Marjorie Reynolds

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, in which she and Bing Crosby introduced the song "White Christmas" in a duet, albeit with her singing dubbed by Martha Mears.

Early life Reynolds was born Marjorie Goodspeed in Buhl, Idaho, the daughter of a doctor and his wife. She began to take dancing lessons at age 4. She attended Los Angeles High School.

Career Beginning at age 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

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

Death Reynolds died of congestive heart disease in Manhattan Beach, California, on February 1, 1997, having collapsed while walking her dog. She was 79 years old.

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

Acting credits Film

YearTitle RoleDirectorProducerStudio/Distributor Other cast members Refs.1923Child (uncredited) B. P. Shulberg Productions, Preferred Pictures, Exclusivité Equitable FilmsKenneth Harlan, Miriam Cooper College Humor(uncredited)William LeBaron Bing Crosby, Jack Oakie, Richard Arlen, Mary Carlisle 1936(uncredited)Adolph ZukorParamount PicturesJack BennyThree Cheers for Love (Uncredited)Adolph ZukorParamount PicturesRobert Cummings, Eleanore WhitneyCollege HolidayStudent (uncredited) William LeBaron, Harlan Thompson ParamountJack Benny, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Martha Raye Dancing Pirate(Uncredited)Merian C. CooperRKO PicturesRita Hayworth, Frank Morgan, Charles Collins1937Murder in Greenwich VillageMolly MurphyIrving BriskinColumbia PicturesRichard Arlen, Fay Wray Tex Rides with the Boy ScoutsNorma WillisEdward L. AlpersonGrand National Films Inc.Tex Ritter, Philip Ahn 1938Western TrailsAlicePaul MalvernUniversal PicturesBob Baker Delinquent ParentsEdythe Ellis as a young womanBen N. JudellState RightsDoris Weston Rebellious DaughtersClaireBen N. JudellState RightsVerna Hillie Six Shootin' SheriffMolly MorganMax AlexanderGrand National Films Inc.Ken Maynard Jean GreeleyL. G. LeonardColumbia PicturesBuck Jones Jane AllenTrem CarrUniversal PicturesBob Baker Guilty TrailsJackieTrem CarrUniversal PicturesBob Baker Man's CountryMadge CraneRobert TanseyMonogram PicturesJack Randall 1939Gone with the Wind(uncredited)David O. SelznickMetro-Goldwyn-MayerVivien Leigh Mr. Wong in ChinatownBobby LoganWilliam T. LackeyMonogram PicturesBoris Karloff, Grant Withers Streets of New YorkAnne CarrollScott R. DunlapMonagram PicturesJackie Cooper Sky PatrolBetty Lou BarnesPaul MalvernMonogram PicturesJackie Coogan, Milburn Stone, Jason Robards Sr. Racketeers of the RangeHelen LewisBert GilroyRKO Radio PicturesGeorge O'Brien, Chill Wills Danger Flight Betty LouPaul MalvernMonogram PicturesMilburn Stone, Jacon Robards Sr. Mystery Plane Betty LouPaul MalvernMonogram PicturesMilburn Stone, Jason Robards Sr. Stunt Pilot Betty LouPaul MalvernMonogram PicturesMilburn Stone, Jason Robards Sr. MaryTrem CarrUniversal PicturesBob Baker Timber StampedeAnne CarrBert GilroyRKO Radio PicturesChill Wills 1940Bobby LoganWilliam T. LackeyMonogram PicturesBoris Karloff, Grant Withers Doomed to DieBobby LoganWilliam T. LackeyMonogram PicturesBoris Karloff, Grant Withers Midnight LimitedJoan MarshallT. R. WilliamsMonogram PicturesJohn 'Dusty' King Chasing TroubleSusieGrant WithersMonogram PicturesFrankie Darro, Mantan Moreland, Milburn Stone Up in the AirAnne MasonLindsley ParsonsMonogram PicturesFrankie Darro, Mantan Moreland Enemy AgentPeggy O'ReillyBen PivarUniversal PicturesRichard Cromwell, Helen Vinson, Robert Armstrong 1941Cyclone on HorsebackMary CorbinBert GilroyRKO Radio PicturesTim Holt Dude CowboyBarbara AdamsBert GilroyRKO Radio PicturesTim Holt Margaret SwannLarry DarmourColumbia PicturesJack Holt Robin Hood of the PecosJeanie GraysonJoseph Kane Republic PicturesRoy Rogers, George "Gabby" Hayes Secret EvidenceLinda WilsonE.B. DerrProducers Releasing CorporationCharles Quigley Tillie the ToilerBubblesRobert SparksColumbia PicturesWilliam Tracy, Sylvia Field Top Sergeant MulliganGail NashLindsley ParsonsMonogram PicturesNat Pendleton, Carol Hughes, Sterling Holloway Law of the TimberPerry LorimarBernard B. RayProducers Releasing CorporationMonte Blue, J. Farrell MacDonald 1942Holiday InnLinda Mason Mark SandrichParamount PicturesBing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Virginia Dale 1943DixieJean MasonPaul JonesParamount PicturesBing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour, Billy De Wolfe, Clara Blandick, Eddie Foy, Jr. Star Spangled RhythmHerselfJoseph SistromParamount PicturesBing Crosby, Bob Hope, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Mary Martin, Veronica Lake 1944Ministry of FearCarla HilfeBuddy G. DeSylvaParamount PicturesRay Milland, Carl Esmond, Hillary Brooke 3 Is a FamilyKitty MitchellSol LesserUnited ArtistsCharles Ruggles, Fay Bainter, Hattie McDaniel, Arthur Lake Up in Mabel's RoomGeraldine Ainsworth Edward SmallUnited ArtistsCharlotte Greenwood, Gail Patrick, Dennis O'Keefe 1945Bring on the GirlsSue Thomas Fred KohlmarParamount PicturesEddie Bracken, Veronica Lake Duffy's TavernPeggy O'MalleyDanny DareParamount PicturesBing Crosby 1946Meet Me on BroadwayAnn StallingsBurt KellyColumbia PicturesFred Brady Monsieur BeaucairePrincess Maria of SpainPaul JonesParamount PicturesBob Hope Melody AllenVal BurtonUniversal PicturesBud Abbott, Lou Costello, Gale Sondergaard 1947Heaven Only KnowsGingerSeymour NebenzalUnited ArtistsRobert Cummings, Brian Donlevy 1949Bad Men of TombstoneJulieMaurice KingKing Brothers ProductionsBarry Sullivan, Broderick Crawford That Midnight KissMaryJoe PasternakMetro-Goldwyn-MayerMario Lanza, Kathryn Grayson 1950 Customs AgentLucille Gerrard Rudolph FlothowColumbia PicturesBenson Fong, William Eythe Martha RollinsBryan FoyWarner Bros.John Archer, David Brian Rookie FiremanMargie Williams Milton FeldmanColumbia PicturesBill Williams, Barton MacLane 1951His Kind of WomanHelen CardiganRobert SparksRKO PicturesRobert Mitchum, Jane Russell, Vincent Price Home Town StoryJanice HuntArthur PiersonMetro-Goldwyn-MayerJeffrey Lynn, Donald Crisp, Alan Hale, Jr. 1952Models Inc.Peggy HowardJack DietzMutual Pictures CorporationHoward Duff, Coleen Gray No Holds BarredRhonda NelsonJerry ThomasMonogram PicturesLeo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, David Gorcey, Bernard Gorcey 1956Mobs, Inc.Mary Hale Browne (archive footage)Reed Hadley 1959Juke Box RhythmMartha MantonSam KatzmanColumbia PicturesJo Morrow, Jack Jones, Brian Donlevy 1962MaryKen KennedyEmerson Film Enterprises Inc.George Kennedy

Television