Esther Williams: Filmdom's "Million Dollar Mermaid"

[ClassyCo]

Esther Williams was a major star for MGM in the 1940s and 1950s. Trained as a swimmer, she starred in a series of commercially successful musical films that showcased her swimming talents. Because of the novelty of her films, they were nicknamed "aqua-musicals" by the industry. Her nickname -- "Million Dollar Mermaid" -- was derived from her 1952 film of the same title, in which she starred as swimmer-turned-actress Annette Kellerman.

Anyone out there a fan?
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[Crimson]

"Wet, she's a star. Dry, she ain't." -- Fanny Brice

Esther Williams is one of the great curiosities of Old Hollywood. She was pretty and came across as nice, so could have had a career not unlike June Allyson or Betty Grable. But those swimming musicals were ... odd. I've never seen one in its entirety, but from what I've seen they were far less kitschy than I imagined; they seemed downright stodgy, with none of the manic energy some 40s musicals could muster (Carmen Miranda).

The only Esther Williams movie I've ever seen was EASY TO WED; whoever at MGM thought she was a suitable replacement for Myrna Loy was nuts.

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

A classy woman

 

[ClassyCo]

The only Esther Williams movie I've ever seen was EASY TO WED; whoever at MGM thought she was a suitable replacement for Myrna Loy was nuts.

EASY TO WED was a remake of LIBELED LADY. And not only did MGM think Williams was a suitable stand-in for Loy, they felt Lucille Ball was a suitable replacement for Jean Harlow.
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Esther Williams is one of the great curiosities of Old Hollywood.

Apparently MGM wanted Williams as a swimming counterpart to Fox's skating star, Sonja Henie.

But those swimming musicals were ... odd. I've never seen one in its entirety, but from what I've seen they were far less kitschy than I imagined; they seemed downright stodgy, with none of the manic energy some 40s musicals could muster (Carmen Miranda)

Considering the hype surrounding the novelty of Williams' films, you're right -- they don't quite deliver the "pizzazz" one would think. They're big, colorful, and empty movies, but some of them are downright enjoyable as the old-fashioned relics that they are. They are certainly films from another era, but even I must admit that I wish they generated the sparkle of a Betty Grable, Alice Faye, or Carmen Miranda WWII musical.​

 

[darkshadows38]

i think the only thing i ever saw her in was in one of the Andy Hardy Pictures and holy shit was she tall right next to Mickey Rooney it was just to funny