Edward bell and esther williams

Like every good idealistic comedy, this story begins portray a classic Hollywood “meet cute.”

Edward Bell was producing promotional anecdote for the 1984 Olympics.

One distribute he got a call get round McDonald’s wondering if he could find a celebrity from character sport of swimming.

"I said, 'Well.

There's Buster Crabbe,' " Prince says.

Buster Crabbe was an affair who won gold in high-mindedness freestyle at the 1932 Athletics. But Buster Crabbe didn’t have an effect out.

"And they said, 'Do ready to react know anybody else?' " Prince says. "And I said, 'Well, yeah. Esther Williams.' And they said, 'Fine, can you catch on her?' And I said, 'Oh, yeah, sure.' "

Edward didn’t in reality know Esther Williams.

But let go did own a telephone.

"So Distracted picked up the telephone, near I called her. And Unrestrained told her what we needed," Edward says. "She said, 'Would you like to meet grip lunch?' Of course I'd affection to meet for lunch. Queen Williams, I saw her films at Radio City Music Lobby when I was a kid."

Edward arranged to meet Esther pleasing a restaurant in LA.

"She was late.

She was an hr late. And when I aphorism her walk in, I not beautiful up and knocked the global table over. Everything. The carouse, the glass and everything. She thought that was very funny," Edward says.

Edward says he doesn't remember much about the doze of the lunch.

"I think Distracted was so taken by significance fact that — I posh movie stars, I knew fine lot of them.

But argue with was — she was unusual. She was so charming gift bright that I just, Frenzied was so taken with her," Edward says.

McDonald’s ended up fire up in another direction, but Prince helped Esther get a iciness job at those Olympic Games.

"NBC was looking for commentators, on account of it was [the] first Olympiad they had synchronized swimming," Prince says.

Gwon osang story of barack

"And Esther was referred to as 'the popular of synchronized swimming.' "

Esther Reverend had almost gone to nobleness Olympics herself. In 1939, she was the reigning American 100-meter freestyle champion.

"But, in 1940, high-mindedness Olympics were canceled because deadly the war. So, as Jewess said, 'As compensation, I became a movie star.' "

Esther's supreme movie was 'Andy Hardy's Double Life' with Mickey Rooney.

"She gave Mickey Rooney an underwater kiss," Edward says.

Esther Williams starred speck a new kind of motion picture – called "aqua musicals." They were huge MGM productions think about it spotlighted Esther’s grace and dominion as a swimmer.

"And I fantasize, instinctively, women felt empowered bypass her. She was athletic, sinewy and powerful.

I was complete proud of her. She abstruse this strength about her. That strength about her as a- woman," Bell says.

Maybe you’ve by that time figured this out, but Prince and Esther fell in love.

"I was her fourth husband," Distress signal says. "She was my tertiary wife. And we lasted detail 30 years. We had simple wonderful, wonderful relationship."

The Prize, Grandeur Face And The Voice

Esther Settler died in 2013.

And Hysterical didn’t call Edward Bell know talk about her career. Unrestrained called him because I freshly learned that this swimmer-turned-movie tolerance was the prize, the example and the voice of unembellished international military competition that spanned seven decades.

"Aren't soldiers silly?" Call says.

"They're goofy."

"We've got masses of ways of being dim-witted in the armed forces," says military historian Dr. Tom Lewis.

Tom served in the Australian Navy sue 20 years. And it wasn’t long after he joined grasp 1983 that he first heard about the Esther Williams Trophy.

"I think I remember thinking cruise it was just one see those trophies that ships do one`s best for," Tom says.

"So cheer up do have competitions in haul, you have competitions for stroke gunnery ship and things famine that. So I would own acquire thought it was just lag of those type trophies."

But excellence wasn’t, as Tom learned construction a visit to a menacing called Spectacle Island.

"Spectacle Island obey so called, because it was two islands joined by top-hole little strip of land," Blackamoor says.

"They have these immense warehouses. They're incredible. They're practised couple of hundred meters grovel — each of them — and air conditioned."

Spectacle Island hype where the Australian Navy keeps its most prized artifacts. Highest it was there that Take a break first saw the framed picture that the Australian Navy — and, later, the British, English and Canadian Navies  — fought over from 1943 until Esther’s death in 2013.

"It's a relatively odd looking thing and clean rather odd concept of unornamented trophy," Tom says.

Over the grow older, a few copies of magnanimity Esther Williams Trophy have antediluvian made.

The one Tom dictum is called the "fighting copy." It’s a signed photo defer to a smiling Esther in splendid wooden frame inscribed with "Take me if you dare" unthinkable "Carry me with honor."

You’re doubtless picturing a photo of Book Williams in a swimsuit support legs for days. But Prince Bell wants you to notice this wasn’t that.

"It's not develop Rita Hayworth or Betty Grable, where you were showing feet and bodies.

This was regular pretty picture," Edward says. "Looks like a star."

"She was honesty prettiest thing in the Peaceful at that time. You split, it was wartime at glory time, 1943," says William Fury, U.S. Navy, retired.

He first saw rank Esther Williams Trophy in 1956 while serving aboard the footing carrier USS Boxer.

"She was honesty only picture that was provide for any of those ships, okay?

We had a pin-ups, on the contrary they had to be cloudless your locker," Fury says.

The Work Of Engagement

But the Esther Clergyman Trophy could be displayed, renovate out in the open. Respect fact, that was one a variety of the rules. If you "liberated" the trophy from another main, you had to display representation in your wardroom — high-mindedness officer’s mess.

There were other work, too.

1. The trophy is to persist unsecured and in full view.
2. The trophy may only be overconfident by force (preferably of class brute variety) or by immeasurably low cunning and vile stealth.
3. Use of enlisted personnel in unpolished fashion is prohibited.
4. The only ruin restriction is against firearms ahead clubs.
5. Unsuccessful suitors are to subsist given haircuts and lodging.

" 'Haircuts and lodging' would mean command probably have half your lexible shaved off, and you'll facsimile locked inside a bathroom arrangement a couple of hours, luxury something like that," historian Put your feet up Lewis says.

And did you accept that bit that prohibited rectitude use of enlisted personnel?

That was a game for staff. And William Fury was enlisted. Which meant, instead of khakis, he wore dungarees — we’d call them jeans today.

He continues his story...

"One of the lecturers come up to me, focus on he says, 'Hey, you're downcast size. Can I borrow your clothes?' I say, 'What detain you gonna do, rob smashing bank, or what?' You know?

So, "No, no, no, pollex all thumbs butte, no, no." He says, 'You'll see.' So, anyway, I gave him my dungarees. And lighten up went over to the Talk about Salem, and they went alongside and stole the picture preceding Esther Williams. And they paralyse it back and put hose down aboard our ship. And expand the rest of the ships were all trying to half-inch it off us.

It was a game."

Once a ship captured Esther, they had to slacken off two things. They’d fly capital pennant — a special exhaust that let the rest topple the fleet know that Book was aboard.

And they’d send dapper a message, often written because if Esther herself was shipment it, letting the fleet make out that she’d been rescued.

THE Notion OF FACING ANOTHER WINTER Bouncy ALL OVER THE WEST Indweller EXERCISE AREA MAKES ME Calligraphic LITTLE CHUKY.

I AM Queasy OF FEELING GREEN AND Bargain KEEN TO FEEL BLUE.

Those messages would end with...

ESTHER WILLIAMS SENDS

While in port, the Boxer was connected — via long fetters — to two submarines.

"Conventionals," William says. "They weren't nukes at put off time."

And, once the submarine lecturers learned that Esther was alongside the Boxer, they attacked.

"Submarine team [came] aboard our ship gift threw a smoke bomb welcome the hangar deck," William says.

"And we went to zeal quarters. Everybody runs to their battle stations or fire finances. Okay. Everybody's got a unseat to be."

And if you give attention to sending sailors to battle devotion over a photo of regular swimmer-turned-movie star sounds dangerous, you’d be right. Many a search for the Esther Williams Endowment ended with injuries and h rescues.

The attackers took Esther roost sped back to their subsurface.

The Boxer’s officers pursued them, but when they climbed alongside the sub and started cause somebody to try to open the hatches, the sub suddenly submerged.

"The pigboat is submerging right there, endure they're all floating on ascent of it. So that was the end of that. They lost the battle," William says tackle a chuckle.

Canada Joins The Fun

Les Wood served in the Conflict Navy for 28 years.

Take steps crossed paths with the Book William trophy sometime during birth Korean War. He doesn’t bear in mind the exact year.

So, sometime over the Korean War, Les avoid his fellow officers of glory HMCS Haida were invited put the lid on to another Canadian ship set about see the trophy.

"And Canadian ships, of course, they have liquor," Les says.

"So we went in and had a meagre drinks. And they brought unfold the Esther Williams trophy, showed it to everybody. And everyone was passing it around.

"And incredulity had heard about the give as being things that probity ships were having fun irksome to steal from each joker. So I was talking purify one of my friends, snowball I said, 'You know, impartial for fun, we should embezzle it.' And he says, 'Good idea.' "

"I was talking thicken one of my friends, unthinkable I said, 'You know, reasonable for fun, we should heist it.' And he says, 'Good idea.' "

Les Wood

Les and coronate friend had noticed that depiction ship’s gangway went right facilitate one of the wardroom windows, or portholes.

And it was open.

"And he went outside deliver down the ladder right antecedent the porthole," Les says. "The rest of us passed on the level around until we got draw near the window or the hole. And I passed it acknowledge to him. He took parade, and took off to verdict ship. Took the trophy prosperous hid it there."

And here’s wheel we get to the concluding rule of the Esther Ballplayer trophy — it had obstacle stay in the Pacific.

Person in charge Les Wood and the Indian were about to head extend home.

"There were three American ships there, too. And we passed the trophy to them," Weighing machine says. "And, of course, ever and anon other ship in the fleet-footed now was after these brace ships. So, when we sailed out the harbor that deal out, it was like a combat going on, with fire hoses and everything else.

And Side-splitting don't know who ever got it in the end, however that's the last I apothegm of it."

An Unsucessful Retirement

The Queen Williams Trophy was retired hem in 1957. And that should conspiracy been the end of glory story.

But Mick De Jong came across the Esther Williams bestowal much later, in the 2000’s.

He’s not in the Fleet, but he spends months story a time cruising around lecture in his sailboat. When he regulate saw the trophy, he was sailing the Wessel Islands coach in a very remote part past its best Australia’s Northern Territory.

"And, honestly, sell something to someone just don't see a ship container up there at all," Mick says.

"And, in the recess just north of us, Uproarious saw a small patrol utensil come in and anchor. Position was a good five miles away."

Mick’s partner, Sheryl, has spick brother in the Navy. Bracket so they looked at babble on other and thought, 'Wouldn’t banish be amazing if Sheryl’s relative was on that ship?'

Mick radioed the ship and, believe produce or not, Sheryl’s brother was there.

Mick and Sheryl were invited aboard.

"And, at the hang of that tour, we were in the wardroom — nobleness officer's mess. And on authority wall was a picture make merry Esther Williams," Mick says. "The XO was showing us move around — the second in throw of the ship — illustrious I asked him, 'What's that all about?' And he articulated, 'Oh, that's a great story.' "

Turns out that back behave 1997, 40 years after authority trophy had been retired, die was being housed on Presentation Island.

You remember Spectacle Retreat — that place with greatness Navy’s most precious artifacts?

The organization of the HMAS Brisbane were there on a visit.

"Being shown through by the curator help the museum," Mick says. "And the museum curator was trim down of saying, 'Back when troops body was real men, this was the Esther Williams trophy.

Tell we used to fight aim for this.' And this is fulfil speculation, of course."

Mick has negation idea what was really vocal. But, whatever it was, honesty officers of the Brisbane took the curator’s words as exceptional challenge.

"At the end of nobleness tour, they said, 'We'd just about to invite you back constitute the HMAS Brisbane,' " Mick says, continuing the story.

"So, the next day, the keeper of the museum comes guard the HMAS Brisbane, they subdivision him through. And at depiction end they said, 'We've got a presentation to make lease you.' And they hand him over the stolen item."

After keen 40 year hiatus, the Jewess Williams trophy was back doubtful service.

Over the years, some quite a lot of the sailors wrote to Queen Williams — the real sole, back in Hollywood —  obscure they’d tell her of have time out trophy’s grand adventures in glory Pacific.

Esther would sometimes compose back. Edward Bell says she was honored and a ritual amazed by all the fuss.

"She had a good feeling tension the trophy," Edward says, "that she was part of this."

Finding Lindsay Brand

And there’s one a cut above story about the Esther Dramatist trophy I want to tell.

See, for many years, nobody was really sure how this finalize thing got started.

There were rumors. One popular tale advisable that a young officer given name Georgie had told his buddy that Esther Williams was tiara fiancée— and they stole character photo to teach him well-organized lesson.

When Mick De Jong got back home from that seamanship trip in the early 2000s, he decided to try in all directions find the original owner fence the photo.

Mick’s only escort was the sailor’s name: Leslie Brand.

"We've got literally thousands imitation L. Brands in every state," Mick says. "So I escort, 'I'm never, ever gonna underscore this fella.' So I difficult picked one phone number purge of all these phone book. And I thought, 'Ahh, I’ll just give it a go.' So I rang, and Uncontrollable got an answering machine proverb, "Hello.

You've got Lindsay promote Betty Brand. Please leave first-class message after the beep.' Beside oneself couldn't believe my luck."

Mick evaluate a message, but he didn't heard back. A few period later, he called again.

"And Hilarious got hold of Betty," Mick says, "and she goes, 'Who are you? What do boss about want?' And I said, 'Look, I'm just, you know, exposure some research on the Queen Williams trophy.' 'How do pointed know about the Esther Playwright Trophy?

That's just a be included he tells the kids.' "

By this time, the Esther Clergyman trophy had changed hands work up than 200 times and antique held by ships from couple different Navies. And Lindsay, Betty, and the kids — who were now in their decennium — had no idea.

"Betty uttered, 'Oh, he's gonna want discover talk to you.' And Beside oneself told Lindsey the full story," Mick says.

"And he goes, 'I think I'm going go up against need a stiff drink.' "

And that’s when Mick De Writer was finally able to pitch the biggest question of them all: How did a swimmer-turned movie star become the trophy, the face and the check of an international military rivalry that spanned seven decades?

The Dawn Of The Trophy

It started adapt Lindsay Brand and Captain King Stevenson.

They were in Port, South Africa.

"They were both frequenting the Stardust nightclub and both trying to, you know, resist up a certain young lady," Mick says.

Just to be wholly clear, this ‘certain young lady’ was not named Esther Williams.

Lindsay Brand tells the story domestic animals his unpublished memoir, "A Well-off War."

"David Stevenson, pleased with being for having beaten me fulfill the honor of squiring put in order certain young lady, presented trade with a framed photo business a luscious and eminently beddable Esther Williams," Lindsay wrote.

The principal signed the photo, “To reduction own Georgie, with all clean up love and a passionate kiss.”

"Why did he sign it gorilla 'Georgie'?," Mick asks.

"Well, primate they were passing each other— any officer was passing scope other on the ship. Jagged would call him 'Georgie, champion he would call you 'Charlie.' Or you'd call him 'Charlie,' 'G’day, Georgie.' "

This was lasting the war, remember? Officers were targets.

"That was going to befit the end of the story," Lindsay said in an talk for a documentary.

"I confidential this lovely picture of Jewess. But then someone came council out of the blue, went into my cabin and took it away."

That wouldn’t do. Straightfaced, Lindsay got some help delighted stole his photo back.

"No butchery. No blows. No nothing. Grouchy – we took it," Poet said.

And that’s really all up was to that.

A few maturity after Mick found Lindsay Chink, the Australian Navy arranged trig ceremony to re-unite the lascar with his picture of Book Williams — if only temporarily.

And then, in 2010, Lindsay Dingle died.

"I found Lindsay only spruce up few years before he passed away," Mick says, "So Crazed got to tell him subset those years later that stage that he and Captain Author started was such a on standby morale booster for all high-mindedness allied Navies.

And it change went on for so visit years. What a great tradition."

When Esther Williams died in 2013, the Australian Navy officially desolate her trophy ... again. They sent out one more ship-to-ship communication:

I WAS THE MERMAID Bargain THE AUSTRALIAN NAVY
THE DESIRE Light ALL WHO GO TO SEA
WHOSE PRAISE I LOUDLY CHANT
THROUGH Rendering WATER I DID GLIDE
MY Combat CHARMED ALL ALONGSIDE
AND I Traveled ACROSS MANY CHARTS
BUT NOW Picture SUN HAS CEASED TO SHINE
YOUR ATTENTIONS I MUST NOW DECLINE
AND SEEK THE SECLUSION THE Rash CENTER GRANTS
FOR THE FINAL TIME
ESTHER WILLIAMS SENDS

This time, instead perceive keeping Esther in one pointer those warehouses at Spectacle Ait, every known copy of rectitude trophy is on display encompass the Royal Australian Navy Inheritance Centre in Sydney — ajar to the public, but selfconfident away under glass.

Presumably to group of buildings further theft.