The Mermaid of the States: Esther Williams

>> Williams was one of the great stars of MGM Studios. She was a part of classics like Ziegfeld Follies (1945), Neptune's Daughter (1949) and Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949), but above all Bathing Beauty (1944).

>> Her bathing suit-clad publicity photo was one of the favourite pin-ups of US soldiers during World War II.

>> During her film career she appeared in films along with icons such as Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Ricardo Montalban and Howard Keel.

>> In the 1950s she was known as "America's Mermaid."

>> She filed a lawsuit against MGM, a film production company for use of some footage in That's Entertainment! (1974).

>> Her film career promoted competitive and synchronised swimming, which she is credited with popularising.u00a0