Between the Covers

Hardcover. An archive of 37 books owned by actress, singer, and television host, Dinah Shore, 29 of which are Inscribed to her. Many of the books were given as gifts to Shore from guests of her Emmy award-winning talk shows: *The Dinah Shore Show* (1951-1963) *Dinah's Place* (1970–1974), *Dinah!* (1974-1980), and *A Conversation with Dinah* (1989-1992). Some Inscriptions included by Barry Goldwater, Margaret Truman, Art Buchwald, Roddy McDowell, and an original poem from Burt Reynolds.

Shore (1917-1994), who began her career in the late 1930s, joined Eddie Cantor’s radio show recording one of her earliest hits, “Yes, My Darling Daughter,” which sold 500,000 copies in 1941. With her star ascending she was cast in a number of films including her debut *Thank Your Lucky Stars* (1943) with Cantor; the ensemble films, *Follow the Boys* (1944) and *Till the Clouds Roll By* (1946); and starring roles in Danny Kaye's debut *Up in Arms* (1944), as well as *Belle of the Yukon* (1945) with Randolph Scott and Gypsy Rose Lee. She also lent her musical voice to two Disney films *Make Mine Music* (1946) and *Fun and Fancy Free* (1947). Throughout her career Shore had a long standing relationship with television through her numerous talk shows and specials, earning nine Emmys and ranking #16 on *TV Guide*’s list of the top television stars of all time.

The books, which date from 1939-1990, include a variety of authors and subjects including literature, art, humor, history, politics, child rearing, photography, and music but most notable among them is a small handwritten volume from Burt Reynolds with whom she was involved romantically in the 1970s. The then emerging man’s man actor was 38 when they started dating with Shore 20 years his senior. The relationship was a happy one and lasted four years with Reynolds later remarking that she was the love of his life. The charming book consists of a long handwritten poem by Reynolds, entitled “If You Were,” composed of a series of verses stating all the things he felt Shore would be, such as: “If you were a City … you would be Paris” and “If you were a Time of Day … you would be a Sunset.”

An interesting personal collection of books from the library of a groundbreaking female singer, actress, and television pioneer.

Item #398379