MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID [1952 / 2020] [Warner Archive Collection] [Blu-ray] [USA Release] M-G-M’s Miracle TECHNICOLOR Musical! Inspired By The True Story Of Bathing Beauty Annette Kellerman!
James Sullivan [Victor Mature] works the carny circuit, promoting the likes of a boxing kangaroo or grappling bear. Then the wheeler-dealer meets a million-dollar idea: beautiful swimming champ Annette Kellerman [Esther Williams]. She'll churn through a River Thames PR stunt. Cause a bathing-suit scandal among Boston bluebloods. Headline New York’s Hippodrome. And becomes a Hollywood “swimsation” as cameras roll and Rin Tin Tin looks on.
Glamorous, amphibious Esther Williams portrays the real-life aquatic star in a splashy biopic co-starring Victor Mature and loaded with stunning spectacle (including a must-see Busby Berkeley masterwork). Is this a lovely Esther Williams signature film, well, Esther Williams called her 1999 autobiography “The Million Dollar Mermaid.”
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1953 Academy Awards®: Nominated: Best Cinematography in Color for George J. Folsey. 1953 Bambi Awards: Nominated: Best Actress for International for Esther Williams.
FILM FACT No.2: In 1947 it was reported that Esther Williams wanted M-G-M to buy the rights to Annette Kellerman's life story as a vehicle for Esther Williams. Virginia Mayo also expressed interest in playing Kellerman on screen. Annette Kellerman was unhappy that M-G-M had greatly changed her film ‘Neptune's Daughter’ when they remade it as an Esther Williams vehicle. Annette Kellerman felt it should have been a fantasy like ‘The Red Shoes.’ “I cried so about it that at the time I never would have agreed to let them do my life story.” Esther Williams broke her neck upon impact while performing the film's signature high dive. Esther Williams wrote in her memoir that she was already disoriented atop the platform after seven broken eardrums as the wages of her years working underwater. When she dove, she knew that the headdress of her costume was too heavy and that she was in trouble. She heard her neck pop when she hit the water. When Esther Williams reached the surface, she could kick her legs but her upper body was paralyzed and she had to be helped out of the pool. An x-ray revealed she had broken three vertebrae. Williams writes, "I'd come as close to snapping my spinal cord and becoming a paraplegic as you could without actually succeeding.” ‘MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID’ not only became Esther Williams' nickname around Hollywood, but it became the title of her autobiography (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1999), co-written with Digby Diehl. Esther Williams has often called this her favourite film.
Cast: Esther Williams, Victor Mature, Walter Pidgeon, David Brian, Donna Corcoran [Annette at 10 years old], Jesse White, Maria Tallchief, Howard Freeman, Charles Watts, Wilton Graff, Frank Ferguson, James Bell, James Flavin, Willis Bouchey, Faye Antaky (uncredited), Jessie Arnold (uncredited), Jimmy Aubrey (uncredited), Joan Barton (uncredited), Guy Bellis (uncredited), Wilson Benge (uncredited), Gail Bonney (uncredited), Eugene Borden (uncredited), George Boyce (uncredited), Marshall Bradford (uncredited), Paul Bradley (uncredited), Chet Brandenburg (uncredited), Carol Brewster (uncredited), Benny Burt (uncredited), Collin Campbell (uncredited), Danny Casabian (uncredited), Sue Casey (uncredited), Diane Cassidy (uncredited), Ann Cavendish (uncredited), Mack Chandler (uncredited), Bill Chatham (uncredited), Edward Clark (uncredited), Dorinda Clifton (uncredited), Lillian Culver (uncredited), Adrienne D'Ambricourt (uncredited), Herbert Deans (uncredited), Frankie Dee (uncredited), Leslie Denison (uncredited), Tom Dillon (uncredited), Vernon Downing (uncredited), David Dunbar (uncredited), Mary Earle (uncredited), Jerry Elliott (uncredited), Al Ferguson (uncredited), Pat Flaherty (uncredited), James Fowler (uncredited), Stanley Fraser (uncredited), Paul Frees (Bandleader) (uncredited), Ben Frommer (uncredited), James Gonzalez (uncredited), Alex Goudavich (uncredited), Arthur Gould-Porter (uncredited), A. Cameron Grant (uncredited), Dabbs Greer (uncredited), Michael Hadlow (uncredited), Bobbie Hale (uncredited), Creighton Hale (uncredited), Charlie Hall (uncredited), John Hamilton (uncredited), Sam Harris (uncredited), Whitey Haupt (uncredited), Chester Hayes (uncredited), Charles Heard (uncredited), Clarence Hennecke (uncredited), Harry Hines (uncredited), Robin Hughes (uncredited), T. Arthur Hughes (uncredited), Olaf Hytten (uncredited), Lilyan Irene (uncredited), Dick Johnstone (uncredited), James L. Kelly (uncredited), Dorothy Kennedy (uncredited), Colin Kenny (uncredited), Skelton Knaggs (uncredited), Mike Lally (uncredited), Janet Lavis (uncredited), Percy Lennon (uncredited), Queenie Leonard (uncredited), Mitchell Lewis (uncredited), James Logan (uncredited), Jack Lomas (uncredited), Louise Lorimer (uncredited), Betty Lynn (uncredited), Louis Manley (uncredited), Lock Martin (uncredited), John Maxwell (uncredited), Joan McKellen (uncredited), Walter Merrill (uncredited), Frank Mills (uncredited), Eleanor Moore (uncredited), Clive Morgan (uncredited), Edith Motridge (uncredited), William J. O'Brien (uncredited), Vesey O'Davoren (uncredited), Patrick O'Moore (uncredited), Betty Jean Onge (uncredited), Frankie Park (uncredited), Mary Parker (uncredited), Regis Parton (uncredited), Genevieve Pasques (uncredited), Frank Pharr (uncredited), Dorothy Poynton (uncredited), Maudie Prickett (uncredited), Jean Ransome (uncredited), Kathryn Reed (uncredited), Gordon Richards (uncredited), Alice Richey (uncredited), Robert Robinson (uncredited), Rod Rogers (uncredited), Peter Roman (uncredited), Cosmo Sardo (uncredited), Audrey Saunders (uncredited), Ray Saunders (uncredited), Russell Saunders (uncredited), Scott Seaton (uncredited), Charles Sherlock (uncredited), Elizabeth Slifer (uncredited), Dean Smith (uncredited), Cap Somers (uncredited), Rosemarie Stack (uncredited), Murray Steckler (uncredited), Bert Stevens (uncredited), Cy Stevens (uncredited), Gene Summers (uncredited), Larri Thomas (uncredited), Stuart Torres (uncredited), Arthur Tovey (uncredited), Nancy Valentine (uncredited), George Wallace (uncredited), Margaret Wells (uncredited), Patrick Whyte (uncredited), Kay Wiley (uncredited), Harry Wilson (uncredited), Eric Wilton (uncredited), Robert Winans (uncredited), Sally Yarnell (uncredited) and Fred Zendar (uncredited)
Director: Mervyn LeRoy
Producer: Arthur Hornblow Jr.
Screenplay: Everett Freeman
Composers: Alexander Courage (orchestrator), Adolph Deutsch (conductor and music score) and Adolph Deutsch (uncredited)
Choreography: Busby Berkeley (water-ballet sequences)
Costumes: Walter Plunket
Technicolor Color Consultant: Henri Jaffa
Cinematography: George J. Folsey, A.S.C.(Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: English: 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 109 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer / Warner Archive Collection
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: With the film ‘MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID’ [1952] is you’re ultimate gaudy, conventional biopic based on the career of Australian swimmer Annette Kellerman, appropriately was tagged as the “Million Dollar Mermaid” and who else but Esther Williams could star in a romantic drama with added magical musical numbers. In ‘MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID,’ Ester Williams plays Annette Kellerman, a real-life Australian swimming star who took up the sport as a child to strengthen her legs, which were severely weakened by a birth defect.
The film opens with 10 year old Annette Kellerman [Donna Corcoran] as a crippled child in Australia who heals her legs by taking up swimming. After becoming amateur champ Down Under, Annette Kellerman [Esther Williams] heads for London with her musician father Frederick Kellerman [Walter Pidgeon], attracts the attention of James Sullivan [Victor Mature], a sports promoter, who brings her to America.
The film treatment proves effective, and as Annette Kellerman grows to adulthood, shows that she has the talent to be a champion swimmer, though she prefers to follow her dream of becoming a ballet dancer.
When Annette Kellerman's father Frederick Kellerman accepts a position in London teaching music, Annette Kellerman opts to go with him, and along the way Annette Kellerman meets James Sullivan and Doc Cronnol [Jesse White], the joint-owners of a boxing kangaroo they intend to exhibit in London.
James Sullivan is already aware of Annette Kellerman's abilities as a competitive swimmer, and he offers to be her manager and help her earn a living from her aquatic skills. At first Annette Kellerman isn't interested, but when Frederick Kellerman's job falls through and Annette Kellerman can't find work as a dancer, Annette Kellerman reluctantly agrees to work with James Sullivan and arranges a publicity stunt in which Annette Kellerman swims 30 miles down the Thames River, which attracts the avid attention of the British press and wins her some work as a dancer.
Convinced that the big money is in America, James Sullivan persuades Annette Kellerman to travel with him to the USA, where Annette Kellerman creates a scandal in Boston by staging another long swim in a one-piece bathing suit, considered shockingly-revealing at the turn of the Century.
The stunt nearly lands Annette Kellerman in jail, but she escapes the long arm of the law and becomes the star of a water ballet revue. Annette Kellerman had fallen in love with James Sullivan, but after an argument, he resigns as her manager and Annette Kellerman takes up with Alfred Harper [David Brian], the male lead in her show. Annette Kellerman and Alfred Harper agree to marry while working on a film together, but James Sullivan returns on the last day of shooting, determined to win back the heart of the woman he loves.
Legendary choreographer Busby Berkeley staged the film's elaborate water-ballet sequences that are of flashy aquatics with glorious fountains and smoke numbers, imaginatively staged by Busby Berkeley and boldly splashed with Technicolor hues. The old New York Hippodrome is recreated for the production numbers, which includes a brief ballet by Maria Tallchief as Pavlova.
‘MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID’ has three things going for it that make the film well worth watching: the obvious chemistry between Esther Williams and Victor Mature and according to Esther Williams’ biography, the two had a very intense affair during filming, and on top of all that we have the tremendous Busby Berkley directed water sequences. The Three-strip Technicolor was tailor-made for the reds of circus tents, clear blue waters of diving tanks, and Esther Williams green shawl. The Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray is engaging and vibrant, and certainly a welcome upgrade.
MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID MUSIC TRACK LIST
LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART (uncredited) (Music by Leo Friedman) (Lyrics by Beth Slater Whitson) [Played during the opening credits] [Sung by the patrons in the ship's lounge] [Played often in the score]
Waltz in A Flat Major, Op. 39 (uncredited) (Music by Johannes Brahms) [Played on the harp]
Minuet in G (uncredited) (Music by Ludwig van Beethoven) [Played on the violin]
Gavotte (uncredited) (Music by François-Joseph Gossec) [Played while Young Annette watches the girls dance on the lawn]
THE FOUNTAIN IN THE PARK aka "While Strolling Through the Park One Day" (uncredited) (Music by Ed Haley) [Played during the Revere Beach scene]
WHEN YOU WORE A TULIP (and I Wore a Big Red Rose) (uncredited) (Music by Percy Wenrich) [Played as carnival music for the first day of the show]
SOBRE LAS OLAS (Over the Waves) (uncredited) (Music by Juventino Rosas) [Played as carnival music for the sixth week of the show]
THE WASHINGTON POST (uncredited) (Music by John Philip Sousa) [Played as carnival music for the ninth week of the show]
An der schönen, blauen Donau, Op. 314 (On the Beautiful Blue Danube) (uncredited) (Music by Johann Strauss) [Played when Jimmy says he'd be a sucker to make big plans]
THE STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER (uncredited) (Music by John Philip Sousa) [Played during the Hippodrome scene with Sousa conducting]
Danse des Mirlitons (Dance of the Reed Flutes) From "The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a" (uncredited) (Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky) [Played during the underwater ballet at the Hippodrome]
Kaiserwalzer, Op. 437 (Emperor Waltz) (uncredited) (Music by Johann Strauss) [Played at the fancy restaurant]
JINGLE BELLS (uncredited) (Music by James Pierpont) [Played at the Christmas party]
LONDON BRIDGE IS FALLING DOWN (uncredited) (Traditional) [Played at the Christmas party]
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Blu-ray Image Quality – Warner Archive Collection presents us the film ‘MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID’ in a stunning brand new 4K restoration and makes the film look like a million bucks! The dreamy 1080p image bursts to your viewing enjoyment with all the glorious rainbow hues of Technicolor and faithfully honours the Oscar-nominated George J. Folsey cinematography. Primary colours pop out of the screen, especially reds and yellows during the amazing water ballet sequences, while the delicate pastels in Esther Williams' floral hats and lavender chiffon wrap supply beautiful shadings that produce a totally vibrant, well-balanced picture. On top of all that, the excellent contrast and clarity abound and the image is so crisp it's all too obvious when Esther Williams' double performs the more dangerous stunts during the water ballets, and a natural grain structure preserves the look and feel of celluloid. Patterns remain rock solid throughout, flesh tones appear natural, and sharp close-ups highlight fine facial features while showcasing Esther Williams' beauty. Any age-related anomalies like nicks, marks, or scratches have been meticulously erased, leaving a totally 100% pristine image that heightens the impact of all the spectacular swimming scenes. So all in all, ‘MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID’ is impossible to imagine looking any better than it does with this terrific five-star Blu-ray presentation.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Warner Archive Collection brings us ‘MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID’ with just one 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio experience and supplies clear, well-modulated sound. A wide dynamic scale handles all the highs and lows of the orchestrations without a hint of distortion, and all the dialogue is easy to comprehend. Sonic accents like cracking glass and water effects are crisp and very distinct, and no age-related hiss, pops, or crackle intrude. By the way, the Three-strip Technicolor was tailor-made for the reds of circus tents, clear blue waters of diving tanks, and Esther Williams’ green shawl and again is very engaging and vibrant, and certainly a welcome upgrade to the Blu-ray ray format. So to my mind Warner Archive Collection has given us a five star audio performance.
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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Vintage Pete Smith Speciality Short: Reducing [1952] [1080i] [1.37:1] [8:23] This very amusing instalment of the popular “Pete Smith Specialty” series presented by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and chronicles one woman's trials and tribulations of Maxine Gates decides to try and lose some weight and tried to go on a diet. Pete Smith does his usual sarcastic mocking observations while the overweight Maxine Gates goes through the trials and tribulations of trying to lose weight. The agony of enduring the dieting and weight-losing programs and exercises is compounded by the usual food-and-sweets temptations. Other jokes deal with the woman skipping with a rope only to have the entire building move and small objects. The film to me gets a full belly laugh at the expense of Maxine Gates.
Special Feature: “Million Dollar Mermaid” Lux Radio Theater Broadcast [Audio only] [1953] [1080p] [1.78:1] [45:09] Esther Williams reprises her role in this Lux Radio Theater adaptation, which was broadcast on the 14th December, 1953. Walter Pidgeon also appears, but does not play her father, as he did in the film; instead Walter Pidgeon plays Alfred Harper, director of The Hippodrome in New York, and narrates the truncated story instead about Annette Kellerman, the famous swimmer from Australia who is a swimming sensation champ and entertainer. After overcoming polio, Annette Kellerman achieves fame and creates a scandal when her one-piece bathing suit is considered indecent. This “Million Dollar Mermaid” Lux Radio Theater Broadcast is of course a very truncated version of the amazing M-G-M film. Voice Cast: Walter Pidgeon, Esther Williams, Ken Christy, Robert Griffin, and Will Wright.
Special Feature: Vintage M-G-M Tom and Jerry Cartoon: Little Quacker [1950] [1080p] [1.37:1] [7:08] Tom steals an egg from Mama duck’s nest, cracks it over a frying pan and then discovers he can have roast duck. But the uncooperative hatchling runs away from the cat and into a mouse hole, where he finds an able protector in Jerry and as usual Tom gets his ultimate comeuppence. Voice Cast: Red Coffey [Little Quacker / Mama Duck / Henry Duck] (uncredited). Directors: Joseph Barbera and William Hanna. Producer: Fred Quimby. Screenplay: Joseph Barbera (uncredited) and William Hanna (uncredited). Composer: Scott Bradley. Animators: Ed Barge, Irven Spence, Kenneth Muse and Ray Patterson.
Theatrical Trailer [1953] [1080p] [1.37:1] [1:11] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID.’ They announce that the film is inspired by the TRUE STORY of the original “ONE PIECE BATHING SUIT” GIRL – The Immortal Annette Kellerman! A DAZZLING MUSICAL! Presenting THE BIGGEST MOST EXCITING WATER SHOW EVER STAGED – Spectacularly filmed in Color by Technicolor! Another BIG MUSICAL from M-G-M!
Finally, this Esther Williams film ‘MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID’ is another audacious M-G-M aquacade, with this 1952 Mervyn LeRoy extravaganza stars Esther Williams as the famed Australian swimmer Annette Kellerman and Victor Mature as the man who discovers first her and then Rin Tin Tin. But the real star is, as always, legendary choreographer Busby Berkeley staged the film's elaborate water-ballet sequences. ‘MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID’ provides plenty of evidence to support the former - from her impressive high dives to a string of spectacular water ballets that rank at the very top in the Williams oeuvre. Whatever one thinks of the film, it's hard not to be impressed with these water-laden spectacles, especially the "smoke" ballet. Simply stunning, these sequences make up for the serious deficiencies of the script and the indifferent dramatic performances of the leading actors. ‘MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID’ ballets played a large part in creating the Esther Williams legend, and they stand out spectacularly, but never takes itself too seriously, keeping the charm front and centre and a great way to enjoy a hot summer night, but the aquatic ballets in glorious Technicolor and Esther Williams' athleticism are a truly wonderful sight to behold. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
