A local film fan has started a movement to get the Medal of Freedom for Esther Williams. And he's got the backing of Sen. Orrin Hatch.
Williams, the famous musical swimming star of MGM's golden years, has been nominated by Brigham Young University communications professor Brad E. Hainsworth, in part for her work touring military camps and hospitals during and after World War II. The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor bestowed by the president of the United States.Hainsworth is also seeking civilian support. Anyone who would like to see Williams receive the award is encouraged to write a letter to President Bush, White House, Washington, DC 20500, with a copy to Sen. Orrin Hatch, U.S. Senate, 135 Russell, Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510.
Why Esther Williams? Hainsworth says, "She's a woman who made a difference. She was a highly successful film star, a wife and mother and an American who established herself, if not as a legend, as one to whom any young woman can look for an example of American womanhood."
In his nominating letter, Hainsworth wrote that Williams "gave unselfishly of herself" as she toured military camps during and after World War II. "She especially cared for those who had been wounded and suffered as a result of their selfless service to their country."
He also cites her "entrepreneurial spirit" and says Williams' highly successful film career in the '40s and '50s embodied "those values we seem to lose track of occasionally."
Esther Williams was a champion swimmer at age 15, and after touring with Billy Rose's Aquacade, made her film debut at 19 in "Andy Hardy's Double Life," part of the long-running MGM film series that starred Mickey Rooney and every debutante on the lot.
But it was "Bathing Beauty" two years later (in 1944) that established Williams as "Hollywood's Mermaid," a unique star in bright Technicolor musicals, highlighted by elaborate underwater and poolside choreography.
She was a top box-office draw for more than a decade, but when Williams tried to switch to dramatic roles in the late '50s and early '60s, her career floundered. So to speak.
Hainsworth estimates Williams' 25 MGM musicals grossed some $80 million for the studio, and Williams was often named as one of the top 10 box-office stars during those years.
By the way, Williams is unaware of Hainsworth's efforts on her behalf. He's hoping she'll be selected for the award and that it will be a complete surprise to her.
Do you suppose she subscribes to the Deseret News. . . ?
- ACTUALLY, THE TIME is right for a dramatic upswing in Esther Williams' popularity. MGM/UA Home Video has just announced a July 29 date for eight never-before-released Esther Williams films to appear on videotape.
The first-time titles are:
- Duchess of Idaho, with Williams finding romance in Sun Valley. Van Johnson, Eleanor Powell and Lena Horne co-star. (1950)
- Easy to Love, highlighted by Busby Berkeley choreography, a romance set in Florida's Cypress Gardens. Van Johnson, Tony Martin, Carroll Baker in her film debut. (1953)
- Jupiter's Darling, a musical about the fall of Rome, believe it or not, with Williams tempting Hannibal (Howard Keel) as he marches on the city. George Sanders, Marge and Gower Champion. (1955)
- On an Island With You has Williams as a movie star hiding out in the South Seas. Peter Lawford, Ricardo Montalban, Jimmy Durante, Cyd Charisse, Xavier Cugat. (1948)
- Pagan Love Song, with Williams in Tahiti, being pursued by Howard Keel. Rita Moreno. (1950)
- Skirts Ahoy!, featuring romance between three WAVES (Williams, Joan Evans, Vivian Blaine) and their boyfriends (Barry Sullivan, Keefe Brasselle, Bobby Van). Debbie Reynolds. (1952)
- Texas Carnival, with Williams and Red Skelton as a carnival team mistaken for Texas millionaires by rustic Howard Keel. Ann Miller, Keenan Wynn. (1951)
- Thrill of a Romance, one of Williams' earliest vehicles, casts her in a love story set against Yosemite National Park. Van Johnson, Tommy Dorsey. (1945)
The Williams films already on tape are "Million Dollar Mermaid," "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," "Bathing Beauty," "Neptune's Daughter," "Ziegfeld Follies" and "Dangerous When Wet."
- KUDOS TO MGM/UA HOME video for finally getting around to these Esther Williams titles. Of all the major studios that occasionally dip into their backlog of titles for new tape releases, MGM/UA still issues more than any other. But let's take advantage of the moment to offer a nudge about another in their "golden age" stable of stars.
Deanna Durbin.
There's a huge audience for Durbin's movies, if the number of phone calls I get about her is any indication. On the weekly radio call-in program I do with Doug Wright (Fridays at 10 a.m. on AM 1160-KSL - that's a plug, in case you missed it), Durbin's name frequently comes up.
The most requested not-on-video movie we are asked about is John Wayne's "McLintock!" A very close second is "The Slipper and the Rose." Third . . . don't ask me why . . . is the 1973 musical remake of "Lost Horizon."
But the most sought-after star, whose video availability was nil until last fall, is . . . you guessed it: Deanna Durbin.
Only one of her films - "It's a Date" - has been released on tape. And it just came out in September 1991.
So, if MGM/UA really wants to make a killing, it should consider the Durbin collection. There would appear to be a ready-made audience.