Film costume, swimsuit, women's, satin / n ylon / sequins, worn by Esther Williams or Edith Motridge as Annette Kellerman, designed by Helen Rose, made by MGM Studios, USA, 1951-1952

One piece womens swimsuit made of coral satin finish [silk]. The bodice has princess line neck with zigzag pattern extending over the bust. The suit is panelled to be tight fitting and has a short skirt made of diamond shaped panels. The shoulder straps are made of flesh coloured nylon net and elastic to create a strapless look. The bodice and skirt are heavily decorated with sewn on silver and purple sequins while the body of the suit is randomly scattered with silver and purple sequins. Low cut V at back and centre back zipper fastening and a small metal hook and eye. The whole is lined with light tan coloured nylon. A sewn-in fabric label has the handwritten words '1567 EDITH MOTRIDGE'.

Helen Rose designed the swimsuit for MGM studio. Made by the costume department at MGM studio. The film 'Million Dollar Mermaid' was released in 1952.

The number 1567 on the sewn-in fabric label refers to 'Million Dollar Mermaid' being MGM's production number 1567.

This costume was thought to have been worn by Esther Williams in the 1952 film 'Million Dollar Mermaid', in which Williams played Annette Kellerman, the Australian swimmer. Williams starred in a large number of lavish MGM productions, some of which included musical numbers staged by Busby Berkeley. Her main talent was dancing under water. Kellerman was a silent movie star, making pictures such as 'Neptune's Daughter'.

However the name that appears on the costume's sewn-in label is not Esther Williams but Edith Motridge, who worked for MGM as Williams' swimming double. Motridge was a member of the US swimming team at the Berlin 1936 Olympic Games.

Purchased by the donor at a warehouse sale at MGM studio, where it was sold as 'costume worn by Esther Williams in Million Dollar Mermaid'. If, as its label suggests, it was worn by Edith Motridge, it is likely that Williams would have worn an identical costume rather than this one.

Gift of Brenton R. Williams

95/298/1

830 mm

380 mm