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Unsinkable: A Memoir – The Hollywood Legend's Definitive Story of Survival, Heartbreak, and Hope with Elizabeth Taylor
Unsinkable is the definitive memoir by film legend and Hollywood icon Debbie Reynolds. In Unsinkable , the late great actress, comedienne, singer, and dancer Debbie Reynolds shares the highs and lows of her life as an actress during Hollywood’s Golden Age, anecdotes about her lifelong friendship with Elizabeth Taylor, her experiences as the foremost collector of Hollywood memorabilia, and intimate details of her marriages and family life with her children, Carrie and Todd Fisher. A story of heartbreak, hope, and survival, “America’s Sweetheart” Debbie Reynolds picks up where she left off in her first memoir, My Life , and is illustrated with previously unpublished photos from Reynolds’s personal collection. Debbie Reynolds died on December 28, 2016, at the age of 84, just one day after the death of her daughter, actress and author Carrie Fisher.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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4407 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Reynolds
19 books76 followersDebbie Reynolds was an Oscar-nominated American actress, singer, and dancer. She was one of MGM’s principal stars of the 1950s and ’60s in such films as the 1952 classic “Singin’ in the Rain” and 1964’s “The Unsinkable Molly Brown,” for which she received an Oscar nomination as best actress. Reynolds received the SAG lifetime achievement award in January 2015.
Reynolds's first marriage, to popular singer Eddie Fisher, produced a son, Todd Fisher, and a daughter, Carrie Fisher, but ended in divorce in 1959 when Fisher fell in love with Reynolds's former (and later) friend Elizabeth Taylor. Reynolds married twice more, both ending in divorce.
On December 27, 2016, Reynolds's daughter, Carrie Fisher, died. The following day Reynolds suffered a stroke and died. Her son, Todd Fisher later said Reynolds had been seriously impacted by her daughter's death, and grief was partially responsible for her stroke, noting that his mother had stated, "I want to be with Carrie," shortly before she died.
Reynolds's first marriage, to popular singer Eddie Fisher, produced a son, Todd Fisher, and a daughter, Carrie Fisher, but ended in divorce in 1959 when Fisher fell in love with Reynolds's former (and later) friend Elizabeth Taylor. Reynolds married twice more, both ending in divorce.
On December 27, 2016, Reynolds's daughter, Carrie Fisher, died. The following day Reynolds suffered a stroke and died. Her son, Todd Fisher later said Reynolds had been seriously impacted by her daughter's death, and grief was partially responsible for her stroke, noting that his mother had stated, "I want to be with Carrie," shortly before she died.
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February 3, 2022
2.5 Stars
I read this on the immediate heels of Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking, which I really, really enjoyed. And which I described as having "wit, self-awareness, and self-deprecating sarcasm" in the best way possible.
Well, this book displayed none of those things. And actually really shed some further light on Carrie Fisher's childhood.
Not to be harsh, but Debbie Reynolds came off as being somewhat of a narcissist here.
Allow me to elaborate.
Instead of the memoir I was expecting, we got about one thousand million pages of her endlessly extrapolating upon the vile creature that was her third husband. Now, no matter how much he might deserve it, Debbie was met with numerous red flags before tying the knot with this loser. And yet, she somehow manages to acknowledge these red flags in hindsight, whilst simultaneously taking none of theblame accountability for ignoring them at the time.
In fact, that seemed to be one of the main themes of the memoir and Debbie's life: nothing was ever her fault. And, while titled "Unsinkable" as a metaphor for both her self-proclaimed perseverance and as a tie to one of her more serious "young actress" roles as Molly Brown, I must say...anyone can "persevere" when they admittedly run to work to avoid their problems (and simultaneously be fed with audience adulation), demand that other people handle their problems, and/or borrow TONS of money from the bank and all their rich friends to pay for their problems.
I was going to cite exact quotes from the book illustrating that second above mentioned "coping" skill, as there are numerous examples of how, right after a crisis, Debbie says something like, "so I decided to go to Hawaii on vacation instead of dealing with it," or "I miscarried a stillborn and just made my husband take care of everything all alone because I was just too devastated," but I'm too lazy.
She also let her son Todd deal with the constant battle that was her Hollywood Museum collection.
Which brings me to...THE COLLECTION.
Holy boredom, Batman. I mean, I appreciate her desire to preserve Hollywood history, but FFS. She went on ad nauseum about this thing. Forever. And EVER.
In fact, the two most talked about topics in this book were her third husband and this collection.
Second to those things were mentions of Carrie, Todd, and a reminder that Eddie Fisher (she always referred to him as "Eddie Fisher" never just "Eddie") left her and their children for Elizabeth Taylor. I kid you not, she brought this up, referenced it, or somehow used it as a joke upwards of 50 times throughout this book. Almost like she enjoyed being the so-called "victim." I mean, I get that it must have sucked, but she seemed to allow - and want - it to define her life.
Third to all of those things was - if she wasn't rehashing how Eddie Fisher left her for Elizabeth Taylor - just talking about Elizabeth Taylor in general, name dropping every celebrity she ever met in her life, and telling weird little stories about where she was and how she was super connected to major US news events, such as the assassination of JFK and the 9/11 attacks (for that one she referenced both the attacks AND Elizabeth Taylor...also known as a two-fer).
And don't even get me started on how she basically admitted to marrying her second husband for themoney "security" he represented and holding herself up as a self-proclaimed virginal Girl Scout while later throwing shade at Jane Russell for accepting money from Howard Hughes. It just felt very mean-girl while pretending to be a sweet southern belle, if you ask me.
The latter half of the book is Debbie basically laundry-listing every movie she's ever been in accompanied by a small blurb about her memory of its filming...even if she had nothing even remotely interesting to say about it. Although, I think Debbie probably thought we would all find her just breathing to be entertaining.
Now, don't get me wrong here. My point is not to tear down Debbie Reynolds. I still love her movies and think she was probably a very nice woman. I just think she was definitely a product of being discovered by the old school movie studio system and told - and treated - like she was super special at age 16 and on. I mean, the studio did everything for her and she started there at such a young age. So, it's no wonder she thought it was normal for everyone else to do everything for her from then on.
I mean, at one point she talked about how she had to have her "Daddy" build her a replica of a kitchen, so she could "practice with pots, pans, coffeemakers, and utensils, so [she] could look real with things most people use everyday."
Hahahahahahahahhaahhahahahaha.
She was truly a product of the times and her situation.
I mean, if nothing else tells you all you need to know, it's what she says about playing Liberace's mother when she (Debbie) was 81 years old...
In the caption next to the picture of Debbie in her Frances Liberace makeup, she says: "I knew Frances Liberace. She and my mother-in-law, Mrs. Karl, had the same heritage. I felt close to being able to perform her personality quite well. I'm told that I did. I wanted an authentic look to play Lee's mother. She had heavy features and a thick accent. This is what I might look like without the face cream I've used for decades."
I mean...I die lol.
I read this on the immediate heels of Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking, which I really, really enjoyed. And which I described as having "wit, self-awareness, and self-deprecating sarcasm" in the best way possible.
Well, this book displayed none of those things. And actually really shed some further light on Carrie Fisher's childhood.
Not to be harsh, but Debbie Reynolds came off as being somewhat of a narcissist here.
Allow me to elaborate.
Instead of the memoir I was expecting, we got about one thousand million pages of her endlessly extrapolating upon the vile creature that was her third husband. Now, no matter how much he might deserve it, Debbie was met with numerous red flags before tying the knot with this loser. And yet, she somehow manages to acknowledge these red flags in hindsight, whilst simultaneously taking none of the
In fact, that seemed to be one of the main themes of the memoir and Debbie's life: nothing was ever her fault. And, while titled "Unsinkable" as a metaphor for both her self-proclaimed perseverance and as a tie to one of her more serious "young actress" roles as Molly Brown, I must say...anyone can "persevere" when they admittedly run to work to avoid their problems (and simultaneously be fed with audience adulation), demand that other people handle their problems, and/or borrow TONS of money from the bank and all their rich friends to pay for their problems.
I was going to cite exact quotes from the book illustrating that second above mentioned "coping" skill, as there are numerous examples of how, right after a crisis, Debbie says something like, "so I decided to go to Hawaii on vacation instead of dealing with it," or "I miscarried a stillborn and just made my husband take care of everything all alone because I was just too devastated," but I'm too lazy.
She also let her son Todd deal with the constant battle that was her Hollywood Museum collection.
Which brings me to...THE COLLECTION.
Holy boredom, Batman. I mean, I appreciate her desire to preserve Hollywood history, but FFS. She went on ad nauseum about this thing. Forever. And EVER.
In fact, the two most talked about topics in this book were her third husband and this collection.
Second to those things were mentions of Carrie, Todd, and a reminder that Eddie Fisher (she always referred to him as "Eddie Fisher" never just "Eddie") left her and their children for Elizabeth Taylor. I kid you not, she brought this up, referenced it, or somehow used it as a joke upwards of 50 times throughout this book. Almost like she enjoyed being the so-called "victim." I mean, I get that it must have sucked, but she seemed to allow - and want - it to define her life.
Third to all of those things was - if she wasn't rehashing how Eddie Fisher left her for Elizabeth Taylor - just talking about Elizabeth Taylor in general, name dropping every celebrity she ever met in her life, and telling weird little stories about where she was and how she was super connected to major US news events, such as the assassination of JFK and the 9/11 attacks (for that one she referenced both the attacks AND Elizabeth Taylor...also known as a two-fer).
And don't even get me started on how she basically admitted to marrying her second husband for the
The latter half of the book is Debbie basically laundry-listing every movie she's ever been in accompanied by a small blurb about her memory of its filming...even if she had nothing even remotely interesting to say about it. Although, I think Debbie probably thought we would all find her just breathing to be entertaining.
Now, don't get me wrong here. My point is not to tear down Debbie Reynolds. I still love her movies and think she was probably a very nice woman. I just think she was definitely a product of being discovered by the old school movie studio system and told - and treated - like she was super special at age 16 and on. I mean, the studio did everything for her and she started there at such a young age. So, it's no wonder she thought it was normal for everyone else to do everything for her from then on.
I mean, at one point she talked about how she had to have her "Daddy" build her a replica of a kitchen, so she could "practice with pots, pans, coffeemakers, and utensils, so [she] could look real with things most people use everyday."
Hahahahahahahahhaahhahahahaha.
She was truly a product of the times and her situation.
I mean, if nothing else tells you all you need to know, it's what she says about playing Liberace's mother when she (Debbie) was 81 years old...
In the caption next to the picture of Debbie in her Frances Liberace makeup, she says: "I knew Frances Liberace. She and my mother-in-law, Mrs. Karl, had the same heritage. I felt close to being able to perform her personality quite well. I'm told that I did. I wanted an authentic look to play Lee's mother. She had heavy features and a thick accent. This is what I might look like without the face cream I've used for decades."
I mean...I die lol.
March 3, 2017
Unsinkable is definitely an appropriate title for the memoir of Reynolds, who the acting community recently lost after her heart broke at her daughter, Carrie Fisher's death. Their close relationship is a constant topic.
The book starts where one thinks it would end, with the horrific tale of her third, and last, marriage; one that was in name only for Richard as he blatantly exclaimed he was only with her for her money, money that was hard-earned after her second husband bankrupted her. Since her first husband, and the father of her two children, Eddie Fisher, left her for Elizabeth Taylor, she loses the "Blissful Bride" prize.
Reynolds was first and foremost an entertainer having begun her career as a contract player at MGM while still a teenager. These magical days of the musical made memories she carried with her always, inspiring her Las Vegas stage show and causing her to purchase costumes to start a museum. Although her show was quite popular, her museum never came to fruition and she was forced to auction off her treasures to pay debts.
All of these details must mean she had a heart of gold and a spine of steel. She never gave up; she was a real trooper. She saw the good in everything and forgave everyone who did her wrong (ok, maybe not Richard).
The end of the book is a litany of the 50 movies in which she starred and her memories of each shoot.
The book starts where one thinks it would end, with the horrific tale of her third, and last, marriage; one that was in name only for Richard as he blatantly exclaimed he was only with her for her money, money that was hard-earned after her second husband bankrupted her. Since her first husband, and the father of her two children, Eddie Fisher, left her for Elizabeth Taylor, she loses the "Blissful Bride" prize.
Reynolds was first and foremost an entertainer having begun her career as a contract player at MGM while still a teenager. These magical days of the musical made memories she carried with her always, inspiring her Las Vegas stage show and causing her to purchase costumes to start a museum. Although her show was quite popular, her museum never came to fruition and she was forced to auction off her treasures to pay debts.
All of these details must mean she had a heart of gold and a spine of steel. She never gave up; she was a real trooper. She saw the good in everything and forgave everyone who did her wrong (ok, maybe not Richard).
The end of the book is a litany of the 50 movies in which she starred and her memories of each shoot.
June 16, 2024
Ayeayeaye! This is exactly what a memoir should NOT be. In Unsinkable , Debbie Reynolds settles scores with her scumbag third husband and goes into minutiae of her terrible business mishap, running her own Las Vegas hotel into the ground.
The parts that I would have been interested in, she just glosses over. A short nod to her daughter's no holds barred memoir Postcards from the Edge , which skewered their dysfunctional relationship, she glibly comments that it's only a movie.
Her behind the scenes account of her mini-comeback of the 90s working with Albert Brooks in Mother is short and superficial. She is just chomping at the bits to go back to talking about her divorce, and these Hollywood tidbits just get in the way.
I did not finish the book so I don't know if she concluded with an honest reflection and insight on what it means to be a product of Hollywood'studio system still trying to make it fifty years later but given the content I read so far, I highly doubt it.
The parts that I would have been interested in, she just glosses over. A short nod to her daughter's no holds barred memoir Postcards from the Edge , which skewered their dysfunctional relationship, she glibly comments that it's only a movie.
Her behind the scenes account of her mini-comeback of the 90s working with Albert Brooks in Mother is short and superficial. She is just chomping at the bits to go back to talking about her divorce, and these Hollywood tidbits just get in the way.
I did not finish the book so I don't know if she concluded with an honest reflection and insight on what it means to be a product of Hollywood'studio system still trying to make it fifty years later but given the content I read so far, I highly doubt it.
October 6, 2015
I don't know how to rate this.
It's well-written.
It's infuriating.
It's a huge cautionary tale.
It's a hymn to the pitfalls of not knowing when to let go.
One star for the story. Three stars for the writing. Five stars for Debbie Reynolds. Negative Five stars for the stupidity of Debbie Reynolds when it comes to her husband's fraud and deceit.
So...2 average.
And some rants:
1. When a man needs to borrow money for you for a business deal but won't let you sit in on the meetings, I don't care how blue his eyes are or how big his dick is. Get. Out.
2. Don't bemoan how broke you are and then say "but first we decided to take a trip to Hawaii." The only broke people who go to Hawaii are Hawaiians. If you can afford an overseas beach holiday YOU ARE NOT BROKE.
3. Put people ahead of possessions. It's kind of gross how many times she went into debt to friends and gangsters to protect her collection of costumes and other memorabilia.
It's well-written.
It's infuriating.
It's a huge cautionary tale.
It's a hymn to the pitfalls of not knowing when to let go.
One star for the story. Three stars for the writing. Five stars for Debbie Reynolds. Negative Five stars for the stupidity of Debbie Reynolds when it comes to her husband's fraud and deceit.
So...2 average.
And some rants:
1. When a man needs to borrow money for you for a business deal but won't let you sit in on the meetings, I don't care how blue his eyes are or how big his dick is. Get. Out.
2. Don't bemoan how broke you are and then say "but first we decided to take a trip to Hawaii." The only broke people who go to Hawaii are Hawaiians. If you can afford an overseas beach holiday YOU ARE NOT BROKE.
3. Put people ahead of possessions. It's kind of gross how many times she went into debt to friends and gangsters to protect her collection of costumes and other memorabilia.
January 13, 2017
I loved Debbie Reynolds. I loved her tenacity, her talent and her pure chutzpah. I saw a lot of myself in her (only in the bad/foolish decisions she made; not in her gifts as a performer).
When we lost her this last December, I decided the best way to remember her was to finally put Unsinkable at the top of my TBR list. I wish I hadn't waited so long, because reading it now is a melancholy experience. When she discusses her final wishes, and says "may we all live happily ever after," I got a little teary-eyed, simply because I know now how that story really ends.
This memoir picks up right around where her first book left off. This begins with her wedding to her third husband, a time where she was optimistic about her future. Once again, she was taken in by a cheating charlatan, however, and very soon she is fighting for financial survival and facing disappointment in her quest to preserve and display the vast collection of Hollywood memorabilia that she'd spent decades collecting.
I don't know how I would have stood up under disappointment, after disappointment after disappointment. I actually saw her during her UK tour in 2010 (which she describes briefly in the book), and met her after the show. She gave absolutely no indication at that time of the emotional and physical pain that I now know she was experiencing.
The last third of this immensely satisfying read is Debbie's memories of several of her films, including many of the lesser-known titles. As her daughter says in the foreword, this is a "tell-some," rather than a tell-all. I say this because I have to wonder what she held back! Her stories of joyous collaborators, self-important "serious" leading men and crazy characters had me laughing more often than not. Her discussion of Tony Randall (someone she adored) was only two pages long, but was worth the price of admission on its own. Then there were the tricks she learned from famous scene stealers (always after the scene was stolen from her, of course).
I have one story, not in the book, about Debbie's memorabilia museum in Las Vegas. One of my movie buff acquaintances visited it during its brief life and loved getting to see the collection. It was a bittersweet experience for him, however, as this phenomenal, one-of-a-kind, tenderly curated collection had only one other visitor during his whole time on the property. Remembering that story as I was reading Miss Reynolds' book might have been the saddest thing of all for me. Now that that collection is scattered to the winds, and Debbie herself has left us, we can only muse on what might have been, if any one of her dreams for these treasures had come to fruition.
When we lost her this last December, I decided the best way to remember her was to finally put Unsinkable at the top of my TBR list. I wish I hadn't waited so long, because reading it now is a melancholy experience. When she discusses her final wishes, and says "may we all live happily ever after," I got a little teary-eyed, simply because I know now how that story really ends.
This memoir picks up right around where her first book left off. This begins with her wedding to her third husband, a time where she was optimistic about her future. Once again, she was taken in by a cheating charlatan, however, and very soon she is fighting for financial survival and facing disappointment in her quest to preserve and display the vast collection of Hollywood memorabilia that she'd spent decades collecting.
I don't know how I would have stood up under disappointment, after disappointment after disappointment. I actually saw her during her UK tour in 2010 (which she describes briefly in the book), and met her after the show. She gave absolutely no indication at that time of the emotional and physical pain that I now know she was experiencing.
The last third of this immensely satisfying read is Debbie's memories of several of her films, including many of the lesser-known titles. As her daughter says in the foreword, this is a "tell-some," rather than a tell-all. I say this because I have to wonder what she held back! Her stories of joyous collaborators, self-important "serious" leading men and crazy characters had me laughing more often than not. Her discussion of Tony Randall (someone she adored) was only two pages long, but was worth the price of admission on its own. Then there were the tricks she learned from famous scene stealers (always after the scene was stolen from her, of course).
I have one story, not in the book, about Debbie's memorabilia museum in Las Vegas. One of my movie buff acquaintances visited it during its brief life and loved getting to see the collection. It was a bittersweet experience for him, however, as this phenomenal, one-of-a-kind, tenderly curated collection had only one other visitor during his whole time on the property. Remembering that story as I was reading Miss Reynolds' book might have been the saddest thing of all for me. Now that that collection is scattered to the winds, and Debbie herself has left us, we can only muse on what might have been, if any one of her dreams for these treasures had come to fruition.
April 23, 2013
Pathetic. Here we have a woman with incredibly high self esteem and seemingly no reasonable justification for such. Perhaps honesty???? Well, she does freely admit taking her teenage children to a party that offered up serving dishes of cocaine, turning a blind eye when her young daughter took to smoking pot, and tho supposedly fraught with worry that her adult daughter was suicidal putting on an ever so brave face to not miss a moment of her own wedding reception number three. As to men...she cannot be outdone as to having such bad taste in the opposite sex. And never does this woman hesitate to hit up old friends for large amounts of money in an attempt to build a Hollywood museum that most people would have realized was doomed to failure from the get go. Reading this book was the equivalent of watching a four car pileup on the side of the expressway...yep...that bad. Actually makes you want to root for Eddie and Liz...
June 1, 2013
This book is merely an accountant-style overview of Debbie's terrible decisions in life, filled with too many numbers and excuses. While it starts out somewhat promising and is technically well written, Reynolds and her co-author don't understand what makes for a good memoir. We don't care about the hundredth story of her getting a million-dollar loan from a friend or about another lawsuit filed against her for her failing to pay her bills or even about how bad her third husband treated her when she let him sleep with other women without being challenged. Why? Because Reynolds never sees herself as the problem--she always manages to blame someone else. She points fingers at her husband and business partners for her own inept decisions.
Most frustrating is that she fails to recognize her own failures as a mother and instead blames her daughter Carrie's many mental issues on "bipolar disorder" that she claims was "discovered" later in life, instead of focusing on her daughter's 20 years of drug abuse that Debbie seemed to support. (She even admits that her daughter got started on drugs at age 16, when Debbie appeared on Broadway and Carrie started smoking pot with the cast members. Reynolds says, "This didn't seem to be something I needed to control.")
While some people will buy her page-after-page of sob stories, Reynolds is naive at best and incapable of logical thinking at worst. This could have been a fascinating volume that gave true behind-the-scenes insights into her life and work. There is some of that but even when she talks about her more recent screen appearances she is aloof and snippy, with subtle put-downs of Albert Brooks, Steven Spielberg, and even Will & Grace. She also unnecessarily slams George Bush, blaming his 2007 economy for the reason her Tennessee museum never was completed! Meanwhile she praises her son repeatedly (and it would be interesting to read his version of life with Debbie Reynolds & Carrie Fisher!), loved her dad & brother, and repeatedly mentions her faith without saying what that faith is.
Is the book worth reading? Well, there are probably some stories here that you aren't going to hear elsewhere. Or at least her cleaned-up versions of the stories where she is the victim. And she does spend the last third of the book going film-by-film through her works. But you have to put up with her unrealistic vision of herself and her constant mention of how much she's in debt. In the end you learn that Hollywood stars that appear to be rich and happy aren't. And if they are like Debbie Reynolds they also don't seem to understand how the choices they made caused their unhappiness.
Most frustrating is that she fails to recognize her own failures as a mother and instead blames her daughter Carrie's many mental issues on "bipolar disorder" that she claims was "discovered" later in life, instead of focusing on her daughter's 20 years of drug abuse that Debbie seemed to support. (She even admits that her daughter got started on drugs at age 16, when Debbie appeared on Broadway and Carrie started smoking pot with the cast members. Reynolds says, "This didn't seem to be something I needed to control.")
While some people will buy her page-after-page of sob stories, Reynolds is naive at best and incapable of logical thinking at worst. This could have been a fascinating volume that gave true behind-the-scenes insights into her life and work. There is some of that but even when she talks about her more recent screen appearances she is aloof and snippy, with subtle put-downs of Albert Brooks, Steven Spielberg, and even Will & Grace. She also unnecessarily slams George Bush, blaming his 2007 economy for the reason her Tennessee museum never was completed! Meanwhile she praises her son repeatedly (and it would be interesting to read his version of life with Debbie Reynolds & Carrie Fisher!), loved her dad & brother, and repeatedly mentions her faith without saying what that faith is.
Is the book worth reading? Well, there are probably some stories here that you aren't going to hear elsewhere. Or at least her cleaned-up versions of the stories where she is the victim. And she does spend the last third of the book going film-by-film through her works. But you have to put up with her unrealistic vision of herself and her constant mention of how much she's in debt. In the end you learn that Hollywood stars that appear to be rich and happy aren't. And if they are like Debbie Reynolds they also don't seem to understand how the choices they made caused their unhappiness.
November 1, 2013
a *4.5* I am a fan Of Debbie Reynolds. I loved the Movie,"Singin'in the Rain" and also enjoyed The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Mother, to mention a few of her movies. I also read her first book "Debbie" that book ended in the mid 1980s. this book "Unsinkable, a memoir" picks up from the mid 1980s. Debbie Reynolds herself refers to her memoir as a "tell-some". she was honest about her not always wonderful life. especially the bad time she had with her third husband Richard Hamlett, who ended up betraying her and ruining her financially. she wrote of her buying a hotel in Las Vegas and the years trying to make it a success.it was meant to house her Hollywood memorabilia, and a place for shows. It turned out that husband number three was the worst of the three husbands, spending her money lying to her.etc.
I liked the part where she talked about all the movies she did and the experiences she had with each one of them. I thought it was a shame that she had to auction off all the hollywood artifacts she has spent decades collected such as Dorothy's dress in Wizard of Oz. Marilyn Monroe's white"subway" dress she was famous for wearing. she tried so hard to get a museum started for the thousands of Hollywood costumes etc. wish I could have seen that. I found this a good read. I was glad to see that she picked up from where she left off in her 1988 memoir.
I liked the part where she talked about all the movies she did and the experiences she had with each one of them. I thought it was a shame that she had to auction off all the hollywood artifacts she has spent decades collected such as Dorothy's dress in Wizard of Oz. Marilyn Monroe's white"subway" dress she was famous for wearing. she tried so hard to get a museum started for the thousands of Hollywood costumes etc. wish I could have seen that. I found this a good read. I was glad to see that she picked up from where she left off in her 1988 memoir.
April 4, 2013
I devoured this book as I would a box of Godiva truffles - as you turn each page you are presented with a delightful anecdote that is more delectable that the last. Debbie's love story at the heart of this book, is her determination to create a Hollywood Museum. After 40 years of struggle to get this accomplished - she gave up last year and sold her massive collection. Her story was heartbreaking to a movie lover like me. I was lucky to see a small portion of that collection last year in LA before her final auction. Debbie also punctuates the book with stories from each of her 50 movies. She seems to be a Hollywood "Forest Gump" - as a witness to so many pieces of Hollywood history. She was there the night Monty Cliff had his career altering car crash, Pier was sleeping on her couch days before overdosing and dying... and on and on. Smartly written and funny as only Debbie (and maybe Carrie) can be! Loved it!
July 9, 2013
I grew up watching Debbie Reynolds and always loved her. She is such a talented person and a strong role model for us all. I love her candid memoir Unsinkable. It is well written and is one of the first biographies that doesn't violate my biggest pet peeve: she tells her story in chronological order so you don't get lost and wonder which thing came first and was it the same time as that! If she does reference, she gives you a reminder or a page number where you can find it. Also, her photographs are distributed throughout the book in the place she is discussing it. She also includes a photograph section in the center with special pictures. I really like this format. Her heart-wrenching story makes us admire her enduring spirit and will to go on. She is truly an inspiration to us all.
February 14, 2017
I enjoy reading show business biographies and I particularly like the way this one was laid out. The first part of the book was a basically linear narrative about her the person and what was going on in her life as she made movies, toured, and appeared on Broadway. The end of the book followed her movies in release date order, with directors and co-stars mentioned as well as any additional anecdotes that didn't fit into the narrative of the rest of her story. It made the book less disjointed than many show biz biographies, yet still very complete.
Reading her memoir so soon after her death and the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher, made it especially poignant.
Reading her memoir so soon after her death and the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher, made it especially poignant.
April 10, 2016
Unsinkable is the definitive memoir written by film legend and Hollywood icon Debbie Reynolds. This book offers a deeply personal perspective on Hollywood and its elite - from the glory days of MGM to the present. It shines a spotlight on this resilient woman whose talent and passion for her work have endured for more than six decades. Debbie Reynolds - legendary actress, comedienne, singer, dancer and performer - offers readers an intimate glimpse into her extraordinary life, spanning Hollywood's Golden Age to today.
In her engaging, down-to-earth voice, Debbie shares private details about her various troubles; both with money and the type of men with whom she chose to spend her life. She invites readers into the close-knit circle of her family, speaking with deep affection and great honesty about her relationships with her children, Carrie and Todd Fisher. She looks back at her life as an actress working during the Golden Age of Hollywood - chronicling the highs and lows of her professional career.
Debbie reveals anecdotes about her lifelong friendship with the legendary Elizabeth Taylor - as well as speaking of the period of years-long estrangement between them. She also shares stories about her experiences as the foremost collector of Hollywood memorabilia, intimate details of her three marriages and family life with her children. Here, too, are memorable stories about numerous celebrities, such as Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra, Mick Jagger, Gene Kelly, and many more.
Debbie also takes the reader on a delightful guided tour through her movies, sharing poignant, whimsical, often hilarious behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Written with a frankness and a forthright honesty that has always been her trademark style, the woman known as "America's Sweetheart" - the remarkable Debbie Reynolds - writes a story of heartbreak, hope and survival; her own story. Picking up from where Debbie: My Life left off, Unsinkable: A Memoir features dozens of previously unseen photos from Debbie's personal collection. This is a revealing portrait of a woman whose determination is an inspiration.
To be perfectly honest, I really didn't know all that much about Debbie Reynolds before I read this book. Oh, I probably knew the basics about her; Hollywood actress, had a public feud with Elizabeth Taylor over Eddie Fisher, mother of Carrie Fisher - but that was all just basically what I gleaned from reading tabloid press headlines as I went through the grocery store. What actually made me want to read her latest autobiography was hearing about the death of Elizabeth Taylor in March of 2011. I also have a copy of Debbie: My Life sitting somewhere on my bookshelf but I haven't located it yet.
This was such an amazing book for me to read; I really felt for Ms. Reynolds and what she went through. In my opinion, despite being a Hollywood celebrity in her own right, Ms. Reynolds still lived a tremendously difficult life. She went through so much in her personal life - so much of what she experienced would probably have 'sunk' a weaker person - but not Debbie Reynolds!
She has always come back stronger than before and her resilience is definitely something to be admired. I would give this book five stars. In my opinion, it deserves an A+!
In her engaging, down-to-earth voice, Debbie shares private details about her various troubles; both with money and the type of men with whom she chose to spend her life. She invites readers into the close-knit circle of her family, speaking with deep affection and great honesty about her relationships with her children, Carrie and Todd Fisher. She looks back at her life as an actress working during the Golden Age of Hollywood - chronicling the highs and lows of her professional career.
Debbie reveals anecdotes about her lifelong friendship with the legendary Elizabeth Taylor - as well as speaking of the period of years-long estrangement between them. She also shares stories about her experiences as the foremost collector of Hollywood memorabilia, intimate details of her three marriages and family life with her children. Here, too, are memorable stories about numerous celebrities, such as Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra, Mick Jagger, Gene Kelly, and many more.
Debbie also takes the reader on a delightful guided tour through her movies, sharing poignant, whimsical, often hilarious behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Written with a frankness and a forthright honesty that has always been her trademark style, the woman known as "America's Sweetheart" - the remarkable Debbie Reynolds - writes a story of heartbreak, hope and survival; her own story. Picking up from where Debbie: My Life left off, Unsinkable: A Memoir features dozens of previously unseen photos from Debbie's personal collection. This is a revealing portrait of a woman whose determination is an inspiration.
To be perfectly honest, I really didn't know all that much about Debbie Reynolds before I read this book. Oh, I probably knew the basics about her; Hollywood actress, had a public feud with Elizabeth Taylor over Eddie Fisher, mother of Carrie Fisher - but that was all just basically what I gleaned from reading tabloid press headlines as I went through the grocery store. What actually made me want to read her latest autobiography was hearing about the death of Elizabeth Taylor in March of 2011. I also have a copy of Debbie: My Life sitting somewhere on my bookshelf but I haven't located it yet.
This was such an amazing book for me to read; I really felt for Ms. Reynolds and what she went through. In my opinion, despite being a Hollywood celebrity in her own right, Ms. Reynolds still lived a tremendously difficult life. She went through so much in her personal life - so much of what she experienced would probably have 'sunk' a weaker person - but not Debbie Reynolds!
She has always come back stronger than before and her resilience is definitely something to be admired. I would give this book five stars. In my opinion, it deserves an A+!
April 28, 2013
UNSINKABLE picks up where DEBBIE MY LIFE (1988) left off. "At the time I had recently married my third husband," Reynolds writes. "My life was chaotic, but I was very happy. I called my new husband "brave, loyal, and loving." How wrong I was! When I read the optimistic ending of my last memoir now, I can't believe how naive I was when I wrote it." The majority of this book concerns Reynolds's many attempts (and millions of dollars spent and lost) trying to find a permanent home (casino/museum) for the vast collection of Hollywood memorabelia she's collected over decades. Along the way, her marriage to husband #3 crumbles when she discovers he's been stealing her money and has a long-time mistress. On the profession front, she recounts her years on the Las Vegas stage, and movie and TV roles (including her brilliant performance in Albert Brooks's MOTHER, her strained relationship with director Frank Oz on IN AND OUT, and her film reunion with Elizabeth Taylor in the TV movie Carrie Fisher wrote, THESE OLD BROADS, co-starring Shirley MacLaine and Joan Collins). The last 80 or so pages are spent looking back on each of her films with her giving a critical take and behind-the-scenes look at each. She remembers Bob Fosse in GIVE A GIRL A BREAK as an "amazing talent combined with blind ambition." He was her co-star and also co-choreographer (with Gower Champion). The set was a divided one--with director Stanley Donan and Fosse on one side and Reynolds with choreographers Gower and Marge Champion on the other. "During rehearsals, Bobby, who was so in love with his own well-endowed self, would come up behind me and press his "gift" into my backside to tease me. It was obvious he wasn't wearing a dance belt..." She comes up with a clever idea to put an end to it. She loved most of her co-stars--but not so much Leslie Neilson in TAMMY AND THE BACHELOR and Shelley Winters in WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH HELEN--and remembers working with master scene-stealers Thelma Ritter, Walter Matthau and Walter Brennan and learning from them. Carrie Fisher writes a loving introduction. AFter you read this book, you'll be filling your Netflix queue with Debbie Reynolds films.
April 14, 2013
While it appears to be a honest memoir, Debbie Reynolds' first autobiography is so much stronger and interesting. This one has the first half of the book bashing her 3rd ex-husband who managed to steal amazing amounts of money from her and eventually ended up forcing her into bankruptcy. While it appears that he deserved the bashing, Miss Reynolds also holds responsibility for not sufficiently protecting herself, especially in light of her experiences with her second husband. I found it interesting that she barely touched upon the loan that her son took out that eventually defaulted and forced her to sell her movie memorabilia collection. There was one sentence about that, yet she lays no blame on her son but plenty of everyone else.
The second half of the book is a run-through of all of the full-length films in which she was cast (even if she did not eventually end up filming them) along with some anecdotes about each movie. I have a personal dislike for this type of memoir, as there is nothing in-depth or especially illuminating.
I'd give a higher rating to Miss Reynolds' first book.
The second half of the book is a run-through of all of the full-length films in which she was cast (even if she did not eventually end up filming them) along with some anecdotes about each movie. I have a personal dislike for this type of memoir, as there is nothing in-depth or especially illuminating.
I'd give a higher rating to Miss Reynolds' first book.
February 25, 2014
I love Debbie Reynolds! She was a passenger on one of my flights to Las Vegas many years ago. Her hotel, now owned by another, was our layover hotel. She talked about how much she loved owning that hotel and how much she missed it. Little did I know then just how much heartache was involved. She signed autographs for our entire crew, each one with a special message. I loved reading about old Hollywood, especially the way she tells it. You may not agree with all the decisions she made along the way, but I think she is pretty courageous for sharing them and leaving herself open for criticism. I myself, have made choices I would go back and change if I could. Who hasn't? I enjoyed reading her recollections and think she is a sweet lady with a good heart!
November 6, 2018
A Joy to read. Many celebrities that go through tough Times in their lives and write autobiographies feel sorry for themselves. Not Debbie Reynolds, she jokes about the Eddie-Fisher Scandal. In the end of the book she lists her films and How it was doing them and working relationships with cast mates,
Many people are upset that Eddie Fisher left Debbie and the children when he fell in love with Elizabeth Taylor. I am more angry that when Debbie Reynolds divorced he did not got in touch with his children. Divorced from your wife is one thing but you do not divorce from your flest and Blood.
So when she met her second husband and he was Nice to her children I understand Why she fell for him. She also writes about her later roles in Mother and being a guest star in Will and Grace.
Many people are upset that Eddie Fisher left Debbie and the children when he fell in love with Elizabeth Taylor. I am more angry that when Debbie Reynolds divorced he did not got in touch with his children. Divorced from your wife is one thing but you do not divorce from your flest and Blood.
So when she met her second husband and he was Nice to her children I understand Why she fell for him. She also writes about her later roles in Mother and being a guest star in Will and Grace.
October 20, 2018
Another “Hollywood” entertaining read.
March 26, 2016
Review: Unsinkable by Debbie Reynolds & Dorian Hannaway.
Unsinkable was a fabulous remarkable book. The book is principally the story of how her three marriages went wrong and how all three men took advantage of her especially Richard Helmett the third husband. Eddie Fisher the father to her two children was the first to go when he left her for their good friend Elizabeth Taylor. Than she picks herself up and tries again with Harry Karl who treated the children (as they were still very young) great as a substitute dad but broke Debbie’s heart with his gambling and leaving her broke. A big part of the story is about husband number three and how cruel and abusive he was and left her penniless and still sued her after the divorce for nine million dollars, which got settled in court for Debbie to pay him 5.3 million that she didn’t have.
I can’t believe the turmoil she went through over the years mostly because of one man. Debbie did use humor throughout the book but I feel it was covered over with what she went through. While married to Richard (he did sign a nuptial agreement but found loop holes to spend her money) he ran all her businesses and she trusted every decision he made to help her build and invest everything she had in a hotel to house her multi-million dollar Hollywood memorabilia collection in a museum setting while also having her theater and other facilities in that one complex. As time went on the Grand Opening kept being pushed back because of one thing or another until her money was running out.
After it opened she was broke and the upkeep was leaving her to overwork on so many shows and gigs trying to bring in money to keep it afloat. She begged, and borrowed from family and friends until one day her son Todd was helping her and found out there was more to her being broke than what she thought. Her husband had a mistress a couple of blocks away at a luxury hotel and a lot of her money was spent on his life style and gambling. It really was a shock to her but she still managed to keep her chin up and maintain her acting, singing and comic routines. Once again another husband shafted her and cruelly told her he never loved her. She finally had to file bankruptcy to pay off the debts he signed in her name and other debts of his to set things right. Even after all that turmoil she still felt love towards him but knew it was over….
One thing he still remembered after the divorce was that Debbie still had her collection worth millions. The courts finally settled the mater and she had to auction off most of her memorabilia in order to pay him and other creditors. Richard broke her spirit and the day of the auction he crushed her heart….The last third of the book was all about her roles in many great movies and what went on in the scenes and behind the scenes. If it wasn’t for her strong love for her two children and her singing and acting I think she would have died young from a broken heart…..As of 2013 she was still acting but most of her work was dialogue in animated movies as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Rugrats in Paris” but she also did a movie that was released in 2013 “Behind The Candelabra” at the young age of eighty-one….
Unsinkable was a fabulous remarkable book. The book is principally the story of how her three marriages went wrong and how all three men took advantage of her especially Richard Helmett the third husband. Eddie Fisher the father to her two children was the first to go when he left her for their good friend Elizabeth Taylor. Than she picks herself up and tries again with Harry Karl who treated the children (as they were still very young) great as a substitute dad but broke Debbie’s heart with his gambling and leaving her broke. A big part of the story is about husband number three and how cruel and abusive he was and left her penniless and still sued her after the divorce for nine million dollars, which got settled in court for Debbie to pay him 5.3 million that she didn’t have.
I can’t believe the turmoil she went through over the years mostly because of one man. Debbie did use humor throughout the book but I feel it was covered over with what she went through. While married to Richard (he did sign a nuptial agreement but found loop holes to spend her money) he ran all her businesses and she trusted every decision he made to help her build and invest everything she had in a hotel to house her multi-million dollar Hollywood memorabilia collection in a museum setting while also having her theater and other facilities in that one complex. As time went on the Grand Opening kept being pushed back because of one thing or another until her money was running out.
After it opened she was broke and the upkeep was leaving her to overwork on so many shows and gigs trying to bring in money to keep it afloat. She begged, and borrowed from family and friends until one day her son Todd was helping her and found out there was more to her being broke than what she thought. Her husband had a mistress a couple of blocks away at a luxury hotel and a lot of her money was spent on his life style and gambling. It really was a shock to her but she still managed to keep her chin up and maintain her acting, singing and comic routines. Once again another husband shafted her and cruelly told her he never loved her. She finally had to file bankruptcy to pay off the debts he signed in her name and other debts of his to set things right. Even after all that turmoil she still felt love towards him but knew it was over….
One thing he still remembered after the divorce was that Debbie still had her collection worth millions. The courts finally settled the mater and she had to auction off most of her memorabilia in order to pay him and other creditors. Richard broke her spirit and the day of the auction he crushed her heart….The last third of the book was all about her roles in many great movies and what went on in the scenes and behind the scenes. If it wasn’t for her strong love for her two children and her singing and acting I think she would have died young from a broken heart…..As of 2013 she was still acting but most of her work was dialogue in animated movies as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Rugrats in Paris” but she also did a movie that was released in 2013 “Behind The Candelabra” at the young age of eighty-one….
October 12, 2022
Debbie Reynolds had such a great speaking voice! It’s a shame she couldn’t have done more audiobooks in her time. Interesting life too, an interesting perspective to movie making history.
October 10, 2018
Picking up with where she left off from her previous memoir, Debbie: My Life, Debbie Reynolds laughs off where she left that book. Having just entered into her third marriage, Debbie had all the hope for a happy and settled future. However, she later discovers that what she put into the marriage, wasn't worth the effort, time, or money it would cost her later. Now, hindsight is, as they say, 20/20.
Debbie is, if you'll excuse any puns, an open book. She painstakingly details her lows, of which she had many, and gloriously relives her highs. I was deeply touched by her clear perseverance against great odds financially and emotionally. Debbie approaches every part of her life in this book, and nothing seems to be skimmed through or forgotten. Around the ⅔ mark, she begins going through her acting credits, one by one. Never lingering on one movie or role too long, Debbie still manages to recount nearly every film experience she had—the good, the bad, and the ugly. She's forthcoming without being gossipy, she's blunt without resorting to smearing, and she's honest down to the bone.
It was quite a loss to the world when this star left us, but thankfully she spent many hours in front of the camera and behind the microphone—and in that way, we can visit with her any time.
Audiobook, as read by the author: Debbie's voice, as when any author reads his/her own work, adds that level of authenticity that could not be otherwise captured. She's conversational and friendly throughout and I enjoyed listening to this one immensely.
Debbie is, if you'll excuse any puns, an open book. She painstakingly details her lows, of which she had many, and gloriously relives her highs. I was deeply touched by her clear perseverance against great odds financially and emotionally. Debbie approaches every part of her life in this book, and nothing seems to be skimmed through or forgotten. Around the ⅔ mark, she begins going through her acting credits, one by one. Never lingering on one movie or role too long, Debbie still manages to recount nearly every film experience she had—the good, the bad, and the ugly. She's forthcoming without being gossipy, she's blunt without resorting to smearing, and she's honest down to the bone.
It was quite a loss to the world when this star left us, but thankfully she spent many hours in front of the camera and behind the microphone—and in that way, we can visit with her any time.
Audiobook, as read by the author: Debbie's voice, as when any author reads his/her own work, adds that level of authenticity that could not be otherwise captured. She's conversational and friendly throughout and I enjoyed listening to this one immensely.
November 9, 2016
A story of a star from the Golden Age of Hollywood, Unsinkable brings us the inspirational tale of Debbie Reynolds, a woman who rose above the adversities that life offered…and soared. She truly excelled at finding the bright spots in her life, even though she was betrayed by the men she married.
Her children, Carrie and Todd Fisher, are truly the lights of her life, and despite Carrie’s struggles with mental health issues and addiction, she, too, has managed to turn darkness into humor and creative accomplishments.
There are also the stories of friendships, torn and mended, like the one between Debbie and Elizabeth Taylor. After Eddie Fisher left Debbie for Elizabeth, there would naturally be a rift between the two, but Debbie forgave Elizabeth and the two became friends and colleagues again, in a movie Carrie produced, These Old Broads. Debbie, Elizabeth, Shirley MacLaine, and Joan Collins portrayed former stars reuniting when one of their movies becomes a cult hit.
Debbie’s efforts to create a museum for her astonishing collection of movie memorabilia, like costumes from films that spanned decades, became a pursuit that would lead her to explore many venues. When all efforts failed, she bravely did something she had never imagined she would do.
Surviving a career that began with the studio system, facing betrayal and financial upheavals, and still finding a way to keep her sense of humor and grace is a testament to Debbie’s spirit. A fascinating story that kept me intrigued throughout. 4 stars.
Her children, Carrie and Todd Fisher, are truly the lights of her life, and despite Carrie’s struggles with mental health issues and addiction, she, too, has managed to turn darkness into humor and creative accomplishments.
There are also the stories of friendships, torn and mended, like the one between Debbie and Elizabeth Taylor. After Eddie Fisher left Debbie for Elizabeth, there would naturally be a rift between the two, but Debbie forgave Elizabeth and the two became friends and colleagues again, in a movie Carrie produced, These Old Broads. Debbie, Elizabeth, Shirley MacLaine, and Joan Collins portrayed former stars reuniting when one of their movies becomes a cult hit.
Debbie’s efforts to create a museum for her astonishing collection of movie memorabilia, like costumes from films that spanned decades, became a pursuit that would lead her to explore many venues. When all efforts failed, she bravely did something she had never imagined she would do.
Surviving a career that began with the studio system, facing betrayal and financial upheavals, and still finding a way to keep her sense of humor and grace is a testament to Debbie’s spirit. A fascinating story that kept me intrigued throughout. 4 stars.
January 14, 2018
I have to give this book four stars because of the great tidbits in it about life in Hollywood's Golden Age as well as juicy gossip about the rich and famous of 1950's Tinseltown. Debbie, who appears to be a Midwestern salt of the earth gal, was discovered in a talent contest at 16 in Burbank where her family had relocated, and groomed by Warner Brothers and MGM to be a dancer and musical star. She actually shared a studio classroom with her equally underage nemesis in training Elizabeth Taylor, who even as a school kid rebelliously hid out in the bathroom instead of taking tuition...no doubt plotting her next outrageous moves in the game of life. This book really comes to life in Debbie's description of MGM and Warner Bros in their heyday..they were both like little fiefdoms with everything in them from costume to carpentry shops as well as dance studios and acting classes. MGM even had its own orchestra. Debbie herself worked tirelessly for years trying to establish a museum for movie memorabilia only to see it auctioned off in 2011 in order to keep her creditors at bay. The less said the better about the 3 lousy husbands who cheated on her -one,Eddie Fisher, famously with the audacious ELizabeth--and bankrupted her. It has a poignant ending because Debbie claims to live happily ever after all this Sturm und Drang,but of course, we know died 24 hours after her troubled daughter Carrie Fisher did in 2016.Let's hope she is leading a chorus line in the sky in a musical written by Carrie. She deserved it. They deserved it.
February 5, 2017
A bittersweet memoir from a talented and much loved entertainer, mother and human being. I found myself teary eyed at some points reading/listening to this especially when she talks about her children, mainly Carrie. Things didn't always work out the way she would have hoped they would but the title says it all, she was unsinkable and just kept carrying on. The audible is read by Debbie and it's enjoyable to hear her laugh, sing and I can imagine rolling her eyes at some points. I think that this work, because it's her thoughts is more personal that a biography or work that is written by someone else. She talks about her marriages, relationships with others in the industry and her disappointments of not fulfilling her dream of a Museum to showcase her Hollywood Memorabilia that she collected for over 50 years. She also goes through her movies from the start of her career to the writing of this book and shares her memories from them. Very entertaining and enjoyable.
March 12, 2014
Added 3/12/14.
I recently listened to an audible.com version of Unsinkable: A Memoir, written and read by Debbie Reynolds. I enjoyed the fact that Debbie Reynolds read her own bio. However, one reviewer commented that Debbie's reading wasn't very good and a different reader would have been better. I disagree. The reading may not have been perfect but Debbie's droll personality shone through the entire reading experience. That made all the difference to me.
Debbie's life had its ups and downs but she had the fortitude to keep on going. I admire that. She's a talented lady with many talents but her greatest aptitude is her fortitude.
I enjoyed her comments about all the show people she worked with.
I recently listened to an audible.com version of Unsinkable: A Memoir, written and read by Debbie Reynolds. I enjoyed the fact that Debbie Reynolds read her own bio. However, one reviewer commented that Debbie's reading wasn't very good and a different reader would have been better. I disagree. The reading may not have been perfect but Debbie's droll personality shone through the entire reading experience. That made all the difference to me.
Debbie's life had its ups and downs but she had the fortitude to keep on going. I admire that. She's a talented lady with many talents but her greatest aptitude is her fortitude.
I enjoyed her comments about all the show people she worked with.
October 31, 2013
Written by Debbie Reynolds (with help) and narrated by Debbie Reynolds. I don't think this book would have been quite as interesting without her voice, imitations and singing.
Most of the book tells of Reynolds's life since her last book and mostly deals with her disastrous third marriage and the resultant loss of her hotel and collection of Hollywood memorabilia. After that, she comments, in chronological order, about each movie she made and memorable people and events during each.
Not a book where she sleeps around, but she isn't shy telling of who did.
Most of the book tells of Reynolds's life since her last book and mostly deals with her disastrous third marriage and the resultant loss of her hotel and collection of Hollywood memorabilia. After that, she comments, in chronological order, about each movie she made and memorable people and events during each.
Not a book where she sleeps around, but she isn't shy telling of who did.
June 14, 2013
Just the kind of Hollywood memoir I like! Opening with a description of her third wedding, Ms. Reynolds weaves the story of her third marital disaster with personal stories of her children, Todd and Carrie Fisher, and the many movie people, actors, writers, costumers, she has known. The book wraps up with stories about each and every movie she ever made. The more about this lady I know, the more I like her!
June 25, 2018
What a delightful read!
I'm reading all the biographies of people related to Carrie Fisher. It certainly sheds new light on their lives when told from different points of view!
I'm reading all the biographies of people related to Carrie Fisher. It certainly sheds new light on their lives when told from different points of view!
January 21, 2023
I honestly don’t know how I stumbled upon this one: I think it’s a combo of watching “Will and Grace” where Debbie plays Grace’s mom and trying to get the most out of my free trial at Scribd. I absolutely loved this one. I wish I could have found her first memoir because I think it covered her early Hollywood years in depth. This one focused more on her third marriage, her Vegas hotel, and her attempts to fund a museum to house her Hollywood memorabilia collection. My favorite part was toward the end where she gave short, behind the scenes stories about each of her movies. Listening to this one on audiobook was like spending time with my grandma: just her voice, her breaking into songs, her wit…I really enjoyed this one. I think I might be a card carrying member of the Debbie Reynolds fan club after this one.
July 19, 2021
I read this as research for another fanfic I’m writing (yes, shut up) and had to take periodic stress breaks to pace around Copenhagen Airport because one of Debbie’s twenty shitty husbands was stealing from her again.
September 28, 2013
This memoir was highly anticipated for me. Having read Debbie Reynolds's earlier memoir from the 1980s, I didn't believe she could write much more on her life---having had quite a full life already!
From her earliest days at the Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Studios, she was that “cute” kid with the really high voice that could do impersonations of famous actors. She had been through several divorces, multiple scandals, earned and lost millions, and worked with some of the most legendary stars of the silver screen. My first encounter with her acting work was in “Singin' in the Rain” starring Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor.
This memoir was a bit jumbled in its presentation, beginning with what happened since her last memoir, then working from her beginnings at MGM to her most recent movie. I loved the little anecdotes that were missing since the first memoir, but all in all it seemed like a very long-winded rant on how she has been wronged by all her ex-husbands, and is a bit boastful on how “she came out on top” but everyone should still feel sorry for her because she lost all of her money. I get it. Her marriages were not the best. But using that as the only fuel you have to write another memoir doesn't make for an excellent tome of your life.
From her earliest days at the Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Studios, she was that “cute” kid with the really high voice that could do impersonations of famous actors. She had been through several divorces, multiple scandals, earned and lost millions, and worked with some of the most legendary stars of the silver screen. My first encounter with her acting work was in “Singin' in the Rain” starring Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor.
This memoir was a bit jumbled in its presentation, beginning with what happened since her last memoir, then working from her beginnings at MGM to her most recent movie. I loved the little anecdotes that were missing since the first memoir, but all in all it seemed like a very long-winded rant on how she has been wronged by all her ex-husbands, and is a bit boastful on how “she came out on top” but everyone should still feel sorry for her because she lost all of her money. I get it. Her marriages were not the best. But using that as the only fuel you have to write another memoir doesn't make for an excellent tome of your life.
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