Nelson Eddy…at last a screenshot that captures his emotion during the operatic number, “Czaritza”, with co-star Jeanette MacDonald, from the 1937 film Maytime. Thank goodness for today’s high-definition which allows us to see what was generally only spotted in 35mm theater prints of this film – and only if you knew precisely when to look closely and catch the light reflecting on Nelson’s tears. (In 16 mm prints and on VHS tapes, the picture quality was always slightly muddied and details like this were harder to spot.)
Art mirrored life at this time; in the film sequence the two characters loved each other but were forced to part. Same as it was in life, for Jeanette was recently engaged to actor Gene Raymond and Nelson tried in vain to get her to call off that marriage, warning her that she would regret it the rest of her life.
Did she live to regret it? There is much evidence to substantiate that in a big way. Even the naysayers who want to believe all the hundreds of happily posed shots of Jeanette and Gene over the years – have to ask themselves why Jeanette suffered breakdowns in the late ’40s and early ’50s. These were admitted to both in the press and by Jeanette herself in her autobiography. If so happy with her life, why would this normally optimistic, focused woman emotionally flounder and crumble?
Thanks to Kitty Job for catching the screenshot and to Katie Gardner for forwarding it to me, with this comment:
The guy is crying. This of course is right before she reaches up and strokes his hair…..So you know, either Nelson was ONE HELL of an actor or……he wasn’t!
Did Nelson Eddy make an appearance in the 1942 movie Cairo starring Jeanette MacDonald, Robert Young and Ethel Waters? You betcha! See the screenshots above for proof! Here’s the back story: in 1942, both stars had one project remaining under their MGM contract. Nelson, disgusted with studio head Louie B. Mayer, decided to buy out his contract instead before his last film, Lucky Star (which would have co-starred teenaged Kathryn Grayson) began production. Jeanette’s last film under her contract was the above-mentioned Cairo, a WWII spy spoof. Jeanette was initially far more upset and destabilized than Nelson by leaving the studio that had been her professional home since 1933. But director Woody Van Dyke found a way to cheer her up with one of his pranks – see the lifesize photo of Nelson hanging in the movie theater lobby during this scene with Jeanette, Robert Young and Ethel Waters.
Above, Jeanette MacDonald and Gene Raymond, along with the couple that honeymooned with them, Mary Pickford and Buddy Rogers. Others include Jeanette’s wedding party: Basil and Ouida Rathbone, Johnny Mack Brown and wife Connie, Allan Jones and his wife Irene Hervey, and Fay Wray.
Yes, we’ll admit it, it’s difficult sometimes to understand WHY the marital ties of Jeanette-Gene and Nelson-Ann occurred and endured for all the years it did. We will never totally understand it all as the existing written documentation is from the 1940s onwards. The many interviews done over the years give us insight into what Jeanette and Nelson themselves said to others. And of course, each saw it from their own viewpoint. As some have suggested, perhaps it was just easier to remain married. How many couples have you known that aren’t particularly happy together romantically but find it easier to keep the status quo? There is also the factor of theirs being “Hollywood” marriages, which is a whole different animal.
Here’s a link to an article that explores in more detail the Gene Raymond – Buddy Rogers connection. We don’t know whether Mary Pickford went into her second marriage wanting more than a handsome man on her arm as an escort and close companion. From many reports, Pickford apparently never never truly got over the love of her life, Douglas Fairbanks. Here’s the article to read, with many great photos, at this link.
Turner Classic Movies is showing the following Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy films. Please note that all times are Eastern.
January 19, Sunday, 10 am: MAYTIME
January 22, Wednesday: CAIRO (don’t forget Nelson’s cameo in this film – a large photo of him hangs in the theater lobby…watch for him!)
Note that throughout the month at various times, a clip of Jeanette and Allan Jones from THE FIREFLY can be seen in the short subject, MGM Parade Show #25.
Above: Jeanette MacDonald takes a bow after her Hollywood Bowl recital, September 1948.
We received an email from our club member Robert Sage:
I just received a listing of upcoming concerts at the University of Southern California. Among them: Friday, February 7 at 7:00 pm in the Alfred Newman Recital Hall (free admission): “Opera Scenes”. The description reads: “The singing actors of the USC Thornton Opera program present an exciting and wide-ranging selection of excerpts from grand opera to operetta featuring music from the work of American legend Jeanette MacDonald”.
For more information about this, go to this link. And thanks, Robert, for alerting us!
Thanks to Bernadette Schwartz, our founder and moderator…and to Cecilia Rodriguez, co-moderator and designer of the above artwork – gorgeous!
Thanks also to Patrice Messina for co-moderating…and all the members who keep the group lively and updated with news, discussion and research. Here’s to another 10 years of everything Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy!
You can contact Bern about joining the Yahoo group at this link…and its sister Facebook site here. In addition, the group’s Twitter page is here. Enjoy!
Thanks to Maria Escano for bringing this to our attention:
Hello Everyone:
Just got a kick out of Indian Love Call sung by Bing and Nanette in this TV episode of the Hollywood Palace, March 26, 1966. It starts at about 3:50
Bing Crosby and Nanette Fabray give us a musical history lesson and show that everything old is new again.
Apparently love duets throughout the years go something like this: cavemen uggs ? “Greensleeves” ? the minuet ? opera ? the Floradora Girls ? Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy ? “Baby It’s Cold Outside” ? discotheque uggs.
On behalf of myself and my family, I want to wish you a very happy and healthy New Year.
We are expecting some great Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy news in 2014…so stay tuned!
In the meantime, watch a wonderful video and musical tribute by Baz (Basil) Nelson on his YouTube Mac&Eddy channel. Baz has done a wonderful job faithfully posting up the music of Nelson and Jeanette. Thank you, Baz! (And thanks also to Di Taylor and the others who have done beautiful colorizations for his videos.)
As we wrap up our Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy year, we remember 3 of our longtime friends that we lost in 2013. (Pictured above are, from left to right, Harold Monroe, Laura Ward, Sharon Rich and Betty Monroe.)
Christine Souter was a Mac/Eddy Club member from the earliest years…a devout Nelson fan who accepted the Nelson-Jeanette romance but questioned Nelson’s activities in the later years wondering, as we all have, how it fit into the big picture. Obviously, we will never understand it all – but our driving force to try and learn everything possible has been helped tremendously with friends like Christine. Over the years, she shared much data with me, answered any questions she could, was caring and appreciative. Here’s a quote from one of her emails to me that I saved:
Sharon, I was so happy to see the journals in the mailbox today. They are gorgeous and all 3 at once are a bit overwhelming–but I love the feeling:) It’s been worth the wait. I realize it’s been tragic and stressful for you. Hopefully, with the good news about Jake, you’re due for some happy days and down time–I’ll bet you wish:)
Anyway, just wanted you to know how pleased I am with so many beautiful photos to sigh over and articles to read.
Thanks for all you do to keep us eager and interested. Take care, Christine Souter
Here’s a tribute written by Bern Schwartz, who runs our Yahoo Group:
i first met Christine Souter on a Jeanette and Nelson group in 2003- she was articulate and informative and had a delicious sense of humor- in 2004 at the request of sharon i started a yahoo maceddy group and she was one of the first members to join. she had been a nelson fan for many years before that and never shrank from sharing her great information with all who would ask.. whenever a new member would arrive and of course ask questions- she would be the first to answer -with a great knowledge of nelson and Jeanette-we did not always agree on conversations but were always friends..she made you think…i found her funny and full of spark that belied her years-and always straightforward…she was originally from Alabama as a child and then lived in millbrae ca. for most of her life. she had 2 children and two beautiful granddaughters and her cats and the squirrel too! after searching the archives of the yahoo group i was amazed at how often she had responded with detailed information of events.she will be missed by everyone but as a dear friend of hers has stated: “god now has an angel with attitude.” she loved nelson and gene autry and especially classic Hollywood and Steve Cochran- her interests were so varied but to me she was a friend and was also very kind …we all on the group who knew her these many years will miss her very much..b
Betty Monroe and her husband Harold were for many years a stable presence at our Los Angeles meetings. They had been members, like Christine Souter, from the very first. Harold has always been a jokester while Betty was a sweet, motherly woman who, like a gracious hostess, greeted everyone at the meetings with a smile and a hug. Then out of the blue, they didn’t show up for a club event. When I called afterwards to find out what had happened, Harold informed me that Alzheimers had very unexpectedly and swiftly robbed Betty of her memories.
Sometime later, I went to their home and visited…though she didn’t know me and didn’t speak, Betty was still her sweet, gentle self, smiling at me, surrounded with her Jeanette and Nelson treasures. I have since visited Harold since Betty’s passing and though he’s been through a very rough time, he welcomed me with some quips and jokes.
Marjorie Hadlock was the woman who set up the famous Lake Tahoe tour that is discussed in Journal #60. She also can be seen addressing the group on our Lake Tahoe YouTube video. This was an amazing feat to pull off – not only all the research necessary to find all the locations used in Rose Marie, but to arrange for special tours and knowledgeable guides and locals from the time (including the then-teen whose pet deer was used to frighten Jeanette in one scene). Marjorie also was amazingly able to include fans from all groups and managed (for the most part) to keep the peace even when discussing the then-local hangout where Jeanette and Nelson went dancing together.
To the families of the 3 people mentioned above – we send our condolences and best wishes for the coming year. From personal experience I can say that it’s very tough to move on…but the love and understanding of friends helps tremendously…our Jeanette and Nelson group has brought tremendous comfort in times of need…has created friendships among people who might never have known each other…thank goodness we have each other!
Those of you who would like to add your own tributes, please write a “comment” to this post.
The latest presentation written by Madeline Bayless and spoken by Linda Tolman is now uploaded to YouTube for your enjoyment. You can watch it below – and read the transcript here. Thank you, Madeline and Linda, for answering questions about the hideaway home we know from the Isabel Eddy letters as “Mists.”
To see other videos in the Master Class series, click here.
