Esther Williams, Joan Evans, and Vivian Blaine are WAVEs seeking romance in this exuberant musical-comedy. Esther gets to show off her underwater abilities; Barry Sullivan, Keefe Brasselle, and Dean Miller are the handsome gentlemen; Debbie Reynolds and Bobby Van play themselves in cameos; and songs include "Glad to Have You Aboard," "I Get a Funny Feeling." 109 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.

In her first MGM leading role, Esther Williams swims her way to stardom as an aquatic instructor at a girls' school who is wooed by songwriter Red Skelton, in "Bathing Beauty" (1944). Basil Rathbone co-stars; songs include "Tico-Tico," "Bim, Bam, Boom." Then, socialite Williams sues newspaperman Van Johnson after a less-than-flattering article is run about her, in "Easy To Wed" (1946). Lucille Ball and Keenan Wynn also star; songs include "Come Closer to Me," "Continental Polka." "On An Island With You" (1948) finds Hollywood star Williams on location in Hawaii and wooed by smooth sailor Peter Lawford. With Ricardo Montalban, Jimmy Durante; includes the songs "If I Were You," "Wedding Samba." Next, Williams plays a bathing suit designer who must fend off the advances of Latin lothario Montalban, in "Neptune's Daughter" (1949), co-starring Skelton and featuring the Oscar-winning tune "Baby, It's Cold Outside." And, small-town girl Williams tries to become famous by swimming the EnglishChannel, in "Dangerous When Wet" (1953). Fernando Lamas co-stars. 8 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English; interview; bonus shorts; outtakes; more. Five-disc set.

First, "Thrill Of A Romance" (1945) stars Esther Williams as a swimming newlywed who does a backstroke over Army Air Corps hero Van Johnson--complicating her new nuptials. With Henry Travers, Lauritz Melchior. Next, "Fiesta" (1947) has Williams posing as her matador brother in order to save her family's name. Ricardo Montalban, Cyd Charisse co-star. "This Time for Keeps" (1947) features Esther as a bathing-suited performer who catches the eye of an opera singer's son. Melchior, Jimmy Durante, Johnnie Johnston co-star. In "Pagan Love Song" (1950), Howard Keel shines as a teacher in Tahiti who falls for Williams--mistakenly believing that she is an island native. Rita Moreno co-stars. Then, "Million Dollar Mermaid" (1952) is an enjoyable biopic of 1890s swimming great Annette Kellerman, with Williams, Victor Mature, Walter Pidgeon. AKA: "The One Piece Bathing Suit." Lastly, "Easy To Love" (1953) focuses on secretary Esther's attempts to make boss Van Johnson notice her. With Tony Martin, John Bromfield. 10 hrs. total on six discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH); bonus shorts; bonus cartoons; outtakes.

Carnival dunk tank performers Esther Williams and Red Skelton get into trouble at a Texas resort when Red poses as a millionaire oil tycoon. Howard Keel, Ann Miller, Keenan Wynn, and Glenn Strange co-star; songs include "It's Dynamite," "Young Folks Should Get Married" and "Deep in the Heart of Texas." 77 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.

Sun Valley's the setting for this romantic comedy with Esther Williams as (surprise!) a swimming star who tries to help a girlfriend's romance along, but only manages to make her own boyfriend jealous. Van Johnson, Paula Raymond, John Lund co-star, with cameos by Lena Horne, Eleanor Powell, and Red Skelton. Songs include "Warm Hands, Cold Heart," "You Won't Forget Me." 98 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English; deleted scenes.