Laughable melodrama featuring Esther Williams--straying too far from the swimming tank--as a totally innocent music teacher who attracts the unwanted advances of a lustful (and, I would say, psychologically damaged) teenage student (John Saxon, who admirably doesn't go too far with the wild-eyed bit). Saxon would like to teach Esther a thing or two about the birds and the bees, and judging from her complacent demeanor she could probably use it! Worse, when she complains to the boy's father, the snarling wolf sexually harasses her too! Strictly B-grade stuff, although Edward Andrews is impressively creepy as Saxon's father, Williams OK in a fairly hopeless role. Actress Rosalind Russell co-wrote the story, but perhaps was too old to play the lead herself. *1/2 from ****

In her first nonaquatic role, Esther Williams plays a school teacher who's the victim of sexual assault. She gives a fine performance, proving she could be highly effective out of the swimming pool. As the detective out to solve the case, George Nader gives perhaps his finest performance. And he is so handsome it hurts! John Saxon is the student under suspicion, and although he gets impressive billing in the credits, it's Edward Andrews as his overly-protective father who is the standout.

Bathed in glorious Technicolor, The Unguarded Moment is irresistible hokum and at times compelling drama.

That's the saving grace of this film-they saw it coming where principals wouldn't believe their teachers, but would take the part of the students. Of course, there is irony in this film because of the way it turns out who the true culprit is.

People are being assaulted in a town; a murder results and a teachers begins receiving notes from a student looking for a good time.

Naturally, love blossoms between Esther Williams, who really shows some depth in acting. Perhaps, it was finally time for Miss Esther to get out of the water and tackle other areas. She does succeed here.

Edward Andrews, who always was the sneaky, crafty, nasty person in films steals the show as a guy sexually hung-up. No wonder his wife left him. John Saxon makes an interesting appearance as his conflicted son.

Not a bad film at all.