Marjorie Reynolds

American actress (1917–1997)

Marjorie Reynolds (née Goodspeed; August 12, 1917 – February 1, 1997) was an American film and television actress who appeared in more than 50 films, including the 1942 musical Holiday Inn,^[1] in which she and Bing Crosby introduced the song "White Christmas" in a duet, albeit with her singing dubbed.

Early life

The daughter of a doctor and his wife,^[2] Reynolds was born Marjorie Goodspeed in Buhl, Idaho.^[3] She acted under the names Marjorie Goodspeed and Marjorie Moore.^[4] When she was three years old, her family moved to Los Angeles, California.^[2] She began to take dancing lessons at age 4. She attended Los Angeles High School.^[5]

Career

Beginning at age 6,^[2] Reynolds was a featured child actress in such silent films as Scaramouche (1923). At age 8 she stopped acting to concentrate on education until leaving school at 16 to play a ballerina in Herbert Brenon's Wine, Women and Song (1933). She went on to appear in bit parts in many films, including Gone with the Wind (1939) and as a chorus girl in Paramount Pictures musicals. Her first speaking role was in Murder in Greenwich Village (1937) and she then appeared in a number of westerns for Poverty Row studios opposite most of the cowboy stars of the time with the exception of Gene Autry.^[6]

Reynolds played the loyal girlfriend opposite wrongly accused Richard Cromwell in Enemy Agent (1940). That same year, in The Fatal Hour, Reynolds appeared for Monogram Pictures as a reporter on the trail of Boris Karloff's detective James Lee Wong and opposite Grant Withers as a cop.

Doomed to Die (1940), Boris Karloff seated. Standing L-R, Marjorie Reynolds, Gibson Gowland, Grant Withers

William Bendix and Marjorie Reynolds in a 1956 episode of the television series The Life of Riley

Perhaps her best-known film was Holiday Inn (1942), which introduced the classic song "White Christmas". She performed the song both as a duet with Bing Crosby and later in a solo performance, although her singing was dubbed by Martha Mears.^[7] The movie also showcased her dancing ability.

She also had major roles in Fritz Lang's Ministry of Fear (1944) and in the movie Up in Mabel's Room (1944).^[8] Her career progression was hindered by the premature death of her mentor, Mark Sandrich.

Reynolds starred with Abbott and Costello in the supernatural comedy The Time of Their Lives (1946), one of the few films with Abbott and Costello as leads but not together as a team. Instead, Costello spends most of his screen time with Reynolds; they play a pair of American Revolution ghosts who need the help of Abbott and his friends to get to heaven. Leonard Maltin's review of the film describes it as "Most unusual film for A&C and one of their best... Imaginative, funny, and well done."^[9] She was cast in a supporting role in Mario Lanza's film debut, That Midnight Kiss (1949).

She later appeared in the NBC version of the television series The Life of Riley^[10] (1953–1958) and appeared on three episodes of the television series Leave it to Beaver (1960–1963).

Personal life

Reynolds was married to Jack Reynolds, a casting director.^[11] The couple had a daughter, Linda, and divorced in 1952.^[12] Her second husband was film editor Jon M. Haffen (who during his acting career had been billed as John Whitney). He died in 1985.^[3][13][7]

Recognition

Reynolds has a star in the Television section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 1525 Vine Street.^[14]

Death

On February 1, 1997, having suffered from congestive heart disease, she collapsed and died in Manhattan Beach, California, while walking her dog. She was 79 years old.^{[citation needed]}

Acting credits

Film

Television

Notes

Citations

1. Profile, infoplease.com; accessed June 23, 2014.
2. Lowrance, Dee (April 5, 1942). "They're Not Daffy -- JustDanceDizzy". Montana, Butte. The Montana Standard. p. 26. Retrieved February 1, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "'Holiday Inn,' 'Riley' actress Marjorie Reynolds dies at 79". The San Bernardino County Sun. California, San Bernardino. The San Bernardino County Sun. February 14, 1997. p. 20. Retrieved February 1, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
4. Hischak (2008), p. 621
5. Corby, Jane (March 30, 1944). "Screen". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. New York, Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 16. Retrieved February 1, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Hollywood Inside". Daily Variety. December 8, 1941. p. 2.
7. Vosburgh, Dick (February 14, 1997). "Obituary: Marjorie Reynolds". Independent. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
8. "Up From Westerns!: LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD WITH HEDDA HOPPER", Chicago Daily Tribune, March 12, 1944, p. C4.
9. Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide, third edition, p. 719.
10. "Marjorie Reynolds | biography – American actress | Encyclopedia Britannica". www.britannica.com. Archived from the original on February 17, 2015.
11. "Marjorie Reynolds, Film Star, to Appear at Ritz". The San Bernardino County Sun. California, San Bernardino. The San Bernardino County Sun. August 29, 1939. p. 9. Retrieved February 1, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Marjorie Reynolds Sues for Divorce". Panama City News-Herald. Florida, Panama City. Panama City News-Herald. April 6, 1952. p. 23. Retrieved February 1, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Marjorie Reynolds Weds Film Editor". The Sedalia Democrat. Missouri, Sedalia. The Sedalia Democrat. May 18, 1953. p. 11. Retrieved February 1, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Marjorie Reynolds". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
15. Monush (1965), p. 633
16. "Wine, Women and Song". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
17. "College Holiday". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
18. "Murder in Greenwich Village". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
19. "Tex Rides with the Boy Scouts". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
20. "Western Trails". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
21. "Delinquent Parents". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
22. "Rebellious Daughters". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
23. "Six Shootin' Sheriff". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
24. "The Overland Express". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
25. "The Black Bandit". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
26. "Guilty Trails". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
27. "Man's Country". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
28. Bridges (1998)
29. "Mr. Wong in Chinatown". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
30. "Streets of New York". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
31. "Sky Patrol". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
32. "Racketeers of the Range". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
33. "Danger Flight". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
34. "Mystery Plane". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
35. "Stunt Pilot". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
36. "The Phantom Stage". AFI Catalog of Feature films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
37. "Timber Stampede". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
38. "The Fatal Hour". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
39. "Doomed to Die". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
40. "Midnight Limited". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
41. "Chasing Trouble". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
42. "Up in the Air". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
43. "Enemy Agent". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
44. "Cyclone on Horseback". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
45. "Dude Cowboy". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
46. "The Great Swindle". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
47. "Robin Hood of the Pecos". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
48. "Secret Evidence". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
49. "Tillie the Toiler". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
50. "Top Sergeant Mulligan". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
51. "Law of the Timber". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
52. "Holiday Inn". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
53. "Dixie". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
54. "Star Spangled Rhythm". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
55. "Ministry of Fear". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
56. "3 Is a Family". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
57. "Up in Mabel's Room". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
58. "Bring on the Girls". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
59. "Duffy's Tavern". AFI Catalog of Features Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
60. "Meet Me on Broadway". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
61. "Monsieur Beaucaire". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
62. "The Time of Their Lives". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
63. "Heaven Only Knows". AFI Catalog of Featured Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
64. "Bad Men of Tombstone". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
65. "That Midnight Kiss". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
66. "Customs Agent". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
67. "The Great Jewel Robber". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
68. "Rookie Fireman". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
69. "His Kind of Woman". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
70. "Home Town Story". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
71. "Models Inc". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
72. "No Holds Barred". AFI Catalog of Featured Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
73. "Mobs, Inc". BFI. Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
74. "Juke Box Rhythm". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
75. "The Silent Witness (1962)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
76. Brooks, Marsh (2007), p. 625
77. "Peace and Quiet". BFI. Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
78. "The Last Battleground". BFI. Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
79. Terrace (1985), p.321

References

• Bridges, Herb (1998). Filming of Gone With the Wind. Mercer University Press. ISBN 978-0-86554-621-9.
• Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House. ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4.
• Hischak, Thomas S. (2008). The Oxford Companion to the American Musical: Theatre, Film, and Television. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-533533-0.
• Monush, Barry (1965). The Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors. Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. ISBN 978-1-55783-551-2.
• Terrace, Vincent (1985). Encyclopedia of Television: Series, Pilots and Specials 1974–1984. New York Zoetrope. ISBN 978-0-918432-61-2.

External links

• Marjorie Reynolds at Library of Congress, with 5 library catalog records
• Marjorie Reynolds at IMDb
• Marjorie Reynolds at AllMovie