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,Profile, infoplease.com; accessed June 23, 2014. 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 acted under the names Marjorie Goodspeed and Marjorie Moore. When she was three 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). 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.

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)."Up From Westerns!: LOOKING AT HOLLYWOOD WITH HEDDA HOPPER", Chicago Daily Tribune, March 12, 1944, p. C4. 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."Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide, third edition, p. 719. 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 ScaramoucheBit part (uncredited)Rex IngramMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Ramon Novarro, Alice Terry, Lewis StoneTrilbyWaif (uncredited)Richard Walton TullyAssociated First National PicturesAndrée Lafayette, Creighton Hale1924 RevelationChild (uncredited)George D. BakerMetro-Goldwyn-MayerViola Dana, Monte Blue, Lew Cody1933Wine, Women and SongMarilyn Arnette (credited as Marjorie Moore)I. E. ChadwickState RightsLilyan Tashman, Lew CodyCollege Humor(uncredited)William LeBaron Bing Crosby, Jack Oakie, Richard Arlen, Mary Carlisle1935Collegiate(uncredited)Ralph MurphyAdolph ZukorParamount PicturesJack OakieHischak (2008), p. 6211936(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 RayeDancing Pirate(Uncredited)Merian C. CooperRKO PicturesRita Hayworth, Frank Morgan, Charles Collins1937Murder in Greenwich VillageMolly MurphyIrving BriskinColumbia PicturesRichard Arlen, Fay WrayTex Rides with the Boy ScoutsNorma WillisEdward L. AlpersonGrand National Films Inc.Tex Ritter, Philip Ahn1938Western TrailsAlicePaul MalvernUniversal PicturesBob BakerDelinquent ParentsEdythe Ellis as a young womanBen N. JudellState RightsDoris WestonRebellious DaughtersClaireBen N. JudellState RightsVerna HillieSix Shootin' SheriffMolly MorganMax AlexanderGrand National Films Inc.Ken MaynardJean GreeleyL. G. LeonardColumbia PicturesBuck JonesJane AllenTrem CarrUniversal PicturesBob BakerGuilty TrailsJackieTrem CarrUniversal PicturesBob BakerMan's CountryMadge CraneRobert TanseyMonogram PicturesJack Randall1939Gone with the Wind(uncredited)David O. SelznickMetro-Goldwyn-MayerVivien LeighBridges (1998)Mr. Wong in ChinatownBobby LoganWilliam T. LackeyMonogram PicturesBoris Karloff, Grant WithersStreets of New YorkAnne CarrollScott R. DunlapMonagram PicturesJackie CooperSky PatrolBetty Lou BarnesPaul MalvernMonogram PicturesJackie Coogan, Milburn Stone, Jason Robards Sr.Racketeers of the RangeHelen LewisBert GilroyRKO Radio PicturesGeorge O'Brien, Chill WillsDanger 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 BakerTimber StampedeAnne CarrBert GilroyRKO Radio PicturesChill Wills1940Bobby LoganWilliam T. LackeyMonogram PicturesBoris Karloff, Grant WithersDoomed to DieBobby LoganWilliam T. LackeyMonogram PicturesBoris Karloff, Grant WithersMidnight LimitedJoan MarshallT. R. WilliamsMonogram PicturesJohn 'Dusty' KingChasing TroubleSusieGrant WithersMonogram PicturesFrankie Darro, Mantan Moreland, Milburn StoneUp in the AirAnne MasonLindsley ParsonsMonogram PicturesFrankie Darro, Mantan MorelandEnemy AgentPeggy O'ReillyBen PivarUniversal PicturesRichard Cromwell, Helen Vinson, Robert Armstrong1941Cyclone on HorsebackMary CorbinBert GilroyRKO Radio PicturesTim HoltDude CowboyBarbara AdamsBert GilroyRKO Radio PicturesTim HoltMargaret SwannLarry DarmourColumbia PicturesJack HoltRobin Hood of the PecosJeanie GraysonJoseph Kane Republic PicturesRoy Rogers, George "Gabby" HayesSecret EvidenceLinda WilsonE.B. DerrProducers Releasing CorporationCharles QuigleyTillie the ToilerBubblesRobert SparksColumbia PicturesWilliam Tracy, Sylvia FieldTop Sergeant MulliganGail NashLindsley ParsonsMonogram PicturesNat Pendleton, Carol Hughes, Sterling HollowayLaw of the TimberPerry LorimarBernard B. RayProducers Releasing CorporationMonte Blue, J. Farrell MacDonald1942Holiday InnLinda Mason Mark SandrichParamount PicturesBing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Virginia Dale1943DixieJean 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 Lake1944Ministry of FearCarla HilfeBuddy G. DeSylvaParamount PicturesRay Milland, Carl Esmond, Hillary Brooke3 Is a FamilyKitty MitchellSol LesserUnited ArtistsCharles Ruggles, Fay Bainter, Hattie McDaniel, Arthur LakeUp in Mabel's RoomGeraldine Ainsworth Edward SmallUnited ArtistsCharlotte Greenwood, Gail Patrick, Dennis O'Keefe1945Bring on the GirlsSue Thomas Fred KohlmarParamount PicturesEddie Bracken, Veronica LakeDuffy's TavernPeggy O'MalleyDanny DareParamount PicturesBing Crosby1946Meet Me on BroadwayAnn StallingsBurt KellyColumbia PicturesFred BradyMonsieur BeaucairePrincess Maria of SpainPaul JonesParamount PicturesBob HopeMelody AllenVal BurtonUniversal PicturesBud Abbott, Lou Costello, Gale Sondergaard1947Heaven Only KnowsGingerSeymour NebenzalUnited ArtistsRobert Cummings, Brian Donlevy1949Bad Men of TombstoneJulieMaurice KingKing Brothers ProductionsBarry Sullivan, Broderick Crawford That Midnight KissMaryJoe PasternakMetro-Goldwyn-MayerMario Lanza, Kathryn Grayson1950 Customs AgentLucille Gerrard Rudolph FlothowColumbia PicturesBenson Fong, William EytheMartha RollinsBryan FoyWarner Bros.John Archer, David Brian Rookie FiremanMargie Williams Milton FeldmanColumbia PicturesBill Williams, Barton MacLane1951His Kind of WomanHelen CardiganRobert SparksRKO PicturesRobert Mitchum, Jane Russell, Vincent PriceHome Town StoryJanice HuntArthur PiersonMetro-Goldwyn-MayerJeffrey Lynn, Donald Crisp, Alan Hale, Jr.1952Models Inc.Peggy HowardJack DietzMutual Pictures CorporationHoward Duff, Coleen GrayNo Holds BarredRhonda NelsonJerry ThomasMonogram PicturesLeo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, David Gorcey, Bernard Gorcey1956Mobs, Inc.Mary Hale Browne (archive footage)Reed Hadley1959Juke Box RhythmMartha MantonSam KatzmanColumbia PicturesJo Morrow, Jack Jones, Brian Donlevy1962MaryKen KennedyEmerson Film Enterprises Inc.George Kennedy

Television YearTitle Role Episode Refs. 1949Hands of MysterySecret Life of a Killer 1951 A Case of MarriageMonush (1965), p. 633Hollywood Theatre TimeSally SandersThe SpectreBrooks, Marsh (2007), p. 625Racket SquadThe Fabulous Mr. JamesGruen Guild TheaterThe Luckiest Guy in the WorldGruen Guild TheaterPeril in the House 1952The BlondeThe Slide Rule Blonde 1953 NursePeace and Quiet 1955 Louise MalcolmThe Fred Malcolm Story 1953–1958Peg Riley76 episodes 1960 Barbara's MotherMillionaire Dixon Cooper Shirley Temple's StorybookBettyEmmy LouLeave It to BeaverMrs. MurdockChuckie's New Shoes 1961 Whispering SmithBaby Doll HarrisThe Idol Surfside 6Mrs. PhelpsLittle Star Lost 1962Tales of Wells FargoHelen MapesDon't Wake a TigerAlcoa PremiereEleanorThe Cake BakerLeave It to BeaverMrs. MurdockBeaver the BabysitterOur Man HigginsDodie BannisterThe Three Faces of Higgins 1963LaramieMrs. ShermanThe Last Battleground Leave It to BeaverMildred GregoryThe All-Night PartyWide CountryKaty BlaufusThe Quest for Jacob Blaufus Our Man HigginsDodie BannisterBlack Thursday Our Man HigginsDodie BannisterThe Milkman Cometh 1969Annie ButterworthLove Comes to Annie Butterworth 1978Pearl Nurse #3Terrace (1985), p.321

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