10 Greatest Films of Debbie Reynolds

The thing that most stood out about Debbie Reynolds, for me, is how much she looked and sounded like my grandmother. Or maybe vice versa. But, obviously, there was much more to Debbie Reynolds than that. She was a huge star in the 1950s and continued working for more than half a century.

She was born Mary Frances Reynolds in El Paso, Texas, in 1932. When she was seven, her family moved to Burbank, California. In high school, she won the Miss Burbank pageant and acquired the attention of Jack Warner, who put her under contract in 1948 and dubbed her Debbie.

In 1950, she was nominated for the best newcomer Golden Globe for her performance in Three Little Words. In 1952, she became a star with Singin’ in the Rain.

She went on to make more than 40 theatrical movies and appear in dozens of television projects. Her last role was as Liberace’s mother in the HBO film Behind the Candelabra.

She also sang, and had a number one song on the Billboard charts. She performed live in Vegas for a decade. She also appeared in several Broadway shows.

She was nominated for a best actress Oscar in 1965, for The Unsinkable Molly Brown. She had five Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy nomination.

Debbie was also the mother of actress and writer Carrie Fisher. Debbie died one day after her daughter died.

10. What’s the Matter With Helen? (1971) — a thriller that’s highlight is just seeing two formidable stars — Debbie and Shelley Winters — act opposite each other.

“I offered you my blessing, but you refused it. Now move along.” — Sister Alma

9. Divorce American Style (1967) — a comedic look at the process of divorce, starring Debbie and Dick Van Dyke.

“So, since when do men grow up? They just grow old. You know what I call this apartment sometimes? Boys’ Town” — Dede Murphy

8. The Tender Trap (1955) — an adaptation of the Broadway show. Frank Sinatra plays an agent who meets Debbie’s character at an audition. For him it’s a casual thing, but she’s determined they will marry.

“Joe, do you have any idea what’s available to a woman of 33? Married men. Drunks. Pretty boys looking for someone to support them. Lunatics looking for their fifth divorce! It’s quite a list, isn’t it?” — Sylvia Crewes

7. Charlotte’s Web (1973) — the classic book by E.B. White, well adapted in animated film, with voices provided by the cast of Hollywood Squares.

“Trust me, Wilbur. People are very gullible. They’ll believe anything they see in print.” — Charlotte

6. Tammy and the Bachelor (1957) — largely a vehicle for Debbie to be irresistibly charming — but she’s well supported by Leslie Nielsen as a pilot that crash lands on her family’s farm.

“Just think, Miss Renie, that same moon that’s shinin’ down on me this very moment, is shinin’ down on Pete’s tomatoes!” — Tammy

5. Mother (1996) — forty-four years after becoming a star, Debbie proves she still has it in this poignant comedy about mothers and sons. Albert Brooks plays her neurotic son, greatly shaped by her presence.

“We’re not intimate dear. We just have sex occasional.” — Beatrice

4. In & Out (1997) — a sweet comedy, with a stellar cast, about an English teacher outed on television. The catch is the news was even news to him. Debbie plays his mom.

“Howard, we want you to know: you’re our son, and we’ll always love you, gay, straight, red, green, if you rob a bank, if you kill someone.” — Berniece

3. How the West Was Won (1962) — an epic western with a massive cast of stars — a film so big it needed three directors. Along with Debbie, stars like John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Jimmy Stewart, and Gregory Peck appear.

“Well… I’d hate to be the cause of your death, Mr. Van Valen.” — Lily Prescott

2. The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964) — an adaptation of the Broadway show about the larger than real life Molly Brown. Debbie had the presence to fill her shoes.

“Nobody wants to see me down like I wants to see me up.” — Molly Brown

1. Singin’ in the Rain (1952) — regarded as possibly the greatest Hollywood musical. Debbie, Gene Kelly, and Donald O’Connor gracefully dance and sing their way through this story set during the transition from silent films to talkies.

“Oh, no offense. Movies are entertaining enough for the masses but the personalities on the screen just don’t impress me. I mean they don’t talk, they don’t act, the just make a lot of dumb show. Well, you know…” — Kathy

Due to the unexpected nature of this post and since I can only consider films I’ve seen, I no doubt have missed some of your favorites. What would make your list?