react?

Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Director: Stanley DonenGenres: Musical, Romance, Comedy

Plot Summary

A spirited young woman, Anna (Esther Williams), leaves her small town to join a traveling carnival, hoping to find adventure and perhaps love. She finds herself caught between the affections of two very different men: a charming but irresponsible magician (Red Skelton) and a handsome, stable sailor (Howard Keel). Meanwhile, chaos and comedy ensue thanks to the antics of the carnival performers and Anna's own blossoming independence.

Critical Reception

Carnival (also known as "Dangerous When Wet") was generally well-received as a lighthearted musical comedy, praised for its energetic performances and Esther Williams' signature aquatic routines. While not a critical darling, it provided ample entertainment for audiences of the era, capitalizing on the star power of its leads.

What Reviewers Say

  • Enjoyable musical numbers, particularly Esther Williams' swimming sequences.

  • A fun, lighthearted romp with comedic elements from Red Skelton.

  • The romantic storyline is predictable but charming.

Google audience: Audience reception data for this film is not readily available.

Fun Fact

This film was originally titled 'Dangerous When Wet' but was renamed 'Carnival' for its release in some territories, likely to avoid confusion with other films and potentially to leverage the popular theme of carnivals in entertainment.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review