Aquatic House Party (1950)

It says here that seals are cleverer than horses! Well, they were clearly not bright enough to turn down the month’s supply of mackerel they we given to star in this curious observation piece set in a Californian swimming pool. It’s a sort of indoor/outdoor construction that is populated by scantily clad, peroxide, nymphs who are clearly having a fun time splashing about in the summer as if preparing for the swimsuit round of a Miss America competition. Then the aforementioned mammals make their appearance and put the aquatic skills of their human counterparts to shame as they lithely navigate this not very deep pool with aplomb. Next it is the turn of the men to show off their prowess, but apart from a promising but ultimately disappointing attempt at a “69” from two speedo-clad youths on a diving board, they too are easily outclassed by the seals who do that altogether better too. Possibly because they are more used to rubber? There is no natural sound which is peculiar given the amount of splashing and frivolity going on and the musical soundtrack is bizarre. It’s terrible, too, but mainly just bizarre. Was it intended as a silent film? Couldn’t they get a waterproof boom? Had the budget all gone on factor 40 and herring? Anyway, it won an Oscar beating both the much more exciting “Spills and Chills” and Pete West’s send up of unwanted dinner guests, but hey - maybe some of these poolside players were well connected in Hollywood? The seals, perhaps?