Oh, Esther Williams! Who wasn’t a bit blue hearing about her passing, so we thought we would remind everyone of her delightful movies of our favorite vintage movie mermaid.

I think almost everyone is familiar with her name, but probably not her movies. Well, folks you are in for a technicolor underwater treat!

I think Esther Williams has one of the most interesting “discovered” stories around! The infamous cancellation of the 1940 Olympics during WW2 led to this bathing beauty’s career.  Since she didn’t have a goal of gold on her mind, she took a job at a department store, which led her to being plucked from anonymity by famous movie producer Billy Rose (who was married to Fanny Brice of Funny Girl fame) from her department store clerk position to star in Acquacade, an all swimming, all singing, all dancing spectacular at the 1939 World Fair. I KNOW!  There is so much awesomeness in that sentence… And of course Esther Williams made quite the splash! (Pun intended!)

And so started her glorious career as Hollywood’s favorite swimming sweetheart! MGM had a swimming pool built on its lot solely for her! And boy did she make good use of it, starring in some of the most marvelous eye shatteringly stunning movies ever.

Esther Williams is dazzlingly beautiful and I find her acting charming and she’s clearly super smart and very fun in real life.  She is a wonderful good sport/foil to some of MGM’s funniest leading men. I recommend checking out Neptune’s Daughter
in which Esther stars across Red Skeleton and a dreamy Ricardo Montalban! And Million Dollar Mermaid has the most insanely gorgeous swim numbers choreographed by wildly creative Busby Berkeley.

Another great one is Dangerous When Wet, which sounds so naughty, but features Esther swimming with Tom & Jerry!

And hoo boy, the costumes.  Or should I say bathing suits. Fabulous! Speaking of bathing suits, are you familiar with Esther Williams line of bathing suits? They are magnificent to say the least and must be made of magic because they turn you into an immediate glamour girl. ModCloth carries them as well. Seriously, they look good on every woman I know regardless of the different body type. And may we all look as great at 91 as Esther does today. Esther makes chlorine seem like an secret anti-aging serum!

Let’s take a peek at her magical swimming moves!

If this doesn’t get your kiddo begging for swimming classes, I don’t know what will. In fact, I had the Peach watch it before her swim class and it made all the difference.

Thank you so much, Esther for years of enjoyment that sent so many of us into the pool!

Catch some of my other Vintage Video reviews here!

Oh boy, what a gorgeous weekend! I spent a good chunk of it hugging the Peach and taking a class, which I’ll share with you all later, but of course there was time to find some serious vintage surfing to find some sweet gems for all of you! Enjoy!

Make your little one the hit of the kiddie pool in these darling little swim trunks! From Etsy seller, Snap It Up Vintage.

What a sweet little girl in a sweet little dress. From Etsy seller, Willow’s Room.

Oh deer!  Is this not the cutest little cardi ever?  Perfect for cooler summer nights. From Etsy seller, Fun Finds Vintage

I don’t know what I adore more–the shoes or the box! From Etsy seller, Boopsie 53.

I love this. Just love it! From Etsy seller, The Little Monsters.

Check out this genius of a shirt! Hee hee!!!  From Etsy seller, Oliver’s Forest!

The name alone makes me want this game, but it also sounds like fun too! From Etsy seller, Noodle & Lou.

Otherwise known as the deal of the century!  Vintage Judy Blume books are very collectable and this price is great!  Only $8.00 from Etsy seller, Betsy Fern Vintage.

This little combo? Brilliant! From Etsy seller, 1 Sweet Dream Vintage.

I do love those wonderful vintage Fisher Price houses, but they never seem to come with furniture. That is when such lots of wonderful furniture come in most handy! From Etsy seller, Lynnea Maria Designs.

Happy Monday!