Update: April 26, 2023
In the 21st century, the age of digital magazines is upon us. Effective September 2016, we switched to print-on-demand magazine printing and ceased a formal club with paid memberships. All existing memberships of any kind ended with receipt of Journal #76. This was due to rising costs of printing glossy magazines as well as postage costs (particularly for those outside of the U.S.). We transitioned over to social media and maintain a large Facebook group. Our website remains open and active so anyone can enjoy the ongoing articles, news and information.
For those who love our magazines, we will continue to publish them as time permits and folks may purchase them individually as they are released. These magazines contain detailed interviews, photos and documentation of the Jeanette and Nelson research. Each magazine will now be available either as a gorgeous glossy magazine…but also as a digital, downloadable e-book (thus avoiding shipping costs). This will make it easier for our friends overseas to continue enjoying them. Make sure you join our mailing list and you will be notified as future magazines are released.
They are predicting that in 5-10 years there won’t be anymore printed magazines but we feel that there will always be a place for glossy, high quality collectible magazines. And unlike other magazine publishers who have quit print editions altogether, we have worked out a way to continue publishing in a viable manner.
Anyone is welcome to purchase anything on our website or attend any future live or virtual events, subject to our terms of service.
OUR HISTORY
The Mac/Eddy Club was the first ever to honor Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. The club began in 1977 – the first club ever for both stars. Our website went up early in 1996 – the very first one for either star on the Internet!
The purpose was to keep their names plus their artistic works and classic films in the public eye – and archived for generations to come. More than just a fan club, ours was a research hub where many people who had known or worked with the stars or the studios came forward with information.
Our glossy magazine in earlier years sold on newsstands and in cinema shops around the world. The Mac/Eddy Today issues contain much of the visual research, legal documents and transcribed taped or videoed interviews that documented the off-screen relationship of the two stars. Much of the source material used in the book Sweethearts is thoroughly documented in the magazine. For example, that biography might contain a line or two quote from a celebrity whereas the full transcription of that interview is published in the magazine.
In early years we also sponsored concerts around the country, and in keeping with the purposes of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, awarded scholarship monies to promising young operatic singers. We donated to various Hollywood history restoration projects and also sponsored “Nelson Eddy Drive” at Hollywood Forever. I’ve also done lectures and events at the American Film Institute, film festivals, music or theater fundraisers, libraries, high schools, colleges, senior centers and donated hundreds videos, books and magazines for their enjoyment. We once gathered over 20,000 petition signatures urging the United States Postal Stamp Committee to issue a MacDonald/Eddy stamp, a project featured on NBC News and in The New York Times.
The constant bickering and animosity between the original Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald clubs proved to be detrimental to the stars during their lifetimes. At one point in the mid 1940s Nelson was so angry at the co-presidents of one of his fan clubs for belittling Jeanette on a radio interview that he threatened to shut down ALL his fans clubs. We have seen written evidence that the fan club presidents from 1938 onwards were made fully aware that there was something going on personally between Nelson and Jeanette. Each one dealt with this forbidden issue in their own way – usually to publicly deny or ignore – based on the fact that Nelson and Jeanette never divorced their spouses so it was a topic that dared not be discussed. Nevertheless, it was as a team that Nelson and Jeanette had their greatest fame; their sometimes puzzling career choices had everything to do with what was personally going on behind the scenes. Laughable as it may seem today, back in 1977 it was a shocking novelty and sacrilege to honor them AS A TEAM. We further upset the old guard with our one simple policy: you may love either star but respect must be shown for both.
Below, our website screenshots from past years: from left to right 2011, 2000 and 1996.
Reviews:
The journal is beautiful! It’s as if Nelson and Jeanette are back with us again. I like the feeling of warmth and caring that comes from reading this journal. B.B.
What the world needs now is beauty and good taste. Congratulations on offering plenty of both through your fine club. May I always be a part of it. S.T.
I don’t know when I’ve looked forward so much to a publication. Nostalgia of a high order is a wonderful thing and I can’t thank you enough for the tremendous job you are doing. P.W.
Being an opera buff, I was embarrassed to admit I was also a Mac/Eddy fan. Thanks to you, I’ve come out of the closet. J.C.
I used to think that perhaps I was a little strange, holding onto my addiction to the “dynamic duo,” but it’s nice to know that there are so many people like me, all wanting to know all they can about Nelson and Jeanette. J.J.
Thank you for telling the truth. Those who love Jeanette and Nelson want to know all. You have done amazing research, and each and every journal is a treasure. L.C.
I love your magazine and am glad that others beside myself have not forgotten two enchanting people. A.L.
Click here to see all the magazines currently available.