Synopses & Reviews
The definitive memoir by legendary actress and performer Debbie Reynolds—an entertaining and moving story of enduring friendships and unbreakable family bonds, of hitting bottom and rising to the top again—that offers a unique and deeply personal perspective on Hollywood and its elite, from the glory days of MGM to the present
Unsinkable
Inthe closing pages of her 1988 autobiography Debbie: My Life, Debbie Reynolds wrote about finding her "brave, loyal, and loving" new husband. After two broken marriages, this third, she believed, was her lucky charm. But within a few years, Debbie discovered that he had betrayed her emotionally and financially, nearly destroying her life.
Today, she writes, "When I read the optimistic ending of my last memoir now, I can't believe how naive I was when I wrote it. In Unsinkable, I look back at the many years since then, and share my memories of a film career that took me from the Miss Burbank Contest of 1948 to the work I did in 2012. . . . To paraphrase Bette Davis: Fasten your seatbelts, I've had a bumpy ride."
Unsinkable shines a spotlight on the resilient woman whose talent and passion for her work have endured for more than six decades. In her engaging, down-to-earth voice, Debbie shares private details about her man and money troubles, including building and losing her Las Vegas dream hotel and her treasured Hollywood memorabilia collection. Yet no matter how difficult the problems, the show always goes on.
Debbie also invites us into the close circle of her family, speaking with deep affection and honesty about her relationships with her children, Carrie and Todd Fisher. She looks back at her life as an actress during Hollywood's Golden Age—"the most magical time you could imagine"—including her lifelong friendship with (and years-long estrangement from) the legendary Elizabeth Taylor. Here, too, are stories that never reached the tabloids about numerous celebrities, such as Ava Gardner, Clark Gable, Frank Sinatra, Mick Jagger, Gene Kelly, and many more. She takes us on a guided tour through her movies with delightful, often hilarious behind-the-scenes anecdotes about every film in which she was involved, from 1948 to the present.
Frank and forthright, and featuring dozens of previously unseen photos from Debbie's personal collection, Unsinkable is a poignant reminder that there is light in the darkest times. It is a revealing portrait of a woman whose determination is an inspiration.
Review
“Anyone who loves Hollywood and movies is bound to enjoy this lively, funny book, filled with candid recollections. Debbie was a movie-struck kid who experienced the last days of Hollywoods Golden Age, and I love her clear-eyed memories.” Leonard Maltin
Review
“[Reynolds is] indisputably a grand dame of show business.” NPR on UNSINKABLE
Review
“Lively.” People on UNSINKABLE
Review
“Debbie Reynolds knows exactly how to steal the scene, wring tears, and most important, how to leave the audience feeling thoroughly entertained.” New York Journal of Books on UNSINKABLE
Review
“Nothing could sink this lady.” New York Post on UNSINKABLE
Synopsis
Unsinkable is the definitive memoir by film legend and Hollywood icon Debbie Reynolds.
Actress, comedienne, singer, and dancer Debbie Reynolds shares the highs and lows of her life as an actress during Hollywoods Golden Age, anecdotes about her lifelong friendship with Elizabeth Taylor and her experiences as the foremost collector of Hollywood memorabilia, and intimate details of her marriages and family life with her children, Carrie and Todd Fisher.
A story of heartbreak, hope, and survival, “Americas Sweetheart” Debbie Reynolds picks up where she left off in her first memoir, Debbie: My Life.
Unsinkable is illustrated with previously unpublished photos from Reynoldss personal collection.
About the Author
Debbie Reynolds is an actress, comedienne, singer, dancer, and author best known for her leading roles in
Singin' in the Rain and
The Unsinkable Molly Brown, and on TV as Bobbi Adler in
Will & Grace. After more than sixty years in the entertainment industry, she is truly a Hollywood icon. Today, she performs her one-woman show around the world, making films and television appearances, and writing a weekly syndicated advice column.
Dorian Hannaway was the director of late-night programming at CBS-TV for more than fifteen years, supervising the production of The Late Show with David Letterman; The Kids in the Hall; and The Late, Late Show. She has known Debbie for more than thirty years, and has written and produced many projects with her.