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Dollar Mermaid, 1952 Berkeley's first
of two films that he did with Esther Williams at MGM. This
film is not technically a musical, but rather a biography
of the early twentieth century swimming star, Annette Kellerman. However,
since Berkeley loved using water, this film gave him the
opportunity to incorporate three water ballets set on the
stage of the Hippodrome Theater. In the final number
not only does Esther Williams drop into the center of a
circle formed by a chorus of swimmers, but he introduces
fire and colored smoke as an additional element. The
colors are spectacular and this last ballet is truly worth
seeing.
The
Cast included:
- Esther
Williams .... Annette Kellerman
- Victor Mature .... James Sullivan
- Walter Pidgeon .... Frederick Kellerman
- David Brian .... Alfred Harper
- Donna Corcoran .... Annette Kellerman at age 10
- Jesse White .... Doc Cronnol
- Maria Tallchief .... Pavlova
- Howard Freeman .... Aldrich
- Charles Watts (I) .... Policeman on Beach
- Wilton Graff .... Garvey
- Frank Ferguson (I) .... Prosecutor
- James Bell (I) .... Judge
- James Flavin .... Train Conductor
- Willis Bouchey .... Movie Director
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