Texas Carnival
1951 musical film by Charles Walters
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Texas Carnival is a 1951 American Technicolor musical film directed by Charles Walters and starring Esther Williams, Red Skelton, Howard Keel and Ann Miller.
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Dorothy Kingsley
| Texas Carnival | |
|---|---|
Film poster | |
| Directed by | Charles Walters |
| Screenplay by | Dorothy Kingsley |
| Story by | George Wells Dorothy Kingsley |
| Produced by | Jack Cummings |
| Starring | Esther Williams Red Skelton Howard Keel Ann Miller |
| Cinematography | Robert H. Planck |
| Edited by | Adrienne Fazan |
| Music by | David Rose |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Loew's, Inc. |
Release dates | |
Running time | 77 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,684,000[3] |
| Box office | $3,820,000[3] |
Plot
A dunk tank at a Texas carnival is operated by Debbie Telford and partner Cornie Quinell, an honest man who helps the inebriated millionaire rancher Dan Sabinas at another carny booth. Cornie sends Dan away in a taxi and promises to return his car. However, Dan instructs the driver to take him to Mexico instead.
As Cornie and Debbie drive to Dan's hotel in his car, they are mistaken for Dan and his wealthy sister Marilla. Cornie comes to enjoy the luxury and is attracted to lovely Sunshine Jackson, daughter of the sheriff. Debbie is courted by Dan's handsome foreman Slim Shelby, who pretends not to know that she is an impostor.
In a poker game, Cornie is unaware that jellybeans being used for chips are worth big money. He loses $17,000 that he is unable to repay unless he can win a Texas chuckwagon race. Debbie is in trouble because the real Marilla is suspicious of her.
Dan finally returns but cannot recognize Cornie. In an attempt to inebriate Dan again, Cornie becomes intoxicated and drives his chuckwagon while drunk.
Cornie and Debbie find happiness with their new loves.
Cast
- Esther Williams as Debbie Telford
- Red Skelton as Cornie Quinell
- Howard Keel as Slim Shelby
- Ann Miller as Sunshine Jackson
- Paula Raymond as Marilla Sabinas
- Keenan Wynn as Dan Sabinas
- Glenn Strange as Tex Hodgkins
- Tom Tully as Sheriff Jackson
Production
The film, originally titled The Carnival Story, was envisioned as a vehicle for Betty Hutton. In February 1950, the project was announced as a vehicle for Esther Williams and Red Skelton, their third film together, following Bathing Beauty (1944) and Neptune's Daughter (1949).[4] Filming was delayed because of Williams' pregnancy.[5] In August 1950, Howard Keel and Ann Miller joined the cast.[6]
The film was retitled Texas Carnival in November 1950.[7] In December 1950, MGM announced that Charles Walters would direct.
Filming started in late January 1951[8] and wrapped by early April.[9]
Reception
In a contemporary review for The New York Times, critic Bosley Crowther wrote: "It is the omnivorous Mr. Skelton ... who not only gobbles up entirely every scene that he plays alone but also snatches the white meat from the others in every scene that he plays with them. ... But then it may be that all of them did have more to do and their stuff later was cut from the picture. Somehow it looks that way. The continuity rambles and the bridges are often quite abrupt. Indeed, the scrappy nature of the whole thing, for all its bright Technicolored elegance, gives the impression that it was pared down to a straight Skelton comedy. As such, it fulfills a purpose. It is straight Skelton comedy, all right—big, brawling, boisterous—like Texas. Or, if you wish, like a carnival."[2]
Critic Philip K. Scheuer of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "The handiest compliment I can pay 'Texas Carnival' ... is that it seems even shorter than its running time of an hour and a quarter. ... I'm glad to note that the studio is letting Skelton loosen up again; he's a clown first and a straight man second, and don't let anybody forget it."[1]
According to MGM records, the film earned $2,366,000 in the U.S. and Canada and $1,454,000 elsewhere, resulting in a profit of $681,000.[1]