It appeared as if I had invited the audience into the water with me, and it conveyed the sensation that being in there was absolutely delicious.

Somehow I kept my head above water. I relied on the discipline, character, and strength that I had started to develop as that little girl in her first swimming pool.

I was 15, and the years of hard swimming had packed muscle on my frame and made me very strong. Not as strong as a football player, but strong enough to inflict heavy damage.

Critics established a snobbery toward me.

Clark Gable was the first to have called me a mermaid.

Victor Mature was a big man; he had a great swagger. I liked him and I knew we'd be good together on screen.