Million Dollar Mermaid

7/21/2025

Loosely based on the true story of Australian Annette Kellerman, this starts with her as a young girl under the care of her doting dad (Walter Pidgeon). He is on permanent watch around her as he is terrified that her disabling polio might endanger this determined young girl - especially when she takes to swimming in the lake. It appears, though, that this exercise is doing her the power of good and soon she (now Esther Williams) is winning local trophies. Meantime, her music teaching father is facing some financial hardships so they decide to relocate to London where he has an offer of a job. On board the ship they encounter the enigmatic “Jimmy” (Victor Mature), his pal “Doc” (Jesse White) and their boxing kangaroo. That proved quite lucky as there is no job when they arrive and so it fal