MOTHER OF ALL ROLES FOR REYNOLDS!

SINGIN’ in the Rain sweetheart DEBBIE REYNOLDS had been the toast of Hollywood — but by 1996, when ALBERT BROOKS co-wrote, directed and starred in the comedy-drama Mother, Debbie’s career had been in mothballs for decades. That changed when Brooks, now 75, wanted to cast a famous old-time actress to play his character’s quarrelsome mom. Nancy Reagan and Doris Day turned down the role, but Star Wars’ Carrie Fisher showed the script to her mom, and Debbie once again stole the show — only to go on to become GLOBE’s advice columnist!