ESTHER WILLIAMS ON AQUATIC SET | BATHING BEAUTY (1943) Oversized photo by Eric Carpenter

[Los Angeles: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1943]. Vintage original 10 x 13″ (25 x 32 cm.) black-and-white double weight glossy silver gelatin photo. Minor edge and border creases, near fine.

Esther Williams poses in an elaborate set-up by photographer Eric Carpenter. This is one of her first specialty sittings and is for her very first film vehicle. At this early point the film was to be called Co-Ed, becoming Mr. Co-Ed with star Red Skelton, but so popular did Esther become during production that the film was finally released as Bathing Beauty. Typed blurb crediting photographer Carpenter, as well as ink stamped photo number, on verso.