Man, she was beautiful. Suprised she didn't become a bigger star. Anyone thinks she looks like Katherine Heigel?
shareWow, you're right! Diane Keaton (with her wide-spaced eyes) always reminded me of Marjorie a little, but Katherine's resemblance is even stronger.
shareShe does look like Katherine Heigel! I can't remember her in anything else, maye a Shirley Temple movie?
shareTwo of Marjorie's best movies (besides "Holiday Inn") are Ministry of Fear by Graham Greene, directed by Fritz Lang and co-starring Ray Milland and The Time of Their Lives, one of the best Abbot & Costello features.
"Fortunately, I keep my feathers numbered for just such an emergency."
I first saw her as Chester Riley's wife in the television series, The Life of Riley, in 1953-1958, co-starring with William Bendix. Later, I learned she was in movies. When I saw her in Holiday Inn, I was surprised that she had been a blonde.
She was good in the parts I've seen her play, but I don't know if she was ever in a lead role.
FYI, she appeared in a couple of episodes of "Leave it to Beaver" in the late 50's or early 60's. She looked very different-short brunette hair and more middle-aged.
"I told you a million times not to talk to me when I'm doing my lashes"!
I was just saying this the other day. She totally looks like Katherine Heigel!
What's funny about Marjorie Reynolds' part in HOLIDAY INN is that she's so ambitious, almost to an extreme (which is unusual for an ingenue). She forces herself onto the manager (played by Walter Abel), lies to Jim ("Why, I'm Linda Mason") and pretends to know Ted Hanover. Still, she's endearing which is a tribute to her acting.
However, I think Virginia Dale is the superior dancer based on "You're Easy To Dance With." Dale and Astaire become almost one in that routine. I think it's as good or better than anything he did with Ginger Rogers.
It is surprising she didn't do more light comedy like this in post-war films. She evidently was considered a "B" movie actor and was never up for any quality roles. But she certainly was very good in "HI" as Linda.
"He sent the rain."
"Who sent the fire?"
Hello, again, wrfarley (not stalking you, really...just happened to check the other threads on the board and noticed your comments about Dale).
Where Reynolds seemed to be more of a passive, adagio-type partner, Dale was clearly more of a tapper, and provided that...oh, what would the term be...shall we say, "competitive resistance" that Rogers did. "You're Easy To Dance With" is probably my favorite number in the film, not only because of the chemistry Dale and Astaire have "on the floor," but for its sophisticated simplicity (which is, in itself, deceptive), yet fun, bouncy accessibility. It's also one of the few examples of Astaire's vocal being integrated into the body of the main dance (something which, in a true, live nightclub setting, could be problematic).
Poe! You are...avenged!
Good points about the singing/dancing component in the dance (there goes that post-synching problem again.
Everybody knows the famous line that Ginger Rogers "did everything Fred Astaire did except backwards and in high heels." Well, I can think of a dozen female dancers Astaire danced with and he was still Astaire. Can't name one Ginger Rogers male partner she danced with before or after.
I think you're right about Rogers. Aside from BARKLEYS, I think the only musical she made in her post-RKO years was LADY IN THE DARK. I remember brief dance vignettes in BACHELOR MOTHER and ROXIE HART, but no male partners of any note.
And you know, until you pointed that out, I don't think I ever realized it. Of course, Rogers was an actress, who also danced and sang, while Astaire was a dancer and singer, who also acted. In spite of how Rogers probably wanted to be remembered, I think it would have been interesting to see how she would have been with another strong male partner, if only once. Even if she'd undertaken such a thing, however, her choices would have been limited.
Poe! You are...avenged!
You're right about the difference between Astaire and Rogers. Of course, in those days, actors were expected to be skilled in various disciplines. The fact that Astaire became a "serious" actor later in life (as did Gene Kelly) is a tribute to his range. Of course, Ginger won an Oscar in 1940, but as you wrote, she's more an actress who also sang and danced.
Underrated, I think is somebody like Brando, who didn't come up in the studio system, but, of course, was a great actor, didn't shame himself too badly as a singer/dancer in GUYS AND DOLLS, could do things like ride a horse very fast, look great in a fistfight and even ice-skated in THE FRESHMAN.
Well, not many like Brando, are there? The things you mention really speak to the dedication required of a truly great actor. I've heard Johnny Depp talk about how unglued he felt playing a one-on-one scene with Brando, and how patient and helpful he was.
Although he came along before the "method" was even invented, I think, I've always considered Edward G. Robinson sort of the Brando of his day...so versatile and, particularly from the 40's on, so understated. But if someone asked me who the quintessential film actor was, I'd give it to Spencer Tracy.
Poe! You are...avenged!
Yeah, Eddie Robinson was phenomenal (my favorite performance of his is Keyes in DOUBLE INDEMNITY). Brando, however, contended his model was Paul Muni. Tracy I loved. And Walter Huston, too.
shareIt makes sense Brando would have admired Muni. Although I'd give Brando points for subtlety that Muni never achieved; I generally found his performances a bit over-cooked.
However, I did recently see Muni's final film, THE LAST ANGRY MAN, and it was the best work I ever saw him do (poor David Wayne was quite out-classed). Was also surprised to see such a young Billy Dee Williams in that; I hadn't known he was doing film work so early.
Poe! You are...avenged!
Yeah, I know that movie. Muni plays a doctor. Do love the film, I AM A FUGITIVE FROM THE CHAIN GANG.
sharere your description of her character being "...so ambitious...", I think her show of "ambition" is wonderfully resolved (at least temporarily), when Bing falls off the roof and lands on top of her in the snow. What she says to him about one of them being a "phony", etc., and then she asks him if he is alright, is so beautifully spoken, it's a wonderful contrast to what you point out. Regards, mustangp51b
share"lies to Jim("Why, I'm Linda Mason)"
She is Linda Mason.
I thought "she is beautiful". Then when I found out she is Margerie Reynolds, Peg from "Riley" it's a shock! An ugly mug like Riley would never have landed a cutie like Peg. Though as she got older she did start to look her age.
shareShe is certainly pretty,but definitely no dancer.Fred does all of the dancing of any consequence. A friend of mine doesn't think that she was much of an actress either. Apparently she got the part because she was Bing Crosby's girl friend at the time,and he insisted that she be given the part.Ginger Rogers would certainly have been interesting in the role.Virginia Dale was the trained dancer,and it shows.
shareMargorie Reynolds was a dancer. Your friend is wrong--she was also a good actress. She was not, however, Bing Crosby's girlfriend. Gad, what a lot of baloney shows up here!
Nothing would surprise me when it comes to Bing. Having said that, she is beguiling in this and "Time Of Their Lives
shareIf Marjorie was somebody's girlfriend, it wasn't Bing. She is on record in interviews later in life as saying that she did not really like Bing and he was difficult to work with, although these issues did not affect the film in any way.
sharewhen I first saw her that is what I thought immediately. Katherine Heigle and Majorie look so much alike.
share