Behind the Scenes of Jupiter's Darling: A Look at the 1955 Film

“Jupiter’s Darling” is a 1955 American musical film directed by George Sidney and starring Esther Williams, Howard Keel, and Marge Champion. The movie is based on the operetta “Jupiter” by George Frideric Handel. The film was produced by Arthur Freed and released by MGM.

The movie tells the story of a Roman general, Hamilcar Barca, who falls in love with a slave girl, Amytis, who is a spy for the Carthaginians. The film features several musical numbers, including the song “Jupiter, Jupiter” and “When Love Beckoned”

Esther Williams was cast as Amytis, Howard Keel as Hamilcar Barca, and Marge Champion as Serenade. The film also features George Sanders and George Sidney in supporting roles.

The film was not a commercial success and received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised the musical numbers, but others criticized the script and the performances. Despite this, the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture.

Here are some fascinating behind-the-scenes photos and stills from the movie.

#1 Esther Williams Posing in a Swimsuit

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#2 A cinema in Damascus, Syria, showing various films including the MGM musical romance ‘Jupiter’s Darling’, 1955

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#3 Actor Howard Keel helps co-star Esther Williams set up a shot during a location shoot for the MGM film ‘Jupiter’s Darling’ in Sky Valley, 1955.

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#4 Esther Williams on the set of Jupiter’s Darling filmed in the pool specially construced for her in Stage 30 on the MGM lot in 1955 in Culver City, California.

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#5 Esther Williams on the set of Jupiter’s Darling filmed in the pool specially construced for her in Stage

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#6 Esther Williams on the set of Jupiter’s Darling filmed in the pool specially construced for her in Stage 30 on the MGM lot in 1955 in Culver City, California.

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#7 Esther Williams on the set of Jupiter’s Darling filmed in the pool specially construced for her in Stage

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#8 Esther Williams as Amytis and Howard Keel as Hannibal in a publicity still for ‘Jupiter’s Darling’, directed by George Sidney, 1955.

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#9 Howard Keel has lunch with a woman in publicity portrait for the film ‘Jupiter’s Darling’, 1955

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#10 Howard Keel tugs on Esther Williams’ necklace in a scene from the film ‘Jupiter’s Darling’, 1955

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#11 Howard Keel kneeling before Esther Williams in a scene from the film ‘Jupiter’s Darling’, 1955.

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#12 Howard Keel points knife at the neck of Esther Williams in a scene from the film ‘Jupiter’s Darling’, 1955.

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#13 George Sanders watching soldiers pointing to map in a scene from the film ‘Jupiter’s Darling’, 1955

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#14 Gower Champion, Marge Champion, Norma Varden watch Esther Williams getting pointed at by George Sanders with in a scene from the film ‘Jupiter’s Darling’, 1955

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#15 George Sidney wears a diving mask while directing American swimmer and actor Esther Williams in a swimming pool on the set of his film, ‘Jupiter’s Darling’.

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#16 Esther Williams listens to explanations from director George Sidney about the underwater camera that will photograph the actress in Jupiter’s Darling,

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#17 George Sidney, Howard Keel, Esther Williams, George Sanders, 1951

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#18 George Sidney, Howard Keel, Esther Williams in ‘Jupiter’s Darling’, 1955

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#19 George Sidney, Howard Keel, Esther Williams in ‘Jupiter’s Darling’, 1955

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#20 Esther Williams shows off her nice legs.

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#21 Esther William wears these gay plaid shorts topped by a vest of forest green linen for a day at the beach.

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