Libby Holman: Body and Soul

by Hamilton Darby Perry

Tobacco heir Z. Smith Reynolds, age 20, died of a gunshot wound shortly after after his marriage to blues singer Libby Holman. This author feels it was murder, but he doesnt make a convincing case. An international story in 1932.

300 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1983

Reviews

[Sketchbook · Rating 1 out of 5]

Blanche Yurka? She was a Bwy actress who played Gertrude to Barrymore's Hamlet in 1922, although, at 35, she was younger than Barrymore. She was later a memorable Mme Defarge in the 1935 film, A Tale of Two Cities. When young Smith Reynolds died of a gunshot while briefly married to singer Libby Holman ('32), good ol Yurka was a guest in his North Carolina mansion and legals found her account the only reliable one -- she'd been asleep, but she'd been sober.

This is among 3 Libby books published within five years during 1980s. The writing is atrocious, which is the kindest thing I can say. What's more, the author ignores facts, figures, names and anything w character insight as he proceeds to smear the modestly talented Libby Holman, age 26+, who found herself married to millionaire tobacco heir, age 20, with social & sexual problems and who'd yelp, when in a snit, that he'd kill himself. His death, in which Libby and Smith's best pal, another kid named Ab Walker, were indicted for murder, made national hedlines for months. The material inspired the pic, Written on the Wind.

Author refers to the saga, always, as a "murder" involving jealousy, pride and anti-Semitic anger (Libby was Jewish). The other books say his death was an accident in which 2 others, perhaps, tried to wrestle a gun from the brat -- no one knows to this day what happened. Libby claimed she had a blackout. This author strongly suggests that Libby may have fired, which makes no sense at all.

The Reynolds family soon wanted the case dropped -- and it was. The only lines in this book that have any meaning relate to a "rich family manipulating the law to suit its needs." It's an accepted code of behavior, he writes, of the powerful..."a misguided policy" that extends "to the White House, FBI, CIA." ~~ Ok, so..? ~~ The prosecution here had no "case." The story is very contemporary and fascinates me. Also, years ago, I knew a young Reynolds in NYC but never said anything becos I'd never heard of Libby Holman. And...it would have been rude--.

If curious read: "Dreams That Money Can Buy" by Jon Bradshaw. For here's a slice of the American Dream.

[Dana S.G. Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby is an enigmatic figure who needs to be remembered, not only for what she didn't do (murder Smith Reynolds?) but for what she did do (introduce diversity into the all-white, male-dominated world of the Southeast in the 1930's. Perry brings Libby to life in full color and describes more than just the murder she was known by. A quick read with an engaging factual background, Libby is a character ideally designed for a by-the-beach relaxing or an insomniac's late night wanderings. Highly recommended!

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I have read, local history of the Z. Smith Reynolds' family. The murder of Smith, the wild lifestyle of all characters and still UNSOLVED Read many years ago and felt the urge (which is rare) t go back and re-read. Most times I only enjoy reading a book one time,

[Kate Irwin-smiler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The prose was hard to work through at times, and the story was incredibly disjointed. Fascinating topic, but not a great read.

Oh, and could the author really not find a single NC attorney to comment on the procedural aspects?

[E.J. Cullen]

One page was enough for me. Good luck to whomever can handle this stilted purple prose.