A Vintage Vantage: Burt Lancaster in The Swimmer

'Pool by pool, they form a river all the way to our house.'

Ned Merrill

Although I had heard of actor Burt Lancaster, until about six years ago, I'd never seen any of films, including his iconic role From Here To Eternity. (still on my list to watch...)  Thanks to my love of circus, and circus themed films, I did DVR and watch  TCM's airing of Trapeze, the 1956 circus film co-starring Tony Curtis and Gina Lollobrigida.

I thought Lancaster was incredibly hot in the flick, and put together a piece for FH about Lancaster and the film. (HERE:)  During my research, I discovered something many of you already knew, Lancaster's early work as a nude physique model. I didn't however know, until last week, that Lancaster also had a nude scene in 1968's The Swimmer.

The Swimmer (1968)

I DVR'd and watched another of Lancaster's film, this time 1969's Airport.  I'd heard of Airport, and it's sequels before, and loved Airplane, the Leslie Nelson spoof of the film.  I've loved watching many old disaster films from the 70's and 80's, but for some reason, Airport never really interested me.  I really enjoyed it, mostly because the 'disaster' wasn't really the focus of the film.  Instead, the focus is on the character drama which leads up to it.

I again crushed over the ruggedly handsome Lancaster and once again, I clicked on Google images and typed 'Burt Lancaster nude'.  This time, not only did some of Lancaster nude modeling shots come up, but a black and white still of Lancaster's meaty backside from The Swimmer.

I immediately found a copy to watch, enjoy and cap for FH.  The Swimmer was written and directed by Academy Award-nominated husband-and-wife team of Eleanor Perry (screenplay adaptation) and Frank Perry (director). The film was based on a 1964 short story by Jon Cheever which appeared in The New Yorker.

In the story, Ned Merrill, discovers a series of backyard swimming pools which he thinks / hopes will allow him to swim home.  Checking out the pools, and their owners, means Lancaster is in his tight black bathing suit, (except when remove it....) for almost the entire film. Lancaster was 55 during the filming of The Swimmer, but looked incredibly fit.  I read this was one of Lancaster's favorite roles, and like in Trapeze, Lancaster seems to welcome leaving his tough guy roles for parts that spotlight his physique and sex appeal.