It Came From the (Photo) Morgue: Esther Williams

In honor of the passing of Esther Williams (1921-2013), we went to the San Francisco News-Call Bulletin Photo Morgue.

Esther Williams was discovered by Hollywood while performing in Billy Rose’s Aquacade at the Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island in 1940.

Johnny Weissmuller & Esther Williams, Aquacade, GGIE, Sept. 27, 1940
Newscopy on the backside of photograph: "Two of San Francisco's most identifiable citizens gracefully cleave the waters of the Aquacade tank during their special number. In case you number among the few persons in the bay region who have not seen the Fair production, swimmers are identified as Johnny Weissmuller and Esther Williams."

Esther Williams modeling I.Magnin dress, Aug. 6, 1940






Newscopy on the backside of photograph: "Dramatic highlight of the fashion show sponsored by San Francisco's manufacturers and wholesalers at Billy Rose's Aquacade on Treasure Island las night was this $250,000 pearl dress, designed and created for the Imperial Pearl Syndicate by I. Magnin. Worn by Esther Williams, it was a streamlined shimmer of loveliness; lustrous breath-takingly beautiful as it caught the light."









Esther Williams, Sept. 29, 1944

Copy on the backside of photograph: "Perfection in a swim suit...Streamlined as a torpedo and just as effective in the water, swim champ Esther Williams stars in the brilliant marine ballet which is a spectacular addition to Red Skelton's Technicolor comedy "Bathing Beauty." For one routine in the water pageant she wears this blush-pink satin lastex suit designed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's act stylist Irene and glittering with 2,500 individual handsewn baguette rhinestones. "Bathing Beauty" was directed by George Sidney and produced by Jack Cummings. Portrait by Eric Carpenter."

Ben Gage & Esther Williams, SF Airport, May 10, 1952






Copy on the backside of photograph: "Esther Williams, movie star noted for her bathing suit contours, arrived here [San Francisco] from Hollywood on Western Air Lines, to take part in a fashion show at Menlo Circus Club tonight for the benefit of the Peninsula Volunteers. She was accompanied by her husband, Ben Gage, radio announcer, and Fred Cole, president of "Cole of California" and designer of swim suits."







Esther Williams in "Million Dollar Mermaid" costume, Dec. 20, 1952


Esther Williams, May 23, 1957

Ready to swim through the life of  Esther Williams? Check out DVDs, download, stream and read books.

Need a quick biography of Esther Williams? Whip out your San Francisco Public Library card and use the Biography in Context database.

Here's some eye candy - clips and trailers that The New York Times put together - A Look Back at the Films of Esther Williams

Want to see more photographs of Esther Williams? This selection of photographs were pulled from 5 folders full of photographs of Ms. Williams. Visit us in the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection for a white gloves visit!

We're also celebrating the Year of the Bay with the exhibition Aquatic City. Visit the Main Library for this great exhibition highlighting collections from the San Francisco History Center. 

Images and captions from the San Francisco News-Call Bulletin Photo Morgue are courtesy of the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection, San Francisco Public Library.
[Box P764, Folders: Williams, Esther]
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The San Francisco Public Library owns the photo morgue of the San Francisco News-Call Bulletin, a daily newspaper that covered the time period from the 1920s to 1965. Much of the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection comes from the San Francisco News-Call Bulletin Photo Morgue. However, the morgue also includes statewide, national, and international subjects and people that have not been digitized or cataloged. When researchers order scans from the San Francisco News-Call Bulletin Photo Morgue,selections are cataloged and added to the online database.

Looking for a historical photograph of San Francisco? Try our online database first. Not there? Come visit us at the Photo Desk of the San Francisco History Center, located on the sixth floor at the Main Library. The Photo Desk hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. You may also request photographs from the San Francisco News-Call Bulletin Photo Morgue.

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