Follows the life (or an unreasonable facsimile) of Australian swimming star Annette Kellerman (Ester Williams) from her early days as a competitive swimmer to her fabulous aquatic shows in the fabled Hippodrome in New York City. The film is a classic example of what Hollywood does best - spectacle, so enjoy; and worst - biography, so don't expect to learn much. Very little in the story is based in fact, especially the parts about Kellerman's future husband Jimmy Sullivan (who did not 'discover' K9 A-lister Rin Tin Tin), and even by Hollywood standards, the plot-driving coincidences are staggering. That said, telling a story, however prefabricated, about a swimmer provides a reason for Williams to get wet and for Busby Berkley to work his leggy over-the-top magic in a pool. There are some great song and aqua-dance numbers, and as always Ester Williams looks fabulous both wet and dry. Future lonely Maytag-man Jesse White is Sullivan's (Victor Mature) sidekick and sensitive-types may be appalled by his 'red-face' portrayal as an Indian (a scene with forked-tongue firmly in cheek). Other than a bit of a slow start, 'Million Dollar Mermaid' has all the elements that anyone would expect in an Ester Williams film and, as such, is a pretty good happy-place time-passer.