Bathing Beauty was Hollywood’s first swimming movie, and it created a new genre that was perfectly suited to Esther Williams beauty and athletic skills. A special 90-foot square, 20-foot deep pool was built at Stage 30 on the MGM lot, complete with hydraulic lifts, hidden air hoses and special camera cranes for overhead shots.
“No one had ever done a swimming movie before,” she explains, “so we just made it up as we went along. I ad-libbed all my own underwater movements.” Famous choreographer Busby Berkeley was responsible for the film’s elaborate water scenes – complete with fountains, flames, smoke and, as Williams herself admits, lots of pretty girls swimming around with bows in their hair. It worked,Bathing Beauty was second only to Gone with the Wind as the most successful film of 1944.
Check out Esther Williams.com for some lovely imagery and links to genuine 1940’s swimwear
that mimics the rough shark denticles to reduce drag along key areas of the body. The characteristics of the fabric improve shape retention and increase muscle compression to reduce vibration and retain muscle shape to reduce fatigue and power loss.
retro bathing suits
She's a real classic! :)
Just timeless…. Oh I tagged you over at my blog, just to let you know. :)
Great post.
I also write a post about Esther Williams :
http://dsata.blogspot.com/2009/07/esther-williams-bathing-beauty.html
Esther is such a timelessly wonderful beauty! I adore her films and never tire of how seeing a photo of her makes me long to go swimming at once! :)
Wishing you a splendid Thursday!
♥ Jessica
Gotta love Esther Williams, the swimming movie you mentioned is one of my favourites :-)
I LOVE Esther Williams. Such glamorous films. Thanks for the post.