You Must Remember This Esther Williams and the Birth of Waterproof Makeup (Make Me Over, Episode 5) (Season 13, Episode 5)
Podcast Episode | 46 min | History

Primary photo for Esther Williams and the Birth of Waterproof Makeup (Make Me Over, Episode 5)

You Must Remember This

Esther Williams and the Birth of Waterproof Makeup (Make Me Over, Episode 5) (Season 13, Episode 5)

Podcast Episode | 46 min | History

Esther Williams single-handedly helped popularize the pastime of swimming - first as the star swimmer of the San Francisco production of Billy Rose's Aquacade, and then as the star of Hollywood films like Bathing Beauties and Million ...See moreEsther Williams single-handedly helped popularize the pastime of swimming - first as the star swimmer of the San Francisco production of Billy Rose's Aquacade, and then as the star of Hollywood films like Bathing Beauties and Million Dollar Mermaid. Williams's stardom - and the necessity to maintain her image as a grinning glamour girl, even while submerged underwater - led to the creation of several waterproof products and swimwear innovations, from waterproof foundation and eyeliner to bathing cap couture. Despite two decades of sustained celebrity and brand power, Williams eventually struggled to maintain the pristine bathing beauty facade. She lost her MGM contract in the 1960s and had to pay millions to the studio in damages. On her way down, she slapped her name on swimming pools and exercise videos, stumbled through four unhappy marriages and started to experiment with LSD for her depression. Drawing on previously untapped resources, Rachel Syme will tell the story of Williams' rise and fall, and the innovations in aqua-beauty she inspired, while also analyzing why we want to be waterproof, why we want to be so invulnerable to the elements and why putting swimming on-screen led to pressures for women to look put-together, even when sopping wet. Written by You Must Remember This See less

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3 cast members

Name	Known for
Karina Longworth Self - Host (voice) Self - Host (voice) See fewer	You Must Remember This (2014)
Rachel Syme Self - Host (voice) Self - Host (voice) See fewer	You Must Remember This (2014)
Esther Williams Self - Actress (archive sound) Self - Actress (archive sound) See fewer	Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1949)