Hollywood swimming pools – in pictures

As a three-year water crisis in California prompts questions about the feasibility of having your own private swimming pool in the Golden State, we take a nostalgic look back to a time when the ubiquitous back-yard oasis took centre stage in Hollywood films

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Eddie Murphy in a scene from Beverly Hills Cop 2
Eddie Murphy in a scene from Beverly Hills Cop 2. Photograph: Moviestore Collection/Rex
John Turturro and Michael Lerner, in the 1991 Coen brothers film, Barton Fink.
John Turturro and Michael Lerner in the 1991 Coen brothers film, Barton Fink. Photograph: 20th Century Fox/Everett/Rex
While not quite a swimming pool, jacuzzis may well be consigned to a watery bin as well. Cynthia Stevenson, and Tim Robbins read scripts in Robert Altman's 1992 film The Player.
While not quite a swimming pool, jacuzzis may well be consigned to a watery bin as well. Cynthia Stevenson and Tim Robbins read scripts in Robert Altman’s 1992 film, The Player. Photograph: Everett Collection/Rex
Perhaps one of the most famous Californian swimming pool scenes of all time, Joe Gillis, played by William Holden, lies face down in Norma Desmond's pool in the film Sunset Boulevar
Perhaps one of the most famous Californian swimming-pool scenes of all time, Joe Gillis, played by William Holden, lies face down in Norma Desmond’s pool in the film Sunset Boulevard. Photograph: Everett Collection/Rex
Great for glamorous photo shoots, Jean Harlow poses in front of her home at 1353 Club View Drive, Beverly Hills, California, circa 1933.
Great for glamorous photo shoots, Jean Harlow poses in front of the swimming pool at her home at 1353 Club View Drive, Beverly Hills, California, circa 1933. Photograph: Everett Collection/Rex
A scene from The Last Boy Scout, where a car is dropped into a swimming pool.
A scene from The Last Boy Scout, where a car is dropped into a swimming pool. Photograph: Moviestore Collection/Rex
In the remake of Jean-Luc Godard's classic À Bout de Souffle, Richard Gere and Valérie Kaprisky star in Breathless.
In the remake of Jean Luc Goddard’s classic A bout de Souffe, Richard Gere and Valérie Kaprisky star in Breathless. Photograph: Snap/Rex
Swimming star Esther Williams appeared in a number of water based movies, including Bathing Beauty, a story which takes place in Los Angeles.
Swimming star Esther Williams appeared in a number of water-based movies, including Bathing Beauty – a story which takes place in Los Angeles. Photograph: Snap/Rex
Sharon Tate in a scene from Valley Of The Dolls.
Sharon Tate in a scene from Valley of the Dolls. Photograph: Moviestore Collection/Rex
And to finish our filmic swimming pools, Dustin Hoffman, William Daniels, and Elizabeth Wilson get to know each other better in a scene from The Graduate.
And to finish our filmic swimming pools, Dustin Hoffman, William Daniels, and Elizabeth Wilson get to know each other better in a scene from The Graduate. Photograph: Archive Photos/Getty Images

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