FOR THE UNSINKABLE REYNOLDS, THE BOWL  

HAS A HAPPY FEELING 

By Susan King 

September 15, 2000

Debbie Reynolds, the star of such classic Hollywood musicals as "Singin' in the Rain" and "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," will join John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl orchestra this weekend for the Hollywood Bowl's annual "Fireworks Finale" this weekend.

The 68-year-old dynamo will sing some of her greatest hits, including "Tammy" from "Tammy and the Bachelor" and, of course, "Singin' in the Rain."

Reynolds, born in El Paso, began her film career at MGM after she won a beauty contest at 16, impersonating actress Betty Hutton. She made her film debut in "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady" and was all of 20 when she starred with Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor in the landmark 1952 musical "Singin' in the Rain."

She's appeared in countless motion pictures and TV series, including "The Tender Trap," "This Happy Feeling," "The Pleasure of His Company" and "How the West Was Won." She received a best actress Oscar nomination for 1964's "The Unsinkable Molly Brown."

Reynolds has won over a new legion of fans thanks to her acclaimed performance in Albert Brooks' comedy "Mother" and as Kevin Kline's mother in "In & Out." She also is a tireless theater and nightclub performer and the mother of actress-writer Carrie Fisher.

Reynolds is filming an ABC movie Fisher co-wrote, "These Old Broads," with Joan Collins, Shirley MacLaine and Elizabeth Taylor. Forty years ago, Reynolds divorced singer Eddie Fisher, who was having an affair with Taylor. Fisher then married Taylor.

The "Fireworks Finale 2000" also features special guests B.D. Wong of "M. Butterfly" fame and the musical group Pink Martini.

Reynolds recently talked about the Bowl, her concert performances and her new TV movie.

Question: Have you performed before at the Hollywood Bowl?

Answer: I have been there for benefits. They used to have water in front of the [stage]. I remember 35 years ago jumping into that water with a full ball gown on. We all did. We jumped in with tuxedos and ball gowns, just for fun.

We just thought we'd kick it up a bit. It was a tribute to radio in L.A. Johnny Grant was a disc jockey, and there were all of these other disc jockeys. That was a long time ago. . . 

I worked [in L.A.] in the '60s at the Cocoanut Grove. I did an act with Donald O'Connor at the Universal Amphitheatre about 12 years ago. But I haven't worked the Bowl [during the summer season]. So when they called me about it, I said I'd like to. I work symphonies all over America, pop evenings.

Q: Will you be singing and doing comedy?

A: I'll be doing music because it fits the Bowl. [For] comedy, it's too large a venue. I'll be singing a Sondheim opener, called "I'm Still Here," and then I'll do a medley of movie songs. I'll be doing "Dominique," which was a hit. That was from "The Singing Nun." And then I'll do "I Ain't Down Yet" from "The Unsinkable Molly Brown."

I'll be doing a tribute medley to Judy Garland, who is someone I adored. We were friends. She had great songs. So I'll be doing about an eight-minute medley of Judy's tunes. I only have 25 minutes [on stage], so that is not a long time.

Q: Do you remember going to the Hollywood Bowl as a youngster?

A: We came here in 1939 from Texas. My parents took me to the Bowl when I was a little girl, probably when I was 8 or 9. We just walked to the Bowl because we lived in Burbank. It was right over the hill. That was in the old days before freeways. We just went to see this famous Hollywood Bowl, and it was awesome because it was so enormous and still is. We didn't have very good seats. We were way, way, way in the back.

I just hope they keep the Hollywood Bowl forever and forever.

Q: You said earlier you do a lot of pop concerts with symphony orchestras. How often are you on the road performing?

A: I do about 12 symphonies, but I work about 50 weeks a year. I do my own show, my own one-woman show called "In Concert." I play all the civic houses, and then I play a lot of clubs - Myrtle Beach and down in Mississippi, Louisiana. I play Vegas about four times a year. Then I play Laughlin, Nev.; Reno, Nev.; Sparks, Nev.; and Lake Tahoe, Nev. We have the new venues in all the Indian reservations. I am busy all year long traveling. It's difficult because the air travel is kind of hard, but when you get there it's great fun.

Q: Does your show attract all age groups?

A: Well, the young people don't know me, but I recently have done a film called "Halloweentown," which was for the Disney Channel, so little kids like that movie a lot. I did "Mother" with Albert Brooks, and that brought a new group in; and I do "Will & Grace." I play Grace's mother on television, and that is a very big, other kind of audience. So I am sort of at every avenue of the business.

Q: So tell me about the ABC movie "These Old Broads," which your daughter Carrie Fisher co-wrote with Elaine Pope.

A: It's a musical within a musical. It is the story about three women who are musical comedy movie stars--like the Andrew Sisters, only movie stars. We all hate each other, and our agent is a woman and Elizabeth Taylor.

Q: That's interesting casting.

A: Isn't it hysterical? It's my daughter. She is so funny and edgy. She's a great writer. It's a very funny script.

Q: Is it difficult, though, appearing opposite Taylor because of the Eddie Fisher situation?

A: That was long ago. My children are in their 40s. The divorce was 40 years ago. That was settled a long time ago. We don't hang together socially. We have different friends. We are friendly, and she's a very funny girl, and she'll be great in this part. She and I have some wonderful scenes together. It's going to be one of the funniest pictures ever made.