Now, for the hundreds of thousands of people who read and loved both of nivens books, comes esther williamss wonderfully witty, fresh, and frank autobiography. Meanwhile, for most of that time i was working twelvehour days in that huge pool at mgm. Williams was the million dollar mermaid, a nickname that stuck with her and that she chose as the title of her autobiography. There are two seminal events that crop up at the beginning of the million dollar mermaid. Dec 05, 2011 esther williams in million dollar mermaid 1952 click for source designers helen rose and walter plunkett fitted me in an extraordinary swim costumemuch like a divers body suit, only covered, including the soles of the feet, with gold sequins, fifty thousand of themlike chain mail. Williams writes the story of a real person, a sparkling icon survivor story, and paints a picture of hollywood bursting with gossip juicy enough to make hedda and. Esther williams reveals how she fought the cold war from a hollywood pool in the million dollar mermaid. Well, she called her 1999 autobiography the million dollar mermaid. Esther williams secured her status as americas swimming sweetheart with million dollar mermaid 1952, a story loosely based on the reallife australian swimmer annette kellerman. But as her entertaining autobiography reveals, there was more to the career and the personal life than water. Williams writes the story of a real person, a sparkling icon survivor story, and paints a picture of hollywood bursting with gossip juicy enough to make hedda and louella green. This million dollar mermaid urged women to be physically free kellerman railed against the restrictive clothing women were expected to wear both in the sea and on land.
Esther williams latest splash no secret is sacred in. Esther williams the million dollar mermaid youtube. As predicted in trade publications, million dollar mermaid was a hit and was one of the top money makers of the year for mgm. Million dollar mermaid is an uneven esther williams vehicle. The director of on an island with you did not cushion the bottom of the hole and williams sprained her ankle, according to her autobiography, the million dollar mermaid. Magnin and her subsequent movie stardom and marriages. Million dollar mermaid also known as the one piece bathing suit in the uk is a 1952 metrogoldwynmayer biographical musical film of the life of australian swimming star annette kellerman. Million dollar mermaid 1952 the blonde at the film. May 26, 2017 million dollar mermaid was the 1952 blockbuster that cemented swimmer and aquamusical star esther williams as a hollywood luminary. Williams about a wide range of topics, from her husband fernando lamass sometimes philandering ways to crossdressing in hollywood. Esther williams book, an autobiography, the million dollar mermaid is also the name of one of esthers best films that she made at mgm. With a sharp mind and a rapier wit, esther williams brings to life those times and those biggerthanlife people, telling her stories with respect, yet with cleareyed candor. One occurs when esther williams faces down a young man who had been living with her family, and raping her, regularly, for over two years. Apr, 2020 esther williams character falls in a hole in the jungle in one scene.
Digby diehl a legendary film star offers her perspective on life during hollywoods golden age, chronicling her youthful idealism, her training to be a star, and her own tempestuous personal life. The million dollar mermaid by esther williams, digby. Apr 02, 2016 esther williams the million dollar mermaid. Besides donning a swim cap as a pro athlete, this allaround icon was also a movie star, singer, dancer, businesswoman, and swimwear designer. Watch million dollar mermaid starring esther williams in this drama on directv. Biopic of australian swimming champ and entertainer annette kellerman. Esther jane williams grew up destined for a career in athletics. The press portrayed me as a kind of postworld war ii version of martha stewart the mermaid tycoon, as i was dubbed on the cover of life. The only draw back that i could find would be she leaves out her life from late 80s to the time her bio. Esther williams was hollywoods one and only movie mermaid, a swimming star who made relatively few movies considering her lasting fame. To ask other readers questions about the million dollar mermaid, please sign up. Digby diehl is the coauthor of the million dollar mermaid, the astoldto autobiography of esther williams. The million dollar mermaid summary the million dollar mermaid.
Esther was a famed synchronized swimmer who performed in such iconic film as bathing beauty and million dollar mermaid. Over the years esther williams s watery movies have become kitsch classics. An autobiography new edition by esther williams, digby diehl isbn. Esther williams deleted audio tahiti sea of the moon pagan love song howard keel duration. Like so many other astoldto books, the memories often feel selfserving, and.
Esther williams youth was spent as a teenage swimming champion. Esther williams, the aptly titled million dollar mermaid of the movies of hollywoods golden era, tells the story of her life in the vivid text of her outstanding autobiography. Million dollar mermaid premiered in december 1952, and in january esther williams was voted the number one female movie star in fifty countries by the hollywood foreign press association the golden globe people. A onetime little mermaid remembers swimming with esther williams. Esther williams took on the reallife story of annette. Esther williams, the million dollar mermaid of classic hollywood who has died aged 91, was also a talented disher of dirt. Unable to compete in the 1940 summer olympics because of the outbreak of world war ii, she joined billy roses aquacade, where she took on the role vacated by. An autobiography by digby diehl, esther williams and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
See more ideas about esther williams, million dollar mermaid and ester williams. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. This is the story of her life, from humble beginnings with parents who struggled during the depression to career ambitions to be a buyer at i. Esther williams author of the million dollar mermaid. Glamorous, amphibious esther williams portrays the reallife aquatic star in a splashy biopic costarring victor mature and loaded with stunning spectacle including a mustsee busby berkeley masterwork. The 194050 williams s films, like neptunes daughter, thrill of a romance and million dollar mermaid, are featured on cable televisions movie channels, so a younger generation of viewers is familiar with the signature. Million dollar mermaid by esther williams, 97801560158, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. While gene kelly danced and judy garland sang, esther williams swam into. Esther jane williams was a competitive swimmer and actress. She was voted among the most popular film stars in america and europe throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Million dollar mermaid by mervyn leroy esther williams. Find books like the million dollar mermaid from the worlds largest community of readers. Watch million dollar mermaid online stream full movie directv.
How the million dollar mermaid costume almost killed esther. Million dollar mermaid written by the late esther williams came out in 1999. The million dollar mermaids splashy, hyperreal aquacades were choreographed by busby berkeley and featured williams rising out of a cascading waterfall amidst a backdrop of gold lamesuited mermaids, all spinning and spiraling like tangoing starfish to create a kaleidoscope of human pattern and movement. Jul 07, 2008 esther williams the million dollar mermaid.
An autobiography by esther williams 25sep1999 hardcover. The opportunity in roses aquacade would lead to her catching the eye of mgms louis b. In these highlights from her memoir, she offers revelations about. Nov 02, 2017 the amazing life of australias million dollar mermaid the extraordinary australian woman broke records in the swimming pool before becoming a vaudeville performer, fitness guru and. Esther williams, million dollar mermaid seamwork magazine.
In a particularly captivating scene, one of the most. Oct 01, 2017 esther williams deleted audio tahiti sea of the moon pagan love song howard keel duration. The million dollar mermaid by esther williams, digby diehl. Sep 14, 2000 digby diehl is the coauthor of the million dollar mermaid, the astoldto autobiography of esther williams.
As a teenager, williams set multiple national and regional swimming records, and had planned to compete in the 1940 summer olympics but it was cancelled because of the outbreak of wwii. Her youth was spent as a teenage swimming champion and she won three united states national championships. The amazing life of australias milliondollar mermaid. It was directed by mervyn leroy and produced by arthur hornblow jr. In million dollar mermaid, williams plays annette kellerman, a reallife australian swimming star who took up the sport as a child to strengthen her legs, which were severely weakened by a birth defect. Dive in to read more about how the million dollar mermaid made waves in sports, film, and fashion. Mayer, who according to williams in her 1999 autobiography, the million dollar mermaid, had to give quite the effort to get the recently married esther s name on a contract. The million dollar mermaid book, which she coauthored with digby diehl, is chattily rrated, full of stories about smart, sensible esther asserting a wily independence that might be called. And now, with the publication of her autobiography, williams shares candid tales of her life as hollywoods million dollar mermaid. An autobiography by esther williams 25sep1999 hardcover on. The treatment proves effective, and as she grows to adulthood, annette shows that she has the talent to be a champion swimmer, though she. I was fifteen, and the years of hard swimming had packed muscle on my frame and made me very strong. If your an fan of classic film actresses this would be an good read. Esther williams in million dollar mermaid 1952 click for source designers helen rose and walter plunkett fitted me in an extraordinary swim costumemuch like a divers body suit, only covered, including the soles of the feet, with gold sequins, fifty thousand of themlike chain mail.
The million dollar mermaid, esther williams autobiography. Esther williams is interviewed by connie martinson about her book the million dollar mermaid. And now, with the publication of her autobiography, million dollar mermaid, williams shares candid tales of her life as hollywoods dampest denizen. The million dollar mermaid by esther williams goodreads. Goodreads members who liked the million dollar mermaid also lik. How the million dollar mermaid costume almost killed. The movie, full of romance, music, and dazzling underwater spectacles, remains one of the definitive films of williams career. Bathing beauty esther williams spent so much of her film career in swim suits that early. See more ideas about esther williams, ester williams and million dollar mermaid.
Esther williams tcm star of the month may 2011 immortal. It was a conversation as lively and open as her book. Million dollar mermaid the one piece bathing suit 1,000,000. A musical romantic drama, this biopic tells the story of influential australian swimmer annette kellerman esther williams, who broke gender barriers while becoming a pioneer of synchronized swimming. Million dollar mermaid marked the the last onscreen credit for berkely until the 1962 mgm production of jumbo, on which he was credited as the second unit director. The million dollar mermaid isnt just the name of one of the most memorable films starring the mermaid esther williams, it is also the name of her autobiography, written with digby diehl, and its one of the most honest accounts of a hollywood star and of hollywood itself that i have ever read esther s book, an autobiography was a great read from start to finish, and i loved how. The million dollar mermaid by esther williams used. With esther williams, victor mature, walter pidgeon, david brian. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Its no secret that we love swim icon esther william s ravishingly retro swimsuit line, but were also inspired by her supremely successful life.
Digby diehl the author offers her perspective on life during hollywoods golden age, chronicling her youthful idealism, her training to be a star, and her own tempestuous personal life. Million dollar mermaid movie quotes rotten tomatoes. Esther jane williams was born on august 8, 1921 in inglewood, california. May 28, 2014 annettes life was often controversial but always exhilarating, and was immortalised in the 1950s esther williams classic the million dollar mermaid. Sep 20, 1999 mermaid recounts opulence, decadence of hollywood the million dollar mermaid by esther williams and digby diehl. At a time when women were not known for athletic ability, williams was the u. Not since david niven wrote the bestselling the moons a balloon has one of hollywoods great stars written with real wit and candour about what it was. Filled with behindthescenes gossip and tales of real life in a fantasy world, the million dollar mermaid is the book legions of film fans.
An autobiography by esther williams this is esther williams witty autobiography, all about an 18yearold girl who reluctantly answers the call of mgm and finds herself launched in a career that lasted almost 20 years. She titled her autobiography, published in 1999, the million dollar mermaid. The music score was by adolph deutsch, the cinematography by george folsey and the choreography by. Water ballet show at the hippodrome from the movie about anette kellerman million dollar mermaid, starring esther williams. In million dollar mermaid, williams plays annette kellerman, a reallife australian swimming star who took up the sport as a child to strengthen her legs, which were severely weakened by a birth. An autobiography by esther williams and digby diehl 2000, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. As i look back through the filing cabinet of my life while writing this. Film star williams reveals all, including how every hair and eyelash remained in place during the spectacular water ballets that were the core of most of her movies. Esther jane williams august 8, 1921 june 6, 20 was an american competitive swimmer and actress. An autobiography by esther williams and digby diehl 1999, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. Esther williams, 91, million dollar mermaid the boston. Yet she was to end her days alone and penniless on queenslands gold coast, selling her old fur coat to pay the bills.