Marjorie Reynolds

Early life

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

Career

Beginning at age 6, Reynolds was a featured child actress in such silent films as Scaramouche (1923). Her first speaking role was in Murder in Greenwich Village (1937). She appeared in bit parts in numerous films including Gone with the Wind (1939).

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).

Reynolds starred with Abbott and Costello in the supernatural comedy The Time of Their Lives (1946). Her career progression was hindered by the premature death of her mentor, Mark Sandrich. She was cast in a supporting role in Mario Lanza's film debut, That Midnight Kiss (1949 film).

She later appeared in the NBC version of the television series The Life of Riley (1953–1958) and appeared on 3 episodes of the television series Leave It to Beaver (1960–1963).

Personal life

Reynolds was married to Jack Reynolds, a casting director. They 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.

Recognition

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

She is prominently featured as a character in three mystery novels by John Dandola: Dead By All Appearances, which takes place during the initial theatrical release of Holiday Inn (1942); Dead in Small Doses, which is set just prior to the release of Dixie (1943); and Dead by Happenstance, which takes place before she begins filming Up in Mabel's Room (1944).

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. She was survived by one daughter.