William Powell and Jean Harlow in Reckless (1935, MGM Pictures), one of several films loosely based on Libby Holman’s marriage to and indictment for the murder of Zachary Smith Reynolds.
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Karina will be presenting films featured on this season of You Must Remember This at theaters across the country in October and November! See where she'll be and get your tickets on our Fall Tour 2026 page.
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While the racist, antisemitic Southern authorities try to indict a pregnant Libby for the murder of her husband, the national media effectively puts her on trial. When Libby gives birth to a new Reynolds heir, the circus only grows bigger. Meanwhile, Hollywood gets to work dramatizing the case with the aid of stars such as Claudette Colbert, Jean Harlow and Libby’s friend Franchot Tone.
(00:00) A Pre-Code Anti-Heroine
(04:53) A “Peculiar Opinion” of Jews
(11:09) Libby Testifies
(17:23) Indicted by Jury, Convicted by Media
(29:09) Who Actually Killed Smith Reynolds?
(34:19) Pre-Code Movies Inspired by Libby’s Story
(42:50) A Career Tainted by Scandal
(52:38) Jean Harlow as Libby Holman
(01:02:02) An American Tragedy
(01:09:11) Lupe Velez, Libby’s Nemesis
Libby Holman with baby Topper, March, 1933
SHOW NOTES:
Sources:
Dreams That Money Can Buy: The Tragic Life of Libby Holman by Jon Bradshaw
Libby Holman: Body and Soul by Hamilton Darby Perry
Lupe Velez: The Life and Career of Hollywood’s “Mexican Spitfire” by Michelle Vogel
Cole Porter by William McBrien
Sitting Pretty: The Life and Times of Clifton Webb by Clifton Webb and David L. Smith
“Murder Charged to Libby Holman,” The New York Times, August 5, 1932
“Reynolds Trial October 3 Expected by Defense,” The New York Times, August 21, 1932
“Can the South Give Libby a Fair Trial?” Lowell Limpus, Daily News, August 14, 1932
“Libby Wants Jury Trial to Clear Name,” Washington Herald, October 20, 1932
“Reynolds Child Weighs 3 1/2 Pounds,” Associated Press, January 11, 1933
“Libby Holman Comes Back to Stage Tonight,” Chicago Tribune, June 16, 1934
“Libby Holman to Leave Hedgerow,” Delaware County Times, September 18, 1934
“On Broadway,” Ed Sullivan, Daily News, November 21, 1934
“Walter Winchell on Broadway,” Walter Winchell, Syndicated, September 11, 1934
“Music Show Scores in Forrest Opening,” Philadelphia Inquirer, November 7, 1934
“The First Five-Star Show in History,” Walter Winchell, Daily News, December 3, 1934
“Torch Singer in Triumphal Stage Return,” Noel Thornton, Associated Press, December 11, 1934
“Libby Holman’s New Musical,” Andrew R. Kelley, Times Herald, November 8, 1934
“Father Charges Dope in Reynolds’ Divorce,” The Times, March 8, 1935
“Libby’s Shelterer Seeks Divorce,” Visalia Times-Delta, March 8, 1935
“Sally Rand in ‘Rain’; Libby Holman’s ‘Gypsy’,” Daily News, August 27, 1935
“Footlights Fame Libby Holman’s New Goal,” George Ross, The Pittsburgh Press, November 24, 1935
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Blanche Yurka Testifies Before Congress in 1938. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing, LC-DIG-hec-24031
Music:
The music used in this episode, with the exception of the intro, was sourced from royalty-free music libraries and licensed music collections. The intro includes a clip from the film Casablanca.
Excerpts from the following songs were used throughout the episode:
Quantum Jazz - Passing Fields
Kevin MacLeod - Blue Feather
Greenfire - Department Heads
Evan Viola - Serial
Chris Zabriskie - Land on the Golden Gate
Kevin MacLeod - Tikopia
Evan Viola - Sojourn
The Sweet Hots - Bangolet
Kevin MacLeod - Faster Does It
Warmbody - Cymbal Platter
Musique Libre de Droit Club - Easy Listening for Relaxing Moments
Switching Yard - Bucket Flats
Vermouth - Gin Boheme
Kevin MacLeod - Clean Soul
This episode was written, narrated, edited and produced by Karina Longworth.
Our editor this season is Evan Viola.
Research, production, and social media assistant: Brendan Whalen.
Special research assistance provided by Audrey Fox
You Must Remember This and “The Bisexuals” Logo design: Teddy Blanks.
Barbara Stanwyck in The Miracle Woman (1931) wearing a sheer dress that may have inspired press accounts of Libby Holman’s inquest outfit.