There was no greater thrill than to be ordered around by Debbie Reynolds.
I was going to meet Molly Brown.
Debbie was very specific about how the interview should occur.
Credit: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
That washerspot, Debbie informed me.
I was to sit in the nearby chair and drink my tea.
I was very proud of that uniform and still am.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
I had 47 badges when I visited that day… more than anybody!
She spoke candidly about always wearing wigs (Doing your own hair why bother?)
and the pains she took as a young actress to make her waist look slender.
Everett Collection
I wanted to have no ribs, she recalled.
I wore what was called a waist-nipper in those days.
My mother made it.
Its a piece of rubber band I wore around to hold my rib cage in.
I dont know why I always loved that.
I guess I was a glutton for punishment.
I think I was born one of those people who loved swords and fought in armor.
Hes a very sweet man.
He was very good to me and gave me some very good advice that I did not listen to.
He said, Sweetie… he called me sweetie dont marry Eddie.
He said, You shouldnt get married to a singer.
Its ridiculous for you to take this on.'
(Debbie married Eddie three years earlier).
Elizabeth was married to Mike Todd at the time and, like Debbie, was in her 20s.
I was in awe of going to school with her.
And if you werent, you were lying or blind.
We were friends until her death, Debbie told me.
Finally, a happy picture of her daughter Carrie and her brother Todd when they were little.
she said, gazing at the old press photo.
I always loved to put little outfits together for them.
They were raised on the MGM backlot.
I was very blessed, very blessed to have these children.
I was just lucky.
Time was up; another reporter was scheduled to interview Debbie about her Life Achievement award.
It tickled the actress that she was winning such an honor.
The golden era of Hollywood.
Fortunately, thats really my life.
My life is golden.
