PlatinumRead Just so...so bad

KnotStronger This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Myron Clemons A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

Patience Watson One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

David Lobosco I remember seeing the movie THE UNGUARDED MOMENT during my early days of collecting movies when the VCR was just hitting the height of its popularity, so unfortunately I do not have a copy of the film. There has never been a commercial release of this movie on VHS or DVD for that matter. It is surprising because it marks a very different role for Esther Williams. She actually stayed dry in the movie, and the plot which actually was pretty dark and realistic for 1956 audiences.Lois Conway (played by swimmer Esther Williams) is an attractive high school music teacher who has a 1950s bullet bra figure that attracts the attention of lustful sexual psycho student, Leonard Bennett (John Saxon). At home Leonard's father (Edward Andrews) is a creepy repressive misogynistic who lectures his son about the dangers of all women, like his dirty, dead mother.Lois begins to receive secret notes slipped into her purse and school papers. Quickly the notes become more obscene, and after receiving one asking her to meet at night in the locker room, she goes, hoping to discourage her admirer. Bad move! In the darkness a flashlight glares in her face and she is sexually molested by her unidentified predator. With the help of police lieutenant Harry Graham (George Nader), Lois does her best to fend off future attacks, while trying to keep from suffering a nervous breakdown herself! Look for 1950s teenage haircuts and clothes. Cool-looking teen hangout, "The Sugar Shop" is where all the cool cats and kittens go to dance to the rock and roll jukebox! Lots of boogie woogie tunes and jiving at the high school dance. It's rare to see a 50's teenage JD film in color! Esther Williams, George Nader, John Saxon, Edward Andrews, Les Tremayne, Jack Albertson, Dani Crayne, John Wilder, Edward Platt, Eleanor Audley, Robert Williams, Diane Jergens.Esther Williams gets her first post MGM starring role and gets off to a good start. This film is a well acted entertaining suspense with a mature theme that would be repeated a million times more in the future - innocent girl stalked creepy woman hater. Esther looks great and if she wanted to, probably could have gone on to do more and better films but according to her autobiography,pretty much gave up working for marriage. Either way she is so likable and engaging that its fun to see her in a totally different role outside of the 'swimming musical'.Universal was fabulous for making films with former MGM stars after that studio began dropping its biggest names as it began to slide down hill. Stars like Lana Turner, June Allyson and others got to make quality first rate films at Universal that MGM would not allow them to make. I wish Esther had made more but since she didn't, it makes this one all the more special. The movie really changed my opinion of the acting ability of Esther Williams.If you get the rare chance to see THE UNGUARDED MOMENT, I recommend it...

st-shot As clueless but compassionate high school educator Esther Williams is a fish out of water in this sensationalized hot for teacher drama featuring a variety of lurid fetishes and poor performances. A contemporary of Blackboard Jungle and Rebel without a Cause it finishes dead last in the teen angst genre of its day, setting the bar so low it defies any other glossy flic to limbo under it.Attractive Lois Conway (Williams) is a high school boy's daydream and fantasy who begins to get unwanted attention through mash notes and stalking. A woman has been murdered in the generally crime free suburban setting but Conway brazenly agrees to meet her stalker under the football stands at night without back-up. A firm believer in coddling youth she is rewarded by being assaulted. Detective Harry Graham (George Nader) handling the murder case tries to talk some sense into Conway who brusquely ignores his warnings with bullheaded charges back into harm's way. It's bad enough Conway spends most of the film displaying the common sense of a teen in a hacker film going into dark places by herself especially with the pedestrian dramatic acting abilities of Ms. Williams. In dry dock and without her signature aquatic acrobatics her performance is one long dive. Nader's detective is just as unemotive as Williams and John Saxon debuting as the latest entry in the new Brando sweepstakes seems to catch what the leads have; lack of conviction. Only Edward Andrews as the restrained at first misogynistic father of Saxon offers a performance of interest. An iconic figure of condescending authority in television and film he's allowed to stretch with a disturbed detachment and runs away with the film.Director Charles Kelleher is no Sirk or Ray but he does have William Daniels lensing and there are some excellently lit and photographed evening scenes that build maximum suspense in a film however that can only be enjoyed for the wrong reasons.

bkoganbing Although Esther Williams got out of the pool in her first film outside MGM one look at this must have had her longing for her own set with water tank that MGM gave her.Esther plays a high school music teacher who starts getting mash notes that are getting more and more explicit. They seem to be coming from a popular jock at her high school played by John Saxon. You'd think this kid could get about any girl in the school, but Saxon has issues, specifically dad issues and dad is played by the self righteous and repressed Edward Andrews.Things aren't really handled well in fact the investigating detective who believes Esther is in danger is the only one who really has her back. George Nader is the detective, but he shouldn't have gotten involved with Williams while there was an active case. Not professional behavior, he should have been reprimanded or worse.Next to her swim suit spectaculars at MGM, The Unguarded Moment comes off as distinctly second rate. Best in the film by far is Edward Andrews. He will really creep you out.Esther's fans might be disappointed.

Hoohawnaynay Wow, what a great piece of 50's trash! Lush, colorful sets, great old cars and Esther walking around in sexy 50's tight dresses. The plot has already been mentioned above so I won't rehash. One question that sticks out in my mind, who would say no to John Saxon, he is a sex god in this movie, like an hunkier, hornier Sal Mineo! If they had gotten George Nader to take his shirt off more in this it would have been a 50's wet dream! Sexual repression doesn't get any better than this movie! Even Saxon's dad played by Edward Andrews is an old perv..everything was so subtle in this era...Esther Willaims actually was a pretty good actress here, they should have used her in more movies like this!