The just-released March, 2012 Hollywood issue of Vanity Fair magazine features a section on diets of Hollywood stars from the 1920s until today.

Jeanette MacDonald is mentioned as using a “Ginger Ale and Ice Cream Diet.”

You will recall that in the late 1920s, Jeanette was underweight and visited a New Jersey live-in treatment center where she did nothing but drink tons of milk to GAIN weight.

Herbert Stothart, Jr., son of the MGM’s musical director during Jeanette’s studio years, said that whenever Jeanette came over to their house for a meal, “She ate like a bird.”

Nelson Eddy was promptly put on a diet when he arrived at MGM by none other than the studio mogul, Louis B. Mayer. When at the studio, Nelson’s diet consisted of coffee and Mayer’s mother’s chicken soup. That’s right, any time Nelson dined at the studio commissary he was presented with a bowl of soup. That was the entirety of his “diet.”

Other sources told me in passing that during the 1930s, more sinister diet secrets of the stars could include pills (such as was prescribed to teenaged Judy Garland), swallowed tapeworms and even heroin.

Jeanette’s “Ginger Ale and Ice Cream Diet” seems much more delightful than any of the above!

Thanks, Vanity Fair, for mentioning her!.

It’s 1928, and the success of Warner Bros’ musical, The Jazz Singer, has ushered in a new age of talking pictures. Audiences adored it, and it was sink or swim time for MGM. Suddenly, the silent cinema rule book was thrown out of the window and numerous opportunities opened up in Hollywood.

Composers were in demand, and song and script writers, along with voice coaches, were needed more than ever. White Shadows In The South Seas was the first MGM sound picture, although not a talkie. Originally filmed as a silent picture, MGM realised that sound wasn’t just a passing fad and, like most studios at the time, swiftly added sound effects to its music. But they did make one character speak – and that was Leo the lion, who roared for the first time.

The first MGM talkie picture, and the first MGM star to speak on the screen, was William Haines in crime drama Alias Jimmy Valentine. The film was only part talkie, but it was nevertheless a step in the right direction for MGM. The new technology meant a big change around for the studio – for some stars, their career was over, and for others it was just beginning. Stars like Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Robert Montgomery, Myrna Loy, Jeanette MacDonald, and Nelson Eddy were among them.

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The following is by Karen Starich who uses astrology to forecast the financial markets. Her premium service blends astrology with technical analysis to locate points of confluence and then highlights specific trades for subscribers.

Plato’s original concept of Utopia and a purely communist state can be found in his writings on “The Republic” 360 BCE. His work lays out the foundation for an idealized slave society where all property belongs to the state, and the people are assigned to their station in life by the ruling class.

Plato no doubt had his short comings, however his dear soul may have cleansed itself by now….hopefully. I admire Plato for another reason. Plato had a connection to a higher consciousness and understanding of the human soul that seems to contradict his philosophy of a perfect society.

The Split-Apart Theory

I will give credit to Plato for his split-apart theory, a topic I would rather write about, and that is “true love.” Plato was the first to reference that man is a part of one soul in which they are only half of. Plato described that the soul is “split apart” from an original ovoid. Each split apart half is a twin or “twin Flame” of the other, sharing many of the same personality traits, characteristics, and appearance. Each half is an exact duplicate of the other, they descend into form and one assumes the masculine and the other the feminine.

Every person has a unique pattern and no other soul in the universe can claim this oneness with you except your twin flame. Because you are only born once, spiritually.

America discovered twin flames in the Summer of 1941 with the cinematic and real life love story between Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald. A perfect match on screen and in real life. Seeing their love on screen and hearing it in their duets as their eyes told one another, and the whole world, the special love of twin flames. The story of twin flames can also be seen in the 1990?s film “The Butchers Wife.”

Many people spend a whole lifetime searching for their other half, as it is our intended destiny to reunite with our twin flame. When twin flames unite there is a magnification of the souls potential and power of creativity that cannot be achieved with another. Nelson and Jeanette were radiant on screen together.

The films they made singly are forgotten, but together they were able to tap their inner potential as twin flames united can, and their films broke box office records. Plato also warned of the difficulties the reunion can bring. Often the magnetism and likeness is so overwhelming the souls cannot emotionally handle the union. Unfortunately for Nelson and Jeanette her career ambitions and their strange combination of people and circumstances kept them apart for their entire lives.

It is hard to imagine how Plato could have two diametrically opposed theories of the human spirit. His theory of Utopia and a communist society diminishes the human spirit and oneness with the divine potential that is our destiny with our twin flame. Communism destroys creativity and the will to be, and fosters instead a death wish culture. Communism is anti-love, a matter golden age without spirit.

As we enter a new age and the year 2012 it is important to hold the concept of our highest potential and oneness with our other half, even if that one is not near. By doing so we can tap into our highest potential and change the course of events in the earth.

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Here’s a nice tribute to Jeanette, as published in UK:

Flashback to 1937 for grand reopening of Lincoln’s Ritz cinema

A fund-raising project to pay for the reopening of Lincoln’s Ritz cinema is under way and to help boost the coffers, the team behind the revamp will screen the first ever film which was shown at the venue….

The year was 1937. Neville Chamberlain became Prime Minister, the 999 emergency number was first introduced and The Hobbit was published sending shock waves through the world of literature.

Meanwhile, in Lincoln, The Ritz cinema in High Street opened its doors for the very first time, changing entertainment in the city forever.

The Ritz quickly became a bustling hub for residents, offering the latest cinematic releases and live entertainment.

And since the announcement from Off the Bench last week that the much-loved landmark would be reopened to the public, excitement from residents has been paramount, matching that of 1937.

On Saturday, February 22, The Ritz will celebrate its 75th anniversary.

And the Echo can now exclusively reveal that Off the Bench will be hosting a special screening of San Francisco – the first film ever shown at the cinema, starring Academy Award-winning and iconic actor Clark Gable.

While the original cinema seating has long-since been ripped away, temporary chairs will be set up to cater for the audience, although admission is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

For many, it will be the first chance to see inside The Ritz in 15 years. And bosses at Off the Bench hope those who attend the free event will be moved to pledge their support to the venue.

Pete Genders, chief executive officer at Off the Bench, said: “After some consultation with our Facebook steering group, the decision was made to screen San Francisco staring Clark Gable and Jeanette MacDonald.

“This has been chosen as it was the first film ever screened at The Ritz when they originally opened in 1937.

“The aim of the evening is to give local people and businesses a chance to view the building in the semi-derelict state that it is and give them an idea of just how much help and support is needed both manually and financially.

“We hope that from the evening we will find some local businesses who want to invest in this fantastic community project and also draw attention to our ‘sponsor a seat’ and season ticket appeal.”

As previously reported in the Echo, the refit of the cinema is expected to cost around £750,000. To help drum up funds, Off the Bench is appealing to local businesses to sponsor one of the 480 new seats for £100. Film fans can also buy an advance season ticket to the cinema for the same price.

It is hoped the cinema will be used as a social space while serving as a bridge between the local and migrant community in Lincoln’s city centre.

Architects and builders at Sam Reid Services Ltd have now completed building plans which are currently being compared with the original blueprints found at Lincoln Archives.

The theatre phone number is: 01522 837293 in case you would like to visit it or help out!

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You gotta love it!

Her twins are adorable and we just wonder how many folks mention the “Nelson Eddy” coincidence of her sons’ names.

We Nelson Eddy fans just have to chuckle!

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Listen to Nelson singing Christmas carols here.

From the Oakland Daily Tribune:

“I get it. I know I have really one distinction,” said Nick Clooney. “I know precisely, word for word, how my obituary will read:

“Nick Clooney, brother to Rosemary, father to George, died today. Period.”

With that out of the way, Clooney launched into a lively and memorable conversation — to call it a lecture sounds too dry and formal — for the Macomb Town Hall Lecture/Luncheon Series at the Ukrainian Cultural Center on Tuesday.

Clooney’s lecture was titled “The Movies That Changed Us: Reflections on the Screen.” Attendees heard a wealth of film facts and insights, but also a lot more as Clooney took questions from the audience after lunch, sharing stories about son George; George and Nick’s travels to Darfur to raise awareness; and why so many Clooneys (George, Rosemary, Betty) have gone into show business. “We always wondered that ourselves,” he joked.

Clooney said he was approached by a publisher about writing a book about movies. His first thought, he confessed, was “Who needs another book about movies?” But when the publisher asked how movies have changed his life, he got to thinking. “How many times have I said, ‘Here’s looking at you?’” He got to wondering “which movies changed our world or how movies were done.” The movie buff and the journalist were aroused and the book was born.

Clooney makes it clear up front that his list doesn’t have “Citizen Kane” or “Gone With the Wind.” Both are “one of a kind,” he said. They stand alone. However, there are other films that, if they didn’t break the mold, they made it, and not always positively.

D.W. Griffiths’ “The Birth of a Nation” is one example. The 1915 silent film centers on the Civil War and Reconstruction period. It had epic battle sequences and star power, but it also was “one of the worst things to happen in movies in our country,” Clooney said. Why? The film’s racist portrayals of blacks revived the Ku Klux Klan.

Clooney then jumped ahead a few years and noted, “Women became dominant in our motion pictures … which has not happened since.

“For eight of 10 years of the 1930s the top box office draw was a female,” said Clooney, citing a star-studded roster that still sparkles today: Bette Davis, Ginger Rogers, Katharine Hepburn, Shirley Temple, Hedy Lamarr and more. “(Women) had a zenith in the 1930s and it went downhill from there.”

Men still get the most money for films….

Another film of the era — 1932’s “Love Me Tonight” — Clooney calls the greatest movie musical ever made. The film starred Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald with music by Rodgers and Hart, including that classic “Isn’t It Romantic?” But the film, directed by Rouben Mamoulian, was revolutionary in how it integrated songs into the story.

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Please make sure at least one person in your car downloads these attachments/directions  so you have them at hand during the driving tour. You might also want to print this page and the three maps shown below.

1. The biggie – complete itinerary.  Download Driving Tour Directions

2. Tour etiquette and Information. Download Tour Etiquette & Info

3. Directions back from Isabel’s beach house to her home in Westwood (which is 5 minutes away from Jeanette’s Wilshire Comstock, the final stop on our tour). Directions: Porto Marina back to Wilkins

NOTE: Some people want to cram in as much sightseeing as they can, particularly visiting the graves of Nelson and Jeanette. The best way to do it is to visit Nelson on Saturday prior to the driving tour (as you’ll only be a few miles away from our starting point) and to visit Jeanette Sunday morning before the luncheon at Sportsmans Lodge. On Sunday as you drive back from Forest Lawn, you can make a quick stop en route to Sportsmans on S. Mariposa St., where Nelson boarded his horse and had a small hideaway home for himself and Jeanette.  If you want to see the graves plus have a mini-Hollywood tour as well, please download the following items:

4. Download Itinerary: If you want to visit their graves

5. Download Driving Directions Forest Lawn to Mariposa

6. Download Driving Directions from Mariposa to Sportsmans Lodge

7. Optional: If you want to go directly from Forest Lawn to the luncheon and skip Mariposa, Download Driving Directions Forest Lawn to Sportsmans Lodge

Please note that I have not included directions to the cemeteries. This is because I don’t know where you will be driving from.  So, below are general maps showing where they are. You can click on them to see larger photos.

Where Nelson is buried:

Where Jeanette is buried:

Details of the Mariposa home area:

Fan letter from "A Scandalous Affair"

A fan letter from the Altoona, PA Mishler Theatre production of the Jeanette MacDonald-Nelson Eddy story, “A Scandalous Affair” starring Hallie Neill and Theodore Lambrinos:

Dear Sharon

I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know I was at the showing of A Scandalous Affair at the Mishler Theatre in Altoona. My son took us and we had a wonderful time. Jeanette and Nelson would be proud to know their story was being told so lovingly and with truth.

Thank you for everything you do.

Eva, Patrick, Michele and Susie Irwin

Follow us at twitter.com/maceddyclub

Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy fans: Join me for a week of live-tweeting of what it’s like to be me – a film historian researching and interacting with anything and everyone that can provide more information about – you guessed it – Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy!

I meant to start this on Saturday while in Altoona, PA, for the performance of  “A Scandalous Affair.”  The Mishler Theater there has the original chandelier used in the 1937 Jeanette-Nelson movie Maytime. The story of how the theater got this amazing piece of movie history was what led to the show about their lives being produced there. Anyway, I attempted to take a photo of the chandelier with my new phone camera but was all thumbs attempting to upload the picture as a tweet.  There was so much going on that I never had a free moment from them on to try to tweet anything. But…considering that some very awesome stuff has happened since then, I’m going to return to the original plan and fill everyone in.

Follow the tweets at http://www.twitter.com/maceddyclub.