Day 79: Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)
In honor of the great Esther Williams, who passed away this week, I suggest this film. Million Dollar Mermaid is based on the life of Australian swimming sensation Annette Kellerman. Kellerman, in the early 1900s was an advocate for women's rights, particularly toward athletics such as swimming. Kellerman devised more comfortable suits for women to wear, really the first one piece, and caused a minor scandal. Williams was the perfect person to play Kellerman, for Williams herself was an advocate of women's swimming, and later became a business woman of some standing with her Esther Williams swimsuits, that you can still buy. Now, don't get me wrong, the film is only peripherally feminist, for in general the plot spends most of its time tracing Annette's relationships, versus her amazing career as a professional swimmer and voice for women's sports. The film, produced through MGM, is typical of the studio's extravaganzas with color, flash and over the top music scores. The movie picked up an Oscar for best use of color and Cinematography. MGM even brought Busby Berkeley back to choreograph more of his iconic kaleidoscope set pieces.
Themes: Women and sports, Health, early 1900s Australia and America, Vaudeville
Media Literacy Questions for Kids: Why was Annette Kellerman seen as such a rebel? How did the filmmaker suggest the era of Kellerman's life? How has society changed toward ideas of dress and athleticism of women?
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