Thrill of a Romance | |
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Theatrical release poster
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Directed by | Richard Thorpe |
Produced by | Joe Pasternak |
Written by |
Richard Connell Gladys Lehman |
Starring |
Van Johnson Esther Williams Frances Gifford Carleton G. Young Lauritz Melchior |
Music by |
Calvin Jackson George Stoll |
Cinematography | Harry Stradling |
Edited by | George Boemler |
Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date
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May 23, 1945 |
Running time
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105 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $1,410,000 |
Box office | $7,205,000 |
Thrill of a Romance (also known as Thrill of a New Romance) was an American romance film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1945, starring Van Johnson, Esther Williams and Carleton G. Young, with musical performances by opera singer Lauritz Melchior. The film was directed by Richard Thorpe and written by Richard Connell and Gladys Lehman.
The film tells the story of Cynthia Glenn, who, after a whirlwind romance, marries a rich businessman. However, on the first day of their honeymoon, her new husband is called away to Washington, leaving her alone at a resort. During this time, she meets and falls in love with a war hero, Tommy Milvaine, played by Van Johnson.
This was the second of five films that paired Williams and Johnson together. Made over a period of eight years, those that followed were Easy to Wed (1946), Duchess of Idaho (1950) and Easy to Love (1953).
Thrill of a Romance was a box office success, becoming the eighth-highest grossing film of 1945.
Cynthia Glenn (Esther Williams) is a swimming instructor in Los Angeles, California, where she lives with her scatterbrained aunt and uncle Nona and Hobart (Spring Byington and Henry Travers). While demonstrating a dive to her students, she catches the eye of an interested stranger, Bob Delbar (Carleton G. Young). Cynthia returns home to find that she has received flowers from the stranger. The two court for one month, and then get married.
They leave immediately after the wedding on their honeymoon to the hotel Monte Belva, where they encounter the famous opera singer, Nils Knudsen (Lauritz Melchior). Major Thomas Milvaine (Van Johnson), who is also staying at the hotel, notices Cynthia. J.P. Bancroft, a rich colleague, calls Bob and insists that he come to Washington to complete a deal. While Cynthia cries over Bob's departure, Tommy, who is staying next door, comforts her.