{"product_id":"21158-williams-esther-signed-photograph-of-america-s-mermaid","title":"Williams, Esther. (1921–2013) Signed Photograph of \"America's Mermaid\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eSigned photograph of the American competitive swimmer and actress, star of \"aquamusicals\" such as \u003ci\u003eBathing Beauty\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eMillion Dollar Mermaid\u003c\/i\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEsther 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 \u003ci\u003eBathing Beauty\u003c\/i\u003e, was originally entitled \u003ci\u003eMr. Co-Ed\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom 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 \u003ci\u003eGay Community News\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eEsplanade\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eTommy's Connection\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Mirror\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eBay Windows\u003c\/i\u003e and other publications.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Schubertiade Music and Arts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46093772292255,"sku":"21158","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/4826\/7423\/files\/Williams_Esther_Signed_Photograph_21158.jpg?v=1722190249","url":"https:\/\/www.schubertiademusic.com\/products\/21158-williams-esther-signed-photograph-of-america-s-mermaid","provider":"Schubertiade Music and Arts","version":"1.0","type":"link"}