Marjorie Reynolds Explained

Marjorie Reynolds
Birthname:Marjorie Goodspeed
Birth Date:12 August 1917
Birth Place:Buhl, Idaho, U.S.
Death Place:Manhattan Beach, California, U.S.
Occupation:Actress
Spouse:
    Children:1

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

    Career

    Beginning at age 6, 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.[5]

    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.

    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. 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).[6] 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."[7] 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[8] (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.[9] The couple had a daughter, Linda, and divorced in 1952.[10] Her second husband was film editor Jon M. Haffen (who during his acting career had been billed as John Whitney). He died in 1985.[11] [12]

    Recognition

    Reynolds has a star in the Television section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 1525 Vine Street.[13]

    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.

    Acting credits

    Film

    YearTitleRoleDirectorProducerStudio/DistributorOther cast membersRefs.
    1923Child (uncredited)B. P. Shulberg Productions, Preferred Pictures, Exclusivité Equitable FilmsKenneth Harlan, Miriam Cooper
    ScaramoucheBit part (uncredited)Rex IngramMetro-Goldwyn-MayerRamon Novarro, Alice Terry, Lewis Stone
    TrilbyWaif (uncredited)Richard Walton TullyAssociated First National PicturesAndrée Lafayette, Creighton Hale
    1924RevelationChild (uncredited)George D. BakerMetro-Goldwyn-MayerViola Dana, Monte Blue, Lew Cody
    1933Wine, Women and SongMarilyn Arnette (credited as Marjorie Moore)I. E. ChadwickState RightsLilyan Tashman, Lew Cody[14]
    College Humor(uncredited)William LeBaronBing Crosby, Jack Oakie, Richard Arlen, Mary Carlisle
    1935Collegiate(uncredited)Ralph MurphyAdolph ZukorParamount PicturesJack Oakie[15]
    1936(uncredited)Adolph ZukorParamount PicturesJack Benny
    Three Cheers for Love(Uncredited)Adolph ZukorParamount PicturesRobert Cummings, Eleanore Whitney
    College HolidayStudent (uncredited)William LeBaron, Harlan ThompsonParamountJack Benny, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Martha Raye[16]
    Dancing Pirate(Uncredited)Merian C. CooperRKO PicturesRita Hayworth, Frank Morgan, Charles Collins
    1937Murder in Greenwich VillageMolly MurphyIrving BriskinColumbia PicturesRichard Arlen, Fay Wray[17]
    Tex Rides with the Boy ScoutsNorma WillisEdward L. AlpersonGrand National Films Inc.Tex Ritter, Philip Ahn[18]
    1938Western TrailsAlicePaul MalvernUniversal PicturesBob Baker[19]
    Delinquent ParentsEdythe Ellis as a young womanBen N. JudellState RightsDoris Weston[20]
    Rebellious DaughtersClaireBen N. JudellState RightsVerna Hillie[21]
    Six Shootin' SheriffMolly MorganMax AlexanderGrand National Films Inc.Ken Maynard[22]
    Jean GreeleyL. G. LeonardColumbia PicturesBuck Jones[23]
    Jane AllenTrem CarrUniversal PicturesBob Baker[24]
    Guilty TrailsJackieTrem CarrUniversal PicturesBob Baker[25]
    Man's CountryMadge CraneRobert TanseyMonogram PicturesJack Randall[26]
    1939Gone with the Wind(uncredited)David O. SelznickMetro-Goldwyn-MayerVivien Leigh[27]
    Mr. Wong in ChinatownBobby LoganWilliam T. LackeyMonogram PicturesBoris Karloff, Grant Withers[28]
    Streets of New YorkAnne CarrollScott R. DunlapMonagram PicturesJackie Cooper[29]
    Sky PatrolBetty Lou BarnesPaul MalvernMonogram PicturesJackie Coogan, Milburn Stone, Jason Robards Sr.[30]
    Racketeers of the RangeHelen LewisBert GilroyRKO Radio PicturesGeorge O'Brien, Chill Wills[31]
    Danger FlightBetty LouPaul MalvernMonogram PicturesMilburn Stone, Jacon Robards Sr.[32]
    Mystery PlaneBetty LouPaul MalvernMonogram PicturesMilburn Stone, Jason Robards Sr.[33]
    Stunt PilotBetty LouPaul MalvernMonogram PicturesMilburn Stone, Jason Robards Sr.[34]
    MaryTrem CarrUniversal PicturesBob Baker[35]
    Timber StampedeAnne CarrBert GilroyRKO Radio PicturesChill Wills[36]
    1940Bobby LoganWilliam T. LackeyMonogram PicturesBoris Karloff, Grant Withers[37]
    Doomed to DieBobby LoganWilliam T. LackeyMonogram PicturesBoris Karloff, Grant Withers[38]
    Midnight LimitedJoan MarshallT. R. WilliamsMonogram PicturesJohn 'Dusty' King[39]
    Chasing TroubleSusieGrant WithersMonogram PicturesFrankie Darro, Mantan Moreland, Milburn Stone[40]
    Up in the AirAnne MasonLindsley ParsonsMonogram PicturesFrankie Darro, Mantan Moreland[41]
    Enemy AgentPeggy O'ReillyBen PivarUniversal PicturesRichard Cromwell, Helen Vinson, Robert Armstrong[42]
    1941Cyclone on HorsebackMary CorbinBert GilroyRKO Radio PicturesTim Holt[43]
    Dude CowboyBarbara AdamsBert GilroyRKO Radio PicturesTim Holt[44]
    Margaret SwannLarry DarmourColumbia PicturesJack Holt[45]
    Robin Hood of the PecosJeanie GraysonJoseph KaneRepublic PicturesRoy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes[46]
    Secret EvidenceLinda WilsonE.B. DerrProducers Releasing CorporationCharles Quigley[47]
    Tillie the ToilerBubblesRobert SparksColumbia PicturesWilliam Tracy, Sylvia Field[48]
    Top Sergeant MulliganGail NashLindsley ParsonsMonogram PicturesNat Pendleton, Carol Hughes, Sterling Holloway[49]
    Law of the TimberPerry LorimarBernard B. RayProducers Releasing CorporationMonte Blue, J. Farrell MacDonald[50]
    1942Holiday InnLinda MasonMark SandrichParamount PicturesBing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Virginia Dale[51]
    1943DixieJean MasonPaul JonesParamount PicturesBing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour, Billy De Wolfe, Clara Blandick, Eddie Foy, Jr.[52]
    Star Spangled RhythmHerselfJoseph SistromParamount PicturesBing Crosby, Bob Hope, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Mary Martin, Veronica Lake[53]
    1944Ministry of FearCarla HilfeBuddy G. DeSylvaParamount PicturesRay Milland, Carl Esmond, Hillary Brooke[54]
    3 Is a FamilyKitty MitchellSol LesserUnited ArtistsCharles Ruggles, Fay Bainter, Hattie McDaniel, Arthur Lake[55]
    Up in Mabel's RoomGeraldine AinsworthEdward SmallUnited ArtistsCharlotte Greenwood, Gail Patrick, Dennis O'Keefe[56]
    1945Bring on the GirlsSue ThomasFred KohlmarParamount PicturesEddie Bracken, Veronica Lake[57]
    Duffy's TavernPeggy O'MalleyDanny DareParamount PicturesBing Crosby[58]
    1946Meet Me on BroadwayAnn StallingsBurt KellyColumbia PicturesFred Brady[59]
    Monsieur BeaucairePrincess Maria of SpainPaul JonesParamount PicturesBob Hope[60]
    Melody AllenVal BurtonUniversal PicturesBud Abbott, Lou Costello, Gale Sondergaard[61]
    1947Heaven Only KnowsGingerSeymour NebenzalUnited ArtistsRobert Cummings, Brian Donlevy[62]
    1949Bad Men of TombstoneJulieMaurice KingKing Brothers ProductionsBarry Sullivan, Broderick Crawford[63]
    That Midnight KissMaryJoe PasternakMetro-Goldwyn-MayerMario Lanza, Kathryn Grayson[64]
    1950Customs AgentLucille GerrardRudolph FlothowColumbia PicturesBenson Fong, William Eythe[65]
    Martha RollinsBryan FoyWarner Bros.John Archer, David Brian[66]
    Rookie FiremanMargie WilliamsMilton FeldmanColumbia PicturesBill Williams, Barton MacLane[67]
    1951His Kind of WomanHelen CardiganRobert SparksRKO PicturesRobert Mitchum, Jane Russell, Vincent Price[68]
    Home Town StoryJanice HuntArthur PiersonMetro-Goldwyn-MayerJeffrey Lynn, Donald Crisp, Alan Hale, Jr.[69]
    1952Models Inc.Peggy HowardJack DietzMutual Pictures CorporationHoward Duff, Coleen Gray[70]
    No Holds BarredRhonda NelsonJerry ThomasMonogram PicturesLeo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, David Gorcey, Bernard Gorcey[71]
    1956Mobs, Inc.Mary Hale Browne (archive footage)Reed Hadley[72]
    1959Juke Box RhythmMartha MantonSam KatzmanColumbia PicturesJo Morrow, Jack Jones, Brian Donlevy[73]
    1962MaryKen KennedyEmerson Film Enterprises Inc.George Kennedy[74]

    Television

    YearTitleRoleEpisodeRefs.
    1949Hands of MysterySecret Life of a Killer
    1951A Case of Marriage[75]
    Hollywood Theatre TimeSally SandersThe Spectre[76]
    Racket SquadThe Fabulous Mr. James
    Gruen Guild TheaterThe Luckiest Guy in the World
    Gruen Guild TheaterPeril in the House
    1952The BlondeThe Slide Rule Blonde
    1953NursePeace and Quiet[77]
    1955Louise MalcolmThe Fred Malcolm Story
    1953–1958Peg Riley76 episodes
    1960Barbara's MotherMillionaire Dixon Cooper
    Shirley Temple's StorybookBettyEmmy Lou
    Leave It to BeaverMrs. MurdockChuckie's New Shoes
    1961Whispering SmithBaby Doll HarrisThe Idol
    Surfside 6Mrs. PhelpsLittle Star Lost
    1962Tales of Wells FargoHelen MapesDon't Wake a Tiger
    Alcoa PremiereEleanorThe Cake Baker
    Leave It to BeaverMrs. MurdockBeaver the Babysitter
    Our Man HigginsDodie BannisterThe Three Faces of Higgins
    1963LaramieMrs. ShermanThe Last Battleground[78]
    Leave It to BeaverMildred GregoryThe All-Night Party
    Wide CountryKaty BlaufusThe Quest for Jacob Blaufus
    Our Man HigginsDodie BannisterBlack Thursday
    Our Man HigginsDodie BannisterThe Milkman Cometh
    1969Annie ButterworthLove Comes to Annie Butterworth
    1978PearlNurse #3[79]

    Notes

    References

    Notes and References

    1. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0187952.html Profile
    2. News: 'Holiday Inn,' 'Riley' actress Marjorie Reynolds dies at 79. The San Bernardino County Sun . The San Bernardino County Sun. February 14, 1997. California, San Bernardino. 20. Newspapers.com. February 1, 2016.
    3. News: Lowrance. Dee. They're Not Daffy -- JustDanceDizzy. The Montana Standard. April 5, 1942. Montana, Butte. 26. Newspapers.com. February 1, 2016.
    4. News: Corby. Jane. Screen. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. March 30, 1944. New York, Brooklyn. 16. Newspapers.com. February 1, 2016.
    5. News: Daily Variety. 2. Hollywood Inside. December 8, 1941.
    6. "Up From Westerns!: LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD WITH HEDDA HOPPER", Chicago Daily Tribune, March 12, 1944, p. C4.
    7. Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide, third edition, p. 719.
    8. Web site: Marjorie Reynolds biography – American actress Encyclopedia Britannica . www.britannica.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150217003433/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/500829/Marjorie-Reynolds . February 17, 2015.
    9. News: Marjorie Reynolds, Film Star, to Appear at Ritz. The San Bernardino County Sun . The San Bernardino County Sun. August 29, 1939. California, San Bernardino. 9. Newspapers.com. February 1, 2016.
    10. News: Marjorie Reynolds Sues for Divorce. Panama City News-Herald . Panama City News-Herald. April 6, 1952. Florida, Panama City. 23. Newspapers.com. February 1, 2016.
    11. News: Marjorie Reynolds Weds Film Editor. The Sedalia Democrat . The Sedalia Democrat. May 18, 1953. Missouri, Sedalia. 11. Newspapers.com. February 1, 2016.
    12. News: Vosburgh. Dick. Obituary: Marjorie Reynolds. February 2, 2016. Independent. February 14, 1997.
    13. Web site: Marjorie Reynolds. Hollywood Walk of Fame. February 2, 2016.
    14. Web site: Wine, Women and Song. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    15. Hischak (2008), p. 621
    16. Web site: College Holiday. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    17. Web site: Murder in Greenwich Village. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    18. Web site: Tex Rides with the Boy Scouts. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    19. Web site: Western Trails. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    20. Web site: Delinquent Parents. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    21. Web site: Rebellious Daughters. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    22. Web site: Six Shootin' Sheriff. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2014.
    23. Web site: The Overland Express. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    24. Web site: The Black Bandit. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    25. Web site: Guilty Trails. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    26. Web site: Man's Country. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    27. Bridges (1998)
    28. Web site: Mr. Wong in Chinatown. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    29. Web site: Streets of New York. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    30. Web site: Sky Patrol. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    31. Web site: Racketeers of the Range. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    32. Web site: Danger Flight. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    33. Web site: Mystery Plane. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    34. Web site: Stunt Pilot. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    35. Web site: The Phantom Stage. AFI Catalog of Feature films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    36. Web site: Timber Stampede. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    37. Web site: The Fatal Hour. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    38. Web site: Doomed to Die. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    39. Web site: Midnight Limited. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    40. Web site: Chasing Trouble. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    41. Web site: Up in the Air. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    42. Web site: Enemy Agent. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 25, 2015.
    43. Web site: Cyclone on Horseback. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    44. Web site: Dude Cowboy. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    45. Web site: The Great Swindle. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2014.
    46. Web site: Robin Hood of the Pecos. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    47. Web site: Secret Evidence. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    48. Web site: Tillie the Toiler. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    49. Web site: Top Sergeant Mulligan. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    50. Web site: Law of the Timber. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    51. Web site: Holiday Inn. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    52. Web site: Dixie. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    53. Web site: Star Spangled Rhythm. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    54. Web site: Ministry of Fear. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    55. Web site: 3 Is a Family. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    56. Web site: Up in Mabel's Room. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    57. Web site: Bring on the Girls. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    58. Web site: Duffy's Tavern. AFI Catalog of Features Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    59. Web site: Meet Me on Broadway. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    60. Web site: Monsieur Beaucaire. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    61. Web site: The Time of Their Lives. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    62. Web site: Heaven Only Knows. AFI Catalog of Featured Films. AFI. February 15, 2014.
    63. Web site: Bad Men of Tombstone. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    64. Web site: That Midnight Kiss. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    65. Web site: Customs Agent. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    66. Web site: The Great Jewel Robber. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    67. Web site: Rookie Fireman. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    68. Web site: His Kind of Woman. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    69. Web site: Home Town Story. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    70. Web site: Models Inc.. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    71. Web site: No Holds Barred. AFI Catalog of Featured Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    72. Web site: Mobs, Inc.. https://web.archive.org/web/20150217170833/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b74633d10. dead. February 17, 2015. BFI. February 17, 2015.
    73. Web site: Juke Box Rhythm. AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    74. Web site: The Silent Witness (1962). AFI Catalog of Feature Films. AFI. February 15, 2015.
    75. Monush (1965), p. 633
    76. Brooks, Marsh (2007), p. 625
    77. Web site: Peace and Quiet. https://web.archive.org/web/20150217165653/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b7b9e3a77. dead. February 17, 2015. BFI. February 17, 2015.
    78. Web site: The Last Battleground. https://web.archive.org/web/20150217164738/http://explore.bfi.org.uk/4ce2b737527d5. dead. February 17, 2015. BFI. February 17, 2015.
    79. Terrace (1985), p.321