Stephanie C. (crawford) reviewed The Million Dollar Mermaid: An Autobiography on + 59 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
AMAZING book! If you aren't familiar with this beautiful actress who pioneered water ballet, her films are now available on DVD. This details Esther's childhood until when she wrote the book, including everything personal and career-wise. This is also a very heartbreaking book, she was treated terribly by various men and a victim of sexual abuse. But through it all she never gives up (and went through great lengths to keep her children happy and well-adjusted) Great info on the "Golden Age" of movies, highly recommended for fans of the actress and that era of movies.
Interesting! Especially if you like this era. =)
Helpful Score: 1
This was an very enjoyable book about a remarkable woman. There is some juicy gossip about some very famous people. Did you know Johnny Weismuller (Tarzan)was and was a "well endowed" exhibitionist?
Laurie M. (reading-galore) -
Helpful Score: 1
This entertaining book came out over 20 years ago and I had forgotten that I had once started reading this book and stopped when I read that she did LSD. However, I decided to forge forward this time and read her whole story. She really dished on the harsh realities of filmmaking and on the personal lives of the movie stars she knew. Her own personal life was really a mess with her marrying many times to men who used her money and fame and took advantage of her. I felt badly for her children who also suffered from her poor personal choices. However, it was fascinating to hear how her swimming movies were made and which stars could swim well (or not!) I am so glad that this book was written to capture her memories and personality and highly recommend this wonderful book.
If you enjoyed watching Ester Williams movies as a child, you will find this book interesting. This book tells in detail how difficult it was then to stage certain swimming scenes and the risks she took to film them. It also tells how she went from, an almost Olympian swimmer, to a Hollywood scarlet and business woman, and her difficult marriage to a man who squandered her money as fast as she could earn it.
John O. (buzzby) -
They don't make them like that any more. Bras like that, I mean.
