Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)

Esther Williams: Annette Kellerman

Photos 

Quotes 

• James Sullivan : Baby, somewhere along the line, we got our signals crossed. You've got it into your head that you're Joan of Arc. Well, get it out fast. You're a swimmer doing a tank act in Sullivan's water carnival, and not a bad show either.

  Annette Kellerman : And how long can it last? After all, all we're doing is capitalizing on a lot of cheap bathing suit publicity.

  James Sullivan : Well, what do you think this Aldrich thing is anyway? All he's trying to do is cash in on the same dodge, a ballyhoo that I arranged.

  Annette Kellerman : That you arranged?

  James Sullivan : Sure. Who do you think got that cop to arrest you?

  Annette Kellerman : Oh no, Jimmy, you didn't.

  James Sullivan : Didn't I?

  Annette Kellerman : Can you stand there... what about all that talk of a crusade and how...

  James Sullivan : Bunk. Who cares what a lot of females wear on the beach, as long as I can keep you in a one-piece bathing suit? Baby, you're a swimmer. You belong in the water. Wet, you're terrific. Dry, you're just a nice girl who ought to settle down and get married.

  Annette Kellerman : Thank you very much for the advice. One thing I know for sure, if and when I do get married, it will never be to a cheap, stubborn, flea circus proprietor.

  James Sullivan : This flea circus does alright for the fleas in it, except when they jump out of their cages.

• James Sullivan : Mmm... What smells so good?

  Annette Kellerman : I'm making an Australian stew.

  Doc Cronnol : Uh, what's that?

  Annette Kellerman : Same as an Irish stew - only the meat's down under.

• Annette Kellerman : Swimming's very popular in Australia.

  James Sullivan : I can understand why.

• James Sullivan : I've been standing over there watching you for the past 10 minutes.

  Annette Kellerman : I know. Women always know when men are watching them.

• James Sullivan : Annette, I wanna manage you.

  Annette Kellerman : Manage? Did you say manage?

• Annette Kellerman : What's wrong with the ballet?

  James Sullivan : Oh, I don't know. I guess I've always associated it with long hair and swans.

  Annette Kellerman : Oh, and I'm more the duck type?

• Annette Kellerman : You can tell your boss he's got the most comfortable bed I ever slept in.

• James Sullivan : I propose to stage a show. Our own show, a water carnival.

  Annette Kellerman : A water carnival?

  James Sullivan : Why not? It's something brand new. We get a tank and we charge admission. Our own private ocean. Oh, I can see it now. The people flocking to see the gorgeous mermaid from down under. I see something beautiful, something graceful, a ballet. That's it! A water ballet set to music.

• James Sullivan : Did you ever hear of the New York Hippodrome?

  Doc Cronnol : The Hippodrome?

  Annette Kellerman : New York!

• Annette Kellerman : Hello, Jimmy. Jimmy.

  [Jimmy grabs Annette] 

  Annette Kellerman : Jimmy, I'm soaking wet.

  James Sullivan : Good. Maybe it'll put the fire out.

  [long kiss] 

• Annette Kellerman : How is it possible to - to swim a race tied up in a corset and 10 yards of wet drapery?

• Annette Kellerman : Indecent exposure? Held for trial. Oh, those hypocrites! Sanctimonious bluenose hypocrites.

• Annette Kellerman : What's his name?

  James Sullivan : Rin Tin Tin.

  Annette Kellerman : What a funny name. Chinese?

  James Sullivan : French.