AllMovie

An enormous financial failure that resulted in many of its principals being released from their contracts, Jupiter's Darling is a curious mixture of styles and genres that just doesn't come together -- but which nonetheless provides a moderate amount of entertainment value. As in most Esther Williams vehicles, the aquatic sequences (in this instance, a living statues ballet and an underwater chase) are highlights. Seen by themselves, they're quite impressive; unfortunately, they're surrounded by a musical that lumbers more than it dances, unsure of exactly what it is doing and, even more so, why it is doing it. Thus, there's a little bit of everything but not a whole lot of something. The Burton Lane-Harold Adamson score is serviceable but so-so; the screenplay has a few witty lines but not enough. The cast is generally good, although Williams and Howard Keel fail to really click; much better are George Sanders, smooth as always, and a supporting cast of reliable character actors such as Richard Haydn and William Frawley. Marge and Gower Champion aren't given enough to do, but they work a little magic with what they have; those who view the version of the film that includes the deleted "I Have a Dream" reprise will get to enjoy some stunning, hot work from the duo, as well as the surprisingly attractive vocals of Sanders. Any version, however, features the lavish production values -- that even include colored elephants!