BATHING BEAUTY: Blu-ray (MGM, 1944) Warner Archive
“Let’s get one thing straight…I know I can’t act. I know I can’t dance…and I can’t sing, but I’m going to keep trying until I get it right!” – Esther Williams All self-deprecating humor aside, this infamous quote from Williams, given to a reporter at the time she was shooting the second movie in which she was to receive co-star billing, 1945’s Thrill of a Romance , is likely the one piece of adlib the actress wished she could forever thereafter retract. Williams’ harshest critics were always ready to concur with this assessment, apparently, unaware how difficult it was to swim laps like a pro and still emerge from the briny looking like the prom queen. However, as New York Times’ Bosley Crowther once concluded: “I’m really lost about Esther Williams’ work in the movies…but if nothing else, they had to be extremely difficult and dangerous to shoot!” Williams’ tenure as America’s mermaid in 26 aquacade movies for MGM saw her through multiple pregnancies, and, as many physical injurie
