A Visit with Debbie Reynolds (1959) User Reviews

PSA for the Jimmy Fund in Boston

[EStefanik · 6/10 · 11 July 2006]

In this 3-minute short, Debbie Reynolds appeals as a celebrity and as a mother to raise money for cancer research and patient care.

This film was shown in theaters that participated in collecting contributions from the audience for the Jimmy Fund at Children's Cancer Research Foundation in Boston, Mass. It was presented by the Variety Club of New England and The Boston Red Sox.

Although no production date appears on the film, Debbie Reynolds shows a photo of her two children, Carrie Fisher (b. 21 October 1956) and Todd Fisher (b. 24 February 1959). Based on the apparent ages of the children in that photo, it is reasonable to assume that this PSA was filmed around 1960.

Two Reynolds Shorts

[Michael_Elliott · 4 April 2009]

Visit with Debbie Reynolds, A (1959)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Story of a Dress, The (1964)

*** (out of 4)

These two shorts are certainly going to appeal to Debbie Reynolds fans but films buffs might be interested in them just for history sake as both appear on Turner Classic Movies quite often. A VISIT WITH DEBBIE REYNOLDS features the actress speaking to the camera about the Jimmy Fund, which is a cause many celebrities did shorts for back in the day. Reynolds talks about her own children and then talks about all the sick children who need help for their cancer. THE STORY OF A DRESS is a promotional piece for THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, which features Reynolds, Morton Haack, Charles Walters and many others. Fans of that musical will want to check this out but I think the bigger thing to take notice of here is some of the "how to" in Hollywood. The documentary does a good job at showing how the director, star and costume designer come together to agree on certain outfits and then we get to see how they are made. Both shorts run just over five minutes so if you see them on TCM there's certainly worth watching.