MovieChat Forums > Holiday Inn (1942) Discussion > How did Marjorie Reynolds get the part o...

How did Marjorie Reynolds get the part of 'Linda Mason' ?

posted 18 years ago by classic_movies_fan
16 replies | jump to latest

Don't get me wrong, I thought Marjorie Reynolds performed her role as Linda Mason very well in the movie! I know she didn't sing, her voice was dubbed, and for her dancing, from reading other threads somebody else danced for her. But overall she gave a strong performance against the biggest stars Bing and Fred. After seeing her as Linda Mason, I can not imagine anyone else in that role. I read somewhere that the role was intended for Ginger Rogers? Was that correct? So how did Marjorie get that role? she can't sing and can't dance??

[–] liscarkat 17 years ago

Nobody danced for Marjorie Reynolds. Any such claim is a load. The only proof needed is to carefully watch the movie, but to corroborate it, Fred Astaire stated in his autobiography that he danced with her in the movie.

[–] kga58 17 years ago

The commentary on the new dvd release speaks of how she held her own with Astaire as his partner. It doesn't mention anything about a dance double. I just assumed the poster in the other thread was telling the truth, but now I don't know. In watching the dance numbers more carefully it certainly looks like Reynolds. It also said she could sing, but they decided to dub her with a "more experienced" singer. I don't know if that's a euphemistic way of saying her vocal talent wasn't impressive or what. No matter. I still enjoy her beauty and personality. It would have been interesting and a very different film had Ginger and Rita Hayworth played the female leads as was originally planned.

[–] schoduck 17 years ago

I don't care if Margie Reynolds voice was dubbed. Still love her to death and I too can't imagine anyone else in the role either! She was a very talented and humble person as well. And very funny too. I guess I'm just one of a few that remember her on the "The Life of Riley". Another role of hers that tickles me is Margie in "Ministry of Fear" with Ray Milland. I think Margie is supposed to be European but her Brooklyn accent comes right thru.

"Out of 10 people, half understand binary and half don't!"

[–] kga58 17 years ago

I have to say I was disappointed that she didn't do her own singing, but I have to agree with you. I've always loved her sparkle as Linda Mason. I've never seen LIFE OF RILEY, but did catch her in an episode of LEAVE IT TO BEAVER. She looked very different as an older brunette.

[–] classic_movies_fan 17 years ago

Thank you for clearing up the matter that Marjorie did do her own dancing in Holiday Inn!!! I watched it again last night and it was certainly her who was dancing with Fred. No, I never seen her in The Life of Riley, but I did see her in Ministry of Fear with RAY MILLAND!! Again she gave a very good performance opposite Ray Milland, I do agree her accent in that movie was very odd. I think she's suppose to have an Austrian accent but it sure didn't sound like it.
As for the other post comparing Vera Ellen to Linda Mason and Lila Dixon dancing in Holiday Inn and White Christmas, that's like comparing apple and oranges!! Vera Ellen was very well known for her dancing and acting, and as for Marjorie that was her first starring role in a musical movie. I don't think that was fair comparing Marjorie to Vera Ellen.

[–] mwmtampa 16 years ago

Or for that matter, whose dancing in "White Christmas" can be compared to Fred Astaire's in "Holiday Inn"? Not that I'm diminishing White Christmas as I really enjoyed that as well and rank it as one of the all time Holiday flicks, but my numero uno is the incomparable Holiday Inn. There's just something very special about it.

[–] wrfarley 16 years ago

For all this talk about Marjorie Reynolds, Virginia Dale blows her socks off when it comes to dancing. Just look at "It's So Easy To Dance With You" to see Dale strut her stuff.

[–] mwmtampa 16 years ago

Possibly, but she did not have the charisma that Marjorie had in that movie which was quite obvious. They were both well cast.

[–] jenci838 16 years ago

Wow, I have always thought the exact opposite. Virginia Dale looked like she was just along for the ride next to Fred Astaire and never impressed me at all. Granted, it's hard to be impressive when you're dancing next to Fred Astaire--but Marjorie Reynolds at least held her own. She looked like she actual played some role in the dance, instead of just being dragged around by Astaire. He was just so absurdly good though, what can you do?

[–] mwmtampa 16 years ago

Well I certainly don't disagree with your comments. While they both performed great in their roles, it was obvious that Marjorie was the female star of the movie on many levels.

[–] mgconlan-1 16 years ago

The story is so well known I'm surprised nobody has posted it yet. The role of Linda Mason was originally intended for Mary Martin, who COULD sing and dance and had already done two films with Bing Crosby, "Rhythm on the River" and "Birth of the Blues." But she got pregnant just before the film was scheduled to shoot and Marjorie Reynolds was the only person immediately available who came cheaply enough to fit the film's budget. (With the star salaries Paramount was already paying Crosby and Astaire, a third major "name" like Ginger Rogers would have totally blown the budget even if she'd been available, which she wasn't; she was still under contract to RKO and they were keeping her busy. Also, nobody would have believed Ginger Rogers ending up with Crosby rather than Astaire at the finish.) Incidentally, Mary Martin's baby grew up to be "Dallas" star Larry Hagman.

[–] cnb 16 years ago

Actually Larry Hagman was born in 1931, so it must have been his brother or sister who caused the withdrawal of his mom from the part.

I also understand that Joan Leslie was considered for one of the roles, and at that stage met and danced a little bit with Fred Astaire (she was just 16--I would have been petrified!). She always looked a little older than her true age, and he liked her as a partner, but Warner Brothers had other plans for her (Yankee Doodle Dandy) and wouldn't lend her out.

[–] mgconlan-1 16 years ago

I stand corrected RE Larry Hagman. It's ironic that Joan Leslie was considered for a part in "Holiday Inn" since she DID make a film with Fred Astaire, "The Sky's the Limit," just a year later -- and she did just fine, especially in the patter number in which he asks her, "Where's Cagney?" and she fires back, "Where's Hayworth?"

[–] cnb 16 years ago

Love, love, LOVE "The Sky's the Limit." I'm constantly trying to get people to watch it, as I think it is deeper than is apparent on the surface, and Astaire and Leslie are very natural in their acting together.

[–] kevintdoherty 16 years ago

Mary Martin was originally set to take the part, after being Bing's leading lady in Rhythm on the River and Birth of the Blues, but for some reason she was unable to do it.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]