Libby

by Milt Machlin

book, used biography

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, True Crime

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Milt Machlin was an American journalist, author and adventurer. He is best known for coining the phrases "Bermuda Triangle" and "Abominable Snowman," as well as his expedition to find scion Michael Rockefeller, who disappeared in New Guinea in 1961. He served in the Pacific theater during World War II. He graduated from Brown University and attended the Sorbonne, studying in the Coeur de Civilization. He was the editor of Argosy magazine and the author of numerous books, fiction and nonfiction, including Ninth Life, Libby, The Search For Michael Rockefeller, Joshua's Altar; The Dig at Mount Ebal, Atlanta, Pipeline, The Worldshakers, Strangers in the Land, Gossip Wars, and The Family Man, also with Robin Moore. He received an Edgar Allen Poe Special Award from the Mystery Writers of America for The Set Up. Machlin was a native of New York City; he died April 3, 2004

Reviews

[Sketchbook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Libby Holman and the American Dream--.

"Ow - how could he do this to me?" wept Libby after her 2d husband killed himself in 1945. She had good reason to be stricken. The unresolved death of her first husband - 20 year old tobacco heir Smith Reynolds, in 1932 - was the biggest front-pager since the Lindbergh kidnapping. Libby was now tabbed the black widow/spider woman.

Who was this so-called femme fatale?

A smart, sassy babe from Ohio who was soft for handsome, vulnerable men (when not bedding same-sex), her dream of Broadway stardom came true in 3 revues. She intro'd the classic torch song, "Body & Soul." Of modest talent and scant looks (see YT), she was sexy and had a dominating presence. Stagedoor johnny Smith Reynolds followed her everywhere. Fantastically rich, he was a spoiled kid with mentl-sexio issues - a drama queen - who'd whine, I'm going to kill myself!

At the time, Libby, 6 yrs older than Reynolds, was having a luxe romance w DuPont heiress Louisa Carpenter. Smith offered a new role, a double role: Bwy chanteuse and chatelaine of the manor. Problem: he wanted her entire attention.

In a pervo moment - we all have 'em - Libby married him. Within days she was bored stiff on his estate in North Carolina. To amuse herself she invited Bwy pals (Bea Lillie, Clifton Webb) for visits. They too were bored and fled. Anyway, Smithy didn't like em: "They're all queer!" he screeched. So...Libby and Smithy fought a lot and drank a lot. Maybe Libby had some stronger "stuff" like cocaine around, author Machlin wonders.

After a July 1932 party, six mos into this comic-opera marriage, a gun went off in their bedroom. Smith was shot in the head and bleeding all over the place. Libby had "blacked out," she testified. She couldn't remember anything. Her memory loss was destined to become a plot fixture in 5,000 Hollywood pix. Libby, at the inquest : "The last thing I remember, and it is just a flash, is hearing my name called and looking up and seeing Smith with the revolver at his head, and then a shot, and after that I don't remember anything."

(My scenario : tired of hearing Smith blub that he'd kill himself, a smashed Libby gurgled, "Yew, pissy-sissy, do it," and he did).

Faithful Louisa Carpenter rushed to Libby's side with DuPont power. The Reynolds family asked that the potential murder case ag Libby be dropped, but not before the local & national press turned anti-Semitic: Libby was no longer "a singer," she was in the press "..a Jewish singer.." Shortly the world learned that Libby was preggers.

Author Machlin puts Libby in bed w Jeanne Eagels, Josephine Baker and Tallulah, among others -- without sources. Later a special friend was writer Jane Bowles, and Libby financed a production of her play, "In the Summer House." She was also an early funder of the Civil Rights Movement.

What happened with Smith Reynolds in the bedroom? To this day, no one knows. Libby's story is an American doozy. Here's a dynamic, self-centered (like all performers) personality. Otherwise, she might have realized that Smithy was a nutcase. The scandal left her a Marked Woman. Today she'd have an afternoon Talk Show.

Machlin's labored bio adds little to Jon Bradshaw's excellent "Dreams That Money Can Buy." It's interesting to read 2-3 books on same subject and compare. Shall I add a few words about Libby's adored son Christopher Reynolds ? He was killed, age 17, in a mountain-climbing accident in 1950.

Libby collapsed, then turned her focus on Monty Clift...Let's stop here and leave her to heaven.

[Fiona MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating tale of 1930s torch singer Libby Holman and her fast, madcap life in the public eye which came crashing down suddenly after she was accused of murdering her husband. Wonderful. Books like these are my very favourite.

[Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I currently work in Reynolda Village, the former RJ Reynolds estate. So, I was intrigued, as so many are, about the Z Smith death. While I'm quite certain the book takes some creative liberties that might push it beyond the nonfiction line, it was definitely entertaining! And they still don't know for sure how he died. Money and power make for the most interesting mysteries.

[Creolecat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a guilty pleasure because Libby's life and circumstances were interesting, but this is so badly written - makes me think of A.J. Benza and his type.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great biography on 30s Broadway siren, Libby Holman, and the sensational death of her first husband, an heir to a tobacco fortune - a scandal that haunted her for the rest of her life.

[ꕥ Ange_Lives_To_Read ꕥ · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF@50%

I live not far from Reynolda House museum in Winston Salem, NC. A few weeks ago I went to an absolutely fascinating exhibit there about a murder that happened in the 1920's: Smith and Libby: Two rings, seven months, one bullet Libby was a "torch singer" who married, and may or may not shortly thereafter have murdered, the heir to the Reynolds fortune.

"There is more than one way for a house to be haunted, and this story has hung over Reynolda for ninety years, at once the most tragic and infamous day in its history. Smith & Libby draws back the curtain on an event that shocked the nation and echoed down the generations, still inspiring speculation and curiosity in visitors of all ages today."

I have been to Reynolda several times and was unaware of the murder, as it was not something they highlighted before this. But now they have embraced this intriguing story and it's a doozy - the inspiration for several Hollywood movies, which were also screened at the museum. Anyway, I wanted to know more about the murder, but this book is about Libby and understandably gives WAY more detail about her life than I want, and I still haven't gotten to when she meets Smith. So it just didn't hold my interest and I'm giving up on it. There may be better books on the topic out there.

[Diane Mezzanotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This stands out as one of the more fascinating biographies I’ve read. Part mystery and true-crime, it tells the story of actress and singer Libby Holman and her tragedy-prone, scandal-filled life among the jet setting Hollywood and Southern millionaire crowds. She was the Kevin Bacon of her time—soooo many famous people knew her and show up in the story. Though sometimes a bit repetitive and sounding at times like a People magazine article, overall the book was a pleasant and intriguing read which I very much enjoyed.

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I spent a year in Winston-Salem, and among other trivia, learned that older family members were present earlier in the evening that Smith Reynolds died. How's that for morbid curiosity?

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Companion book to Body and Soul, told from another author showing Libby's life in earlier years.