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Million Dollar Mermaid

Play trailer Poster for Million Dollar Mermaid Released Dec 4, 1952 1h 55m Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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86% Tomatometer 7 Reviews 68% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
A musical romantic drama, this biopic tells the story of influential Australian swimmer Annette Kellerman (Esther Williams), who broke gender barriers while becoming a pioneer of synchronized swimming. Following her father (Walter Pidgeon) from Australia to London, Kellerman combines her passion for dance with her talents as a swimmer, coming of age while learning about love and show business, and working against the inherent repression of female expression in the early 20th century.

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Million Dollar Mermaid

Critics Reviews

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Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Esther Williams, cinema's singular swimming sensation, landed one of her best roles in this biopic about aquatic Australian star Annette Kellerman. Rated: 3/4 Aug 5, 2020 Full Review Mattie Lucas From the Front Row Truly one of the most beautiful films of the 1950s, and it's a pleasure to watch Berkeley indulge his more expressionistic tendencies with a full palate of breathtaking color. Rated: 3/4 Aug 1, 2020 Full Review Bill Newcott Movies For The Rest Of Us If you know [Esther] Williams only from clips in That's Entertainment, see this splashy epic to get an idea of what all the excitement was about. Rated: 4/5 Jul 29, 2020 Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine The renowned Australian swimmer, Annette Kellerman, gets Hollywood's respectful biographical salute in a draggy but spectacular water-musical, starring Esther Williams. Oct 7, 2019 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: B Mar 14, 2013 Full Review Susan Granger www.susangranger.com Rated: 3/5 May 30, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Franky L Esther Williams brings swimming to the forefront in the wonderful account of the ture story of Anette Kellerman, the Australian swimmer who is credited with creating Synchronized swimming. Lovely sets, cinematography, and sweet story of love and devotion. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/23/24 Full Review Audience Member While this movie does contain some great swimming sequences, I wouldn't say that they are the best of all of the movies Esther Williams starred in. But, they are good enough to support the excellent storyline. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member The best inspiring movie ever made! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Oh my. Just go on youtube and watch find the clip of the water ballet. I have been trying to watch all the Esther Williams films...but I may have reached the wall. It's getting too painful. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member The idea of putting swimming starlet Esther Williams in a biography of champion Australian swimmer Annette Kellerman must have seemed like a can't-miss concept for a splashy matinée item which would pay-off no matter what the outcome. Unfortunately, the concept itself is underused, as Williams performs in a handful of extravagant water routines but does very little dramatic acting. Producer Arthur Hornblow Jr. and the requisite M-G-M brass do not appear to have any inspiration that goes beyond the standard glitz and glamor (the script being somewhat expendable). That's too bad, for Kellerman's life story had aspects of both high drama and nostalgic value (being the first woman to wear a one-piece swimsuit on America's shores!). Mervyn LeRoy's direction is quite capable, and Williams is amiable, however Busby Berkeley's lavish, gaudy production numbers are what most people end up remembering. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member There is nothing spectacular about the story and the biopic in general, but the film provides plenty of great water numbers by Esther Williams. It's an old-fashioned MGM extravaganza and a joy to watch Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Million Dollar Mermaid

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Movie Info

Synopsis A musical romantic drama, this biopic tells the story of influential Australian swimmer Annette Kellerman (Esther Williams), who broke gender barriers while becoming a pioneer of synchronized swimming. Following her father (Walter Pidgeon) from Australia to London, Kellerman combines her passion for dance with her talents as a swimmer, coming of age while learning about love and show business, and working against the inherent repression of female expression in the early 20th century.
Director
Mervyn LeRoy
Producer
Arthur Hornblow Jr.
Screenwriter
Everett Freeman
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre
Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 4, 1952, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 11, 2017
Runtime
1h 55m
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