Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy Blog » DVDs

Nelson Eddy’s “Rosalie” available on DVD

maceddy — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 11:44:38 +0000

Nelson Eddy’s 1937 film “ROSALIE” (co-starring Eleanor Powell) has been released on DVD by Warner Bros. (Yes, MGM mogul Louie B. Mayer would be turning over in his grave to know that his rival Warner Bros. now releases the MGM library on DVD!)

You can order it by clicking on the photo above.

Enjoy!

Reviews still coming in for the Lubitsch/Jeanette MacDonald DVDs

maceddy — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:37:07 +0000

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His first sound film was The Love Parade, made in 1929, the first truly “talkie” year. His use of camera movement is only slightly constrained in this operetta starring Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald. The following year’s Monte Carlo was another leap forward, with its famous “Beyond the Blue Horizon” number, in which train sounds set the rhythm, leading to Jeanette MacDonald’s vocal and the choral backing of farmers as the train speeds by their fields. The Smiling Lieutenant (1931) is similar in tone and subject to The Love Parade, with an even smoother execution. And One Hour with You (1932) — a remake of The Marriage Circle (1924), one of Lubitsch’s best silents — is arguably the greatest of the four.

The “argument” is largely a matter of casting. Chevalier was known as “the French Jolson,” and, like the American Jolson, his style and persona have (to be kind) dated badly.

In addition to his often impenetrable accent, Chevalier’s repertoire of rolling eyes, raised eyebrows, smug grins and jaunty chuckles make his whole act somewhere between irritating and intolerable. Monte Carlo benefits hugely by having Jack Buchanan (The Band Wagon) in what would otherwise have been “the Chevalier role.”

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What shall I watch tonight? How about “Love Me Tonight”

maceddy — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:34:01 +0000

A blog called “What Shall I Watch Tonight?”

And then there’s Love Me Tonight (1932), a pre-Code classic from Mamoulian and one of the best musicals ever. Jeanette MacDonald, Maurice Chevalier, Myrna Loy, C. Aubrey Smith, Charles Ruggles, even Gabby Hayes(!) when he was still just plain ol’ George. Highlights: the incredible opening scene where Paris awakens, MacDonald in a nightgown so deliciously transparent it belongs in a stag movie, and the “traveling” melodies “Isn’t It Romantic?” and “Mimi”, both courtesy of Rodgers and Hart. In time, Rodgers came to detest Hart, MacDonald came to loathe Chevalier and I wasn’t too crazy about Mamoulian after working eight months deciphering his rambling tales of Hollywood yore. But – art lives on long after old grudges die, and this film is proof of that.

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Documentary exposes manipulative tactics of MGM & Louis B. Mayer

maceddy — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:52:19 +0000

Last year I read an article in “Vanity Fair” about a documentary film entitled “Girl 27″ about a dancer at MGM named Patricia Douglas who was raped by an MGM sales rep at an MGM-sponsored convention in 1937. She sued…but the power of MGM and in particular, studio boss Louis B. Mayer, resulted in the case – and the girl – vanishing. The original “Vanity Fair” article can be read here.

I finally had occasion to rent this film on DVD and I have to say, it was devastating. It is difficult at times to watch and not necessarily a perfect film…but its stark quality allows the victim to finally have her say and set the record straight. If you never believed a studio could wield such power over peoples’ lives, you need to watch it. Can’t understand why Jeanette MacDonald, in particular, followed Mayer’s wishes and gave up marrying Nelson Eddy “for her career”? Watch this and understand the viciousness of Mayer and his thugs. It will help you understand what these stars were up against.

You can probably reserve this movie from your local library, rent it from Blockbuster or Netflix, or purchase it from Amazon at the link below. Any way you do it, I highly recommend watching it.