"I was the only swimmer in movies. Tarzan was long gone, and he couldn't have done them anyway; he could never have gotten into my bathing suit"

In this quote, Esther Williams, a prominent American actress and competitive swimmer, is making a lively yet pointed declaration about her special position in the movie market and her unparalleled prowess as a swimmer. By stating, "I was the only swimmer in motion pictures", Williams is emphasizing her unique niche in Hollywood as the leading water performer of her time. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, she ended up being popular for her roles in "aquamusicals", where her swimming skills were showcased in elaborate water-based sequences. This remark highlights her particular status in a genre that was, essentially, produced around her exceptional capabilities.

When Williams refers to Tarzan, she is most likely alluding to Johnny Weissmuller, another renowned swimmer-turned-actor who played Tarzan in various films during the 1930s and 1940s. Weissmuller was a five-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, that made his transition to the function of Tarzan-- a character known for his physical prowess and vine-swinging adventures-- quite fitting. Nevertheless, by specifying "Tarzan was long gone, and he couldn't have actually done them anyhow; he might never ever have gotten into my swimsuit", Williams humorously highlights the exclusivity of her role. The swimwear metaphor is loaded with double entendre: initially, it stresses the specialized and feminine nature of her aquamusicals, which needed a blend of athleticism, glamour, and choreography that was distinctively Williams's domain. Second, it playfully recommends that, as effective and iconic as Weissmuller was, he would not have appropriated for her water ballets, which combined swimming with acting in a clearly feminine way.

Hence, the quote encapsulates Williams's pride in her career, her ability to control a niche cinematic genre, and her acknowledgment of the gender-specific challenges and accomplishments she dealt with within the entertainment industry. Overall, it provides a blend of self-assurance, humor, and a nod to the historic context of her accomplishments in Hollywood.