Signed photograph of the American competitive swimmer and actress, star of "aquamusicals" such as Bathing Beauty and Million Dollar Mermaid. Williams has signed her name in an aptly aquamarine blue to the upper left corner. Light wear to margins, else fine. 8 x 10 inches; 20.3 x 25.4 cm.
Esther Williams, picked out of a lineup of 75 hopefuls to perform in the Aquacade at San Francisco's World's Fair in 1940, became "America's Mermaid," one of the most popular and profitable movie stars of the 1940s and 50s. Her breakout film, 1944's Bathing Beauty, was originally entitled Mr. Co-Ed and focused more heavily on co-star Red Skelton's character, but when MGM executives saw an early cut of the film, they insisted that it be re-edited and re-titled to focus on Williams's performance.
From the collection of Paul McMahon, a critic, photographer and artist who worked for more than 13 years touring with Marlene Dietrich as the icon's stage manager, announcer, dresser, secretary and escort, and later spent 25 years as an arts and entertainment reviewer and photographer with Gay Community News, Esplanade, Tommy's Connection, The Mirror, Bay Windows and other publications.
Signed photograph of the American competitive swimmer and actress, star of "aquamusicals" such as Bathing Beauty and Million Dollar Mermaid. Williams has signed her name in an aptly aquamarine blue to the upper left corner. Light wear to margins, else fine. 8 x 10 inches; 20.3 x 25.4 cm.
Esther Williams, picked out of a lineup of 75 hopefuls to perform in the Aquacade at San Francisco's World's Fair in 1940, became "America's Mermaid," one of the most popular and profitable movie stars of the 1940s and 50s. Her breakout film, 1944's Bathing Beauty, was originally entitled Mr. Co-Ed and focused more heavily on co-star Red Skelton's character, but when MGM executives saw an early cut of the film, they insisted that it be re-edited and re-titled to focus on Williams's performance.
From the collection of Paul McMahon, a critic, photographer and artist who worked for more than 13 years touring with Marlene Dietrich as the icon's stage manager, announcer, dresser, secretary and escort, and later spent 25 years as an arts and entertainment reviewer and photographer with Gay Community News, Esplanade, Tommy's Connection, The Mirror, Bay Windows and other publications.