Debbie Reynolds’ Musical Topped the Box Office in July 1964

On July 19, 1964, a film with a direct connection to the legend of the Titanic was ruling the U.S. box office. That week’s No. 1 movie, adapted from a 1960 Broadway musical, became one of the standout showcases of Debbie Reynolds’ celebrated screen career: “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.”

Directed by Charles Walters, the musical comedy takes inspiration from the life of Titanic survivor Margaret Brown, though it plays fast and loose with history. In the movie, Molly is discovered as a baby in the Colorado River, then grows into a larger-than-life heroine whose journey takes her from saloon singer to the wife of a wealthy miner. Along the way, she clashes and charms her way through encounters with her husband’s old mining companions and European high society before eventually boarding the Titanic, where she helps save lives during the ship’s catastrophic sinking.

The real Margaret Brown was, in fact, a wealthy socialite whose fortune was tied to mining, but her actual story differed in many major ways from the film’s playful version. After the Titanic disaster, however, Brown did become an essential advocate for poorer survivors, helping raise money and support for those who needed it most. She continued to work as a philanthropist and activist throughout much of her life. It may not be as cinematic as the famous door scene in James Cameron’s “Titanic” — where Brown is portrayed by Kathy Bates — but in real life, her efforts were arguably far more meaningful.

Although “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” did not appear on Looper’s list of musicals you need to watch right now, its place in the genre remains significant. Beyond its strong box office performance, the film earned six Academy Award nominations, including a best actress nomination for Debbie Reynolds.

Reynolds had already built an impressive résumé by that point, with beloved classics such as “Singin’ In the Rain” and “Tammy and the Bachelor” to her name long before she later annoyed some “Love Boat” cast members during a guest appearance. Even so, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” brought her the only Oscar nomination of her career. The film also earned Academy recognition for cinematography, art direction, costume design, set decoration, and music, placing more than a dozen behind-the-scenes artists in the awards-season spotlight.

The film also found success outside the Oscars. Harve Presnell, who reprised his Broadway role as Molly’s husband Johnny, won a Golden Globe for most promising newcomer. For musical lovers who are also fascinated by Titanic history, “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” remains an easy recommendation — and it is currently available to stream for free on Tubi.