The Jeanette MacDonald version of “Smilin’ Through” (1941), in Technicolor and co-starring her off-screen husband Gene Raymond, and Brian Aherne, has been released on DVD!
Jeanette looks beautiful in color playing dual roles. Trivia alert: the cameo she wears in this film was her own – a gift to her from Nelson Eddy. It belonged to his great-grandmother and he added diamonds to it.
The original cast of this project was supposed to be Jeanette with Robert Taylor and Jimmy Stewart. But Stewart joined the army and Taylor went on a two-month vacation with his wife, Barbara Stanwyck. Brian Ahern was signed to replace Jimmy Stewart. Gene Raymond wasn’t signed until after the first week of filming!