Aqua Babes

Aqua Babes (1955)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

I watch every short that shows up on Turner Classic Movies but when a Sportscope one comes on I always shutter because the quality is mostly always bland. This short takes a look at the swimming school by Lissa Bengston who is teaching three and four-year-olds. We see the various techniques she uses to teach the kids the proper way to swim. I'm surprised TCM showed this in the evening because the camp value makes it something they should have played during their Underground programming since that block is usually left for the bizarre and strange. I'm sure Bengston was a master at what she did but if I ever saw her handling my child the way she does those in this film then there would be a major problem. The short starts off with her flipping and then tossing kids into the pool and later in the film we're greeted to images of her using rope to tie the hands of children so that they can't use them when they swim. Yes, Bengston is right there the entire time but the risk factor just makes one watch this short is somewhat of a state of shock. It's also clear that the kids are freezing during one scene as each one of them are shaking so it's clear that RKO were doing what it took to get their shots. AQUA BABES is a very bizarre film that is so strange and different that it should keep one entertained.