Billy Rose Aquacade Show 1939 New York World's Fair

These are original Color 16mm films taken by my father (copyright) of the Billy Rose Aquacade Swim Show starring Eleanor Holm and, Buster Crabbe. This huge pool and show production was presented at the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair and features synchronized swimming production numbers, and a high diving platform act. Enjoy!

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Billy
• Rose
• Aquacade
• Color
• movies
• 1939
• 1940
• New
• York
• world's
• Fair
• synchronized
• swimming
• Eleanor
• Holm
• Buster
• Crabbe

[redsadiekins]

Thank you so much for posting this! My great-grandfather did the choreography for all of Billy Rose's shows and this was the first I been able to see footage. It means a lot to me!

[doogie1136]

You're welcome - it is interesting to learn of teh various connections people have with this historical event at the NY World's Fair. Appreciate your note. The choreography of the Aquacade always interested me- especially the swim line on the edge of the pool...

[ladydi5319]

Wow! What a great piece of history. My daughters LOVE Johnny Weissmuller and read his books where he talks about this Aquacade show.  I think he also did one in Silver Springs Florida where I grew up. Thanks for sharing. It is always a treat to see Johnny Weissmuller!

[doogie1136]

Always interested me growing up that this film was rare for content but also early color footage depicting a form of entertainment that was set in pre World War II times at the Fair in 1939.... There are a few web sites out there that can give context to what was going on in the world during the '39-40 timeframe...in terms of the NY World's Fair.Color film itself was just coming into its own, so we always appreciated the fact this footage was in color, not black and white!

[JimpK]

I don't think this is N.Y.  I believe the only Billy Rose Aqucade at a World's Fair was in San francisco. I saw it at the age of 5. Esther Williams Was in it, and signed with MGM shortly afterwards. She made several films before "Bathing Beauty: in 1944.

[doogie1136]

Definitely New York World's Fair- this is only a part of his films that were all taken over 1939 1940 at the NY World's Fair.

[BerlinLynn]

Wow! I was absolutely stunned to find this. I have just finished re-reading Esther William's autobiography and she described the terrible experiences with Morton Downey (the host) and Johnny Weissmuller during this time. Thanks for sharing this treasure!

[tuesgone62]

Wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing this piece of history.

[lelaleela]

My grandma was in this show! If anyone has any photos to share, I would be thrilled. Thank you so much for posting.

[rockandroll4evermore]

Wow! What great film. Your Dad did a great job shooting this.

[wolfen244]

Bravo

[meherdust]

According to my dad Kurt, who understudied Weismuller, Johnny was unhappy in New York with Holms who was going with Billy Rose, and so in 1940 Buster Crabbe took his place- and Weismuller went to SF.

( BTW my mom and dad met swimming at the 39 Aquacade, married, moved to Miami and swam there for years at hotel shows.

[Ninetybean]

@LanaBanana53 Kurt was my Grandfather.  :)

[Ninetybean]

@LanaBanana53 Kurt was my Grandfather. :)

[BernadineMudd]

LOVED the show. Thanks for posting. I was trying to date a pic of my grandmother standing in front of a Billy Rose Aquacade poster at the SF World's Fair, and this was the icing on the cake.

[Hevynly1]

I just finished reading Esther Williams' autobiography. The poor girl and all of her horrible dealings with Weissmuller and the host!! I don't know how she coped. She's a total legend.

This is great to see. Thank you!!

[LanaBanana53]

My mother's cousin, Kurt Neunzig was a swimmer here and an understudy for Johnny Weismuller. Kurt Neunzig just died at 96 on 12/27/2010. RIP

[kalebird]

@doogie1136 hey, love the footage! do you know the copyright details of it (age & public domain). would really appreciate it. thanks!