Bathing Beauty is a 1944 musical starring Red Skelton, Basil Rathbone and Esther Williams and directed by George Sidney. Although this was not Williams’ screen debut, it was her first Technicolor musical. The film was initially to be titled “Mr. Co-Ed” with Red Skelton having top billing. However, once MGM executives realized that Esther Williams’ role should be showcased more, and changed the title to “Bathing Beauty,” giving her prominent billing and featuring her bathing-suit clad figure on the posters.
