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If I Knew Then
In If I Knew Then, which was first published in 1962, Debbie Reynolds makes her debut as an author, having already excelled in numerous other fields of expression—including appearing in motion pictures, on the stage, in vaudeville and on television, and selling more than a million copies of her record “Tammy,” from the movie Tammy and the Bachelor (1957).
“I’m Debbie Reynolds.
“Well, I’m not really Debbie; I’m Mary Frances. But if you like Debbie you can call me that. Or you can call me Sis, like my father, or Frannie, like my brother, or Mrs. Karl or—Whatever you want to call me, I’m pleased to meet you.
“Now let’s get down to cases. Like the Case of Why Debbie Reynolds Is Writing a Book. That’s one that even Perry Mason would have trouble solving.
“Me write a book?
“I can imagine the hubbub this will arouse in certain quarters
“People who know me well know I will not be swayed by flattery. I am going to write this book, anyway. First I’d better list what this book is not.
“1. It is not an autobiography of Little Me. The life and times of this belle will have to be written a few decades hence.
“2. It will not teach you how to play the piano in forty-five (45) days.
“3. It will not cure nervous tension, negative thinking or excess acidity.
“Then what is it?
“It is a book about the things I have learned, often the hard way. It was prompted by the people who have written me for advice on a variety of subjects, mainly personal. Why me, I don’t know. But they write….”—Debbie Reynolds
“I’m Debbie Reynolds.
“Well, I’m not really Debbie; I’m Mary Frances. But if you like Debbie you can call me that. Or you can call me Sis, like my father, or Frannie, like my brother, or Mrs. Karl or—Whatever you want to call me, I’m pleased to meet you.
“Now let’s get down to cases. Like the Case of Why Debbie Reynolds Is Writing a Book. That’s one that even Perry Mason would have trouble solving.
“Me write a book?
“I can imagine the hubbub this will arouse in certain quarters
“People who know me well know I will not be swayed by flattery. I am going to write this book, anyway. First I’d better list what this book is not.
“1. It is not an autobiography of Little Me. The life and times of this belle will have to be written a few decades hence.
“2. It will not teach you how to play the piano in forty-five (45) days.
“3. It will not cure nervous tension, negative thinking or excess acidity.
“Then what is it?
“It is a book about the things I have learned, often the hard way. It was prompted by the people who have written me for advice on a variety of subjects, mainly personal. Why me, I don’t know. But they write….”—Debbie Reynolds
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2018
19 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Reynolds
21 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 17, 2021
Debbie Reynolds's sense of humor really melted through these words. A glimpse into the real and turbulent life of this ever-smiling icon.
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