The Million Dollar Mermaid: An Autobiography

Esther Williams, the aptly titled "Million Dollar Mermaid" of the movies of Hollywood's Golden Era, tells the story of her life in the vivid text of her outstanding autobiography. Williams writes the story of a real person, a sparkling icon/ survivor story, and paints a picture of Hollywood bursting with gossip juicy enough to make Hedda and Louella green. Yet, Williams tells her story without sounding malicious, wicked, or saintly. She writes with great candor and honesty about the hardships of her life: a difficult childhood, near-death incidents doing stunts for movie extravanganzas, nightmarish marriages, and her now-happy life with her husband Edward, and reunited with happy relationships with her children.Williams began swimming as a teen, and eventually swam in the famous Aquacade with Johnny Weissmuller, who, in between shows, would tear his trunks off and chase her in the pool. She was picked up by MGM Studios, and the fun never stops as Williams recounts and remembers some of the most famous names of entertainment with hilarious and shocking stories. She remembers Lucille Ball (who unjustly accused her of trying to steal Desi Arnaz from her), Ricardo Montalban (a cheerful Latin whom she became fast friends with), Gene Kelly (who fumed trying to create dances for a leading lady a head taller than he was), Frank Sinatra (who became a life-long friend who always let her sit with her elbow onstage during his concerts) and Clark Gable (the greatest kisser she'd ever kissed). And the stories don't stop there: She remembers Joan Crawford, hysterically begging an imaginary audience not to forget her in an empty auditorium, reducing paper tiger Louis B. Mayer to kicking and screaming on the floor of his office, and inquisitively listening to Lana Turner's bedroom exploits through a glass pressed against the wall. She also remembers amusing exploits, like being the first person to break the color barrier at the Sahara (when she passed off her black maid and her maid's boyfriend as Indian royalty!).Not that Williams was the goody-two-shoes virginal girl she so often portrayed onscreen: She had several affairs with leading men. She gives black belts in the bedroom arts to a few leading men: the powerful, hulkish Victor Mature ("the one man I never had to teach anything to, not even how to swim!"), and the masculine Jeff Chandler. (In the most hilarious and juciest story in the book, she remembers how her affair with Chandler ended when she found him in a flowered chiffon dress, wig, high heels, and makeup!)There are engrossing stories about the makings of Williams's underwater spectacles, and how the inricate photography and choreography of these films were achieved with movie magic. Williams remembers "that crazy old Busby Berkeley" and how he nearly killed her with spectacular stunts involving her diving from fifty-foot platforms, water-skiing when she was pregnant, etc.But Williams also endured three stormy marriages: Her first, to the nasty Le

This book has been an inspiration. I expected a book with Hollywood gossip but got so much more! Esther's courage in very difficult situations and her down to earth attitude really impressed me. I related especially to her feelings about marriage and children. You make your own choices in life - Esther made hers and stuck by them as long as possible. This a story about a real person who refused to get carried away by Hollywood hype.

I found this to be just the best mixture of fun, fantasy and glamour, written by a star not known by the general public for her wit, but whose rib-tickling reminiscences hit just the right spot when you're looking for a fun read. Miss Williams's reference to Joe Pasternak and his penchant for eating spaghetti with his hands is a truly hilarious example of the strange people she often encountered in classic-era Hollywood. Good for you, Esther!

Enjoyed the book very much. Read it 2 times. Second time more slowly and enjoyed it more. Have met both Esther and Edward Bell four times and so I found the book very interesting. She has mentioned some of those experiences on interviews on the TV and the book fills in all the blank spaces in between. I guess her problems began because she was so truly beautiful from the smile all the way to her toes. Yes, the book was worth the months of waiting.

I remember the MGM movies of the 50's and going to many Esther Williams films. I thought they were great fun and her autobiography is one of the best "tell all" bios I have read in a very long time.There are a few sketchy things about her life...particularly why she stayed with Fernando Lamas. Outside of that, she dishes up a veritable poutpourri of insight in the running of MGM. She tells of Mayer's tantrums, Joan Crawford's confrontation, Mickey Rooney, Ava Gardner, Lana Turner, Arlene Dahl.The book is written with wit and a wonderful sense of humor. It makes you want to meet her. Highly recommended!!!