DVR alert: Rose Marie on TCM April 17
Set your DVR/VCR!
ROSE MARIE starring Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy.
Date: April 17.
Time: 1:15 pm Eastern time.
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Russian TV Documentary Honors Jeanette MacDonald
Here is a link to watch video from Russian TV. The show is called Legends of World Cinema and this episode is dedicated Jeanette MacDonald. It aired on November 25, 2012.
I would like to thank Di Taylor for bringing this video to my attention and Inga Gruzdeva for providing the link and translating the narrative part of the show:
Here starts a walk in the Hollywood jungle, where even butterflies can be iron. Today, you will see a brilliant Jeanette MacDonald Magnificent. In 1930 years she appeared on the California coast, and for a long time was kept in Luis Mayer collection. He deprived her freedom, but the exchange of the independence for the popularity was quite normal for Hollywood. Three daughters of Philadelphia businessman Daniel MacDonald were engaged in singing and dances. When Jeanette has growing up she went to Broadway. She has begun with a chorus line. Before to become the butterfly, she was a caterpillar and did everything to achieve a success. Finally she had luck; the leading actress has fallen off from a stairs and has broken a leg. Leading actresses, as a rule, do not fall; usually they are helped by the best girlfriends. No, no, I do not insist on anything. Certainly to Ms. MacDonald it has no attitude. Public has accepted her excellently, she have paid a lot of money. Her name was shone in a big letters on a building. She stood a long time and looked at her name; she knew she would not rest on its laurels.
Soon her photos were seen by director Ernst Lubitsch. He said: ‘ If this girl is still able to sing, I shall make her a star of musicals and if she is not able to sing all the same I shall make her a star”. Lubitsch treated his actors as the dolls. All pitied the poor girl that she would have to work with the person who has such awful character. On the set Lubitsch was expected with an unpleasant surprise. The girl really has a character. Once he cut her name and called her “Mac,” in response, she called him “Lu”. All waited for a scandal, but Lubitsch said nothing. And since then, he always called Jeanette miss MacDonald. “Miss MacDonald, shut up, Miss McDonald, what a crashing bore you are!” Lubitsch was supported in all things by French chansonnier Morris Chevalier. Jeanette rejected him, and he revenged her for it. She was going crazy only at one thought that she and Chevalier might be together. She hoped that they will not be removed together any more, but she was mistaken very much. They starred in 4 Lubitsch films.
Jeanette’s musical numbers were mini masterpieces. Critics wrote that her singing and gestures are much more French and seductive than allow her Philadelphia upbringing. For a star her daily routine was amazing and more resembled the monastic charter. She got up at 6:00 am, was engaged with a ballet bar, then a light breakfast – warm milk and fruit. At 7:00 am she was already in a make-up room and at 8:00 am on a set. At 10:00 pm she went to bed. She kept men at arm’s length, being afraid to harm her career. Men in revenge have nicknamed her the Iron Butterfly and hid the scars left by her pointed wings.
When Jeanette was invited to appear in the film Naughty Marietta she said that she will choose a partner by herself – young, tall, blonde with blue eyes, who knows how to read music. She was told that there was such an actor – height 182 cm, 33 years old, blond with blue eyes, an opera singer, full-bodied. She agreed to this proposal.
Soon director Woody Van Dyke began to lose his patience. He said: “I’ve handled Indians, African natives, South Sea Islanders, rhinos, pigmies and Eskimos and made them act – but not Nelson Eddy!” Jeanette and Woody have made tremendous efforts to help Nelson. “Naughty Marietta” made a mad success. The press has congratulated readers with a new duet – Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy.
Van Dyke did not doubt of Jeanette qualifications, but Nelson still caused doubts. When began filming Rose Marie, he advised Janette to pay attention to Allan Jones – he is handsome, perfectly sings and moves like a leopard. But she stopped up her ears, she can imagine as sergeant Bruce nobody but Nelson.
The film was shot on location at Lake Tahoe. Jeanette and Nelson lived in a small house surrounded by relict pines. Situation was conducive to romance. And once Nelson has presented a ring to Jeannette. She was sure that he would marry her. In the books, if a man gives a ring to a girl, he will marry her. But it is only in books.
Their romance Mayer took as a personal insult and demanded put an end to that. “There is only one image of Jeanette – an innocent angel, but an angel cannot have children”. And she continued to live with her mother and three dwarf poodles. Rose Marie enriched the MGM with a few million dollars. Critics wrote: This is something completely unique in the movies. When they sing, you forget about everything, even about the authors of an operetta and film. ”
Collection of movie stars gathered Mayer, testified that he was very authoritarian and had no sense of proportion. There is a dangerous mix. “Miss MacDonald, I need your advice. Yes, at 2:30 AM, yes, in my office. Well, why should we quarrel? One head of the studio is ready to give up the family and join his lot with one of his actresses. Well, what do you say about this? Just do not say that marriages made in heaven. This idea is old. “- “It was a dream, it was a dream, a bad dream,” – Jeanette convinced herself .” “Miss MacDonald? Hello? Silence is a sign of the answer” yes?”
It is a fact that the dream with Louis Mayer could be only a nightmare. Jeanette was looking for protection in Nelson, invited him to her place and was surprised that her very loyal mother did not hide her contempt for him. This is a monstrous misunderstanding. Some day they will become friends. Nelson is a great guy, he just needs time. Jeanette did not want to press him and just waited.
Jeanette wanted to film with dramatic actors Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy as co-stars. Mayer could let her pleasure. The film was called San Francisco. Viewers in whole approved the film but it seemed to them, that there is something illogical. Clark Gable and Jeanette MacDonald? Public had hoped that suddenly Nelson appeared from somewhere and he will take away Jeanette from Clark Gable and they will sing a song against the background of a decline. That would be correct.
Oh, but what happens? Is Miss MacDonald married? Her fiancé was actor Gene Raymond, by the way blue-eyed blonde too. And this time, Mayer did not mind, he personally organized the ceremony. He said: “The whole world will talk about this wedding.” The wedding ceremony was attended by many celebrities. “But you were not there? Well, do not worry, do not cry. I know a guy who would sell his soul to escape from this pompous event. His name is Nelson Eddy. You are familiar with him, aren’t you? Certainly he is our old friend. Mayer forcibly dragged him shouting, “Your contract states that you have to participate in promotions. Believe that this is one of them!”
Nelson forced himself to congratulate the newlyweds and sang I Love You Truly, and then finally wilted. Fans believed that the wedding was just a publicity stunt and actually their idols Jeanette and Nelson were not separated. It followed that the couple has not yet exhausted its commercial potential. But Jeanette thought otherwise. She asked Mayer to give her another partner, but he said no, “you will be working with those with whom the audience wants to see you.” Mayer openly was enjoyed the situation. “Marriages are made in heaven,” – he reminded her on occasion. He decided to pay her back, and with interest.
During the filming of “New Moon,” they were so engrossed in each other that once again decided to marry and it was unclear why they told about it to Mayer. He decided that the actors are not in themselves, so the punishment was not too severe.
Jeanette was already 36 years old, but she had to play the young girls. Critics suggested her to take a break, and mentally she agreed with them, but she had a contract. Nelson too was not become younger. Their last collaboration was the musical “I Married an Angel.” Everybody and even Mayer himself named this film “Mayer’s Money, Thrown out on a Wind”, therefore Mayer has cut off a cord forced his puppets to dance. Initially, Jeanette did not notice right away, she was very busy: concerts, recordings, radio and television shows. And then it turned out that she was necessary to nobody. Time has not been kind to Nelson too. When Jeanette met him on television, she burst into tears, so changed was her prince charming.
Jeanette tried to give serious attention to the music; she took music lessons at the famous opera singer Lotte Lehmann. At first she was skeptical about her pupil, but then said that Jeanette could be a real opera singer, if she began earlier. But her note A can be praised. Yes, if she have the time and health. It began to fail more often.
Butterflies do not live long, and the iron butterflies are not exception. But death does not prevent Jeanette MacDonald to win new fans around the world. I believe you also will refill their ranks, endlessly listen to her intonation, scrutinize her face, or a pattern on her dress.
Anna MacDonald’s Tapioca Pudding Recipe
According to Jeanette MacDonald’s cousin, Katherine Rice Pickins, Anna MacDonald (Jeanette’s mother) was a “very good cook.” Katherine recalled visiting her aunt at the house on Arch St. in Philadelphia: “I remember going there for dinner and they had chicken pot pie…. Whatever you were going to have for dinner she put on a blackboard in the kitchen so you knew ahead of time what you were getting. She was the only person I ever knew who did that.” (excerpted from the book Sweethearts).
We don’t have Anna MacDonald’s recipe for chicken pot pie but we do have her tapioca pudding recipe. Here it is:
Anna MacDonald’s Cream Tapioca Pudding
Soak 3 tablespoons tapioca in warm water for two hours, then stir it into one quart of boiling milk. Let it boil fifteen minutes. Beat together the yolks of four eggs and one cup of sugar, stir them into the pudding and flavor with vanilla. Pour into a warm baking dish. Beat the whites of the eggs with three tablespoons sugar to a stiff froth. Spread this over the pudding and bake five minutes or until top is brown.
Nelson Eddy’s Rice Pudding Recipe
Nelson Eddy’s Rice Pudding
1/2 cup rice
1 quart milk
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs (yolks)
1 tsp butter
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
Cook rice in 1 cup of water very slowly until rice is soft, drain well. Place in baking dish and add sugar, butter, milk, salt, beaten egg yolks and vanilla; mix well and bake in a moderate oven (325 degrees) very slowly.
Raisins and diced dates may be added. The egg whites may be made into a meringue, spread lightly on top of the pudding, placed back in oven for a few minutes until the meringue is a light brown.
Jeanette MacDonald’s Basic Philadelphia Ice Cream Recipe
Jeanette MacDonald loved ice cream and made her own at home in a variety of flavors although peach was a favorite. Here is the basic recipe:
Philadelphia Ice Cream
Prepare and chill fruit mixture which consists of 2 cups (or 1 1/2 cups) mashed fruit and 1 cup sugar.
Partially freeze a mixture of 2 beaten eggs, 2 cups coffee cream, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup sugar, about 7 minutes. Then add fruit mixture and freeze for another 7 minutes, or until electric freezer begins to labor.
The above quantity makes 2 quarts. If you are not serving the ice cream immediately, remove the paddle and repack with ice and salt. Be sure not to get salt in ice cream mixture. Be sure to put plenty of salt with the ice cream when packing.
Listen to Nelson & Jeanette Easter Music
This weekend marks religious holidays for at least two religions. It’s a time for reflection and hope for peace on earth. For those observing Easter – and everyone else – let’s listen to Jeanette and Nelson. Sound quality isn’t the greatest but let’s be thankful we have these recordings at all to enjoy. (The Jeanette one is from a 1949 radio show.)
Jeanette MacDonald: Christ the Lord Has Risen
As for the photo above…well, it’s just a beautiful, intimate shot of them.
Russian blog honors Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy
Here’s a beautiful website with gorgeous high-resolution photos of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. I ran the text through Google translate and came up with the following rough translation:
Jeanette MacDonald: flower scented prairie
Sometime in the beginning of the last century without Jim songs from the operetta “Rose Marie” just did not do any operetta evening. “Oh Rose Marie, of Mary, fragrant prairie flower …” (author – Rudolf Frimley, with the participation of the composer Herbert Stotgarta, 1924). This operetta was all original – from the music, bright and colorful, and up to an unusual musical comedy detective story. But the last half-century, this great (previously always called that way) operetta was completely forgotten. Forgotten and beautiful romantic film “Rose Marie”, based on the operetta. The main roles are played by Hollywood star couple there 1930-40’s Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. Becoming the “pioneers” of the genre of musical adventure comedy they co-starred in only eight music hits, but the impact of these films makes them cultural icons. Today, after more than 60 years after their last movie filmed together, they are still instantly recognizable and often copied. Whenever the TV show they want to show the romance of the era operetta necessarily performed one of the arias Jeanette (unfortunately, not in our country.)
***
While millions were convinced that MacDonald and Eddy were “made for each other,” a duet of the movies did not materialize. The crew called them “parrots, lovebirds,” but Hollywood tough laws did not allow them to marry. Studio boss Louis B. Mayer was against the marriage bond between Nelson and Jeanette, because I thought that the wedding between the audience ruin romantic dreams about each of the artists. But deep mutual chuvtva were. Served as a source of information older sister Jeanette – Blyusum Rocky [Blossom Rock]. She argued that the relationship between Eddie and MacDonald began in 1933 and lasted, with some interruptions to Jeanette’s death in 1965. Many letters and personal records Eddy was cited in the book “Lovers” Sharon Rich. They came to the movies in different ways from different walks of life. Prior to his Hollywood career Nelson sang in opera and performed major classical works that are in the world and American culture classics: works by composers such as Richard Strauss, Alban Berg, and Ottorino Respighi. Jeanette, on the other hand, began as a chorine, who sang and danced in Broadway musicals. A few years later their paths parted forever. After the death of Jeanette in 1965 Eddie strongly handed. January 31, 1960 in “The Night radio show on the issue of relations with Jeanette, he replied simply:” I love her. ” According to his accompanist Bob Hunter, Eddie MacDonald sang a special song each of his evening performance.
Baritone Theodore Uppman said that in 1947 he saw a couple together and the conversation that evening touched on that Jeanette was pregnant from Eddie, but he can not get a divorce. Nelson was also married to a mentally unstable woman, Ann Franklin, who blackmailed him into marriage, threatened to disfigure and Jeanette promised to make a scandal in the press, if Nelson with her divorce.
Ironically Janet MacDonald eventually married Nelson, but it was not Eddie. That’s such a sad story!
Eddie Nelson wrote a biographical screenplay about Chaliapin, in which he would play a leading role, but the film never entered production.
***
Jeanette Anna MacDonald was born June 18, 1903 in Philadelphia, and was the youngest of three daughters of Daniel and Anna Wright MacDonald. The father was a businessman in Philadelphia, and his mother – a housewife. All three daughters MacDonald studied singing and dancing lessons. And all three girls gave their hearts to the world of art. (The older sister, Elsie (Bernard J. Scheiter) was a pianist, and eventually opened her own school of dance and music. Middle sister, Blossum, toured in vaudeville under the name of “Rock and Blossum” with her husband, Warren Rock. At 30 -s, she starred in a number of supporting roles in several films. later she appeared on TV as a Blossum Rock (for example: the role of the grandmother in “The Addams Family”). “My mother and father were wonderful” – says Jeanette later – “They are always helped and never stood in my way. ”
***
Already back in 1993 on Valentine’s Day PBS stations across the country (USA) passed hour premiere, specifically titled “Nelson and Jeanette: America’s Singing Sweethearts,” producer Elaine Goldstein. The program represents the former MGM star Jane Powell. The “Washington Post” critic Tom Sheles called the program “a nice and sparkling,” and added that “even cynics should be able to see how to make communication so attractive.”This celebrity couple has affected millions of hearts, inspired countless young people to follow a musical career and made classical music, met her many who may have never heard of or an interest in it.
Click on the photo above to visit the blog.
Risë Steven Passes at 99
Risë Stevens, the last surviving movie co-star of Nelson Eddy, passed away on March 20, 2013. From the New York Times obituary:
Risë Stevens, the internationally renowned mezzo-soprano who had a 23-year career with the Metropolitan Opera, where she practically owned the role of Carmen during the 1940s and ’50s, died on Wednesday at her home in Manhattan. She was 99.
Her son, Nicolas Surovy, confirmed the death.
On the Met’s roster from 1938 to 1961, Ms. Stevens was a superstar in an era when operatic superstardom was conferred mostly on sopranos and tenors. A Bronx native from a modest background, she was widely admired as a populist who help democratize the rarefied world of opera. She was known to a large public not only through her recordings and recitals, but also through her appearances on radio and television and in motion pictures.
After retiring from the stage, Ms. Stevens had a prominent second career as an arts administrator with the Met and as president of the Mannes College of Music in New York City.
As a singer, Ms. Stevens was known for her acute musicianship, her expansive repertory, her accomplished acting and, in particular, her warm, velvety voice. (In 1945, Lloyd’s of London insured her voice for $1 million.) Though she occasionally sang Wagnerian roles early in her career, she soon abandoned them in favor of the less heavy, though no less rich, parts to which her voice was ideally suited….
In Hollywood, she sang in “The Chocolate Soldier” (1941), with Nelson Eddy, and in “Going My Way” (1944), with Bing Crosby; she also supplied the voice of Glinda the Good Witch in the animated film “Journey Back to Oz” (1974). On television, she appeared often on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Tonight Show.”
Despite her acclaim, Ms. Stevens was by all accounts a down-to-earth diva, as comfortable singing Broadway musicals — as she did in a 1964 production of “The King and I,” by Rodgers and Hammerstein, at Lincoln Center — as she was singing Bizet. As the magazine Opera News wrote in 2006, Ms. Stevens “was perhaps one of the sanest big opera stars of her time.”
Ms. Stevens recorded a record album with Nelson of “The Chocolate Soldier” and was a guest star on his radio show.
Read an interview excerpt here from Mac/Eddy Today magazine with Ms. Stevens regarding Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald.
Her “Electric Hour” appearance with Nelson is available here.
The New York Times obituary is can be read here.
Listen to Risë Stevens and Nelson Eddy sing “My Hero” from The Chocolate Soldier here.
And finally, below is a snapshot of Ms. Stevens at age 98! We understand she was active throughout her 90s and we are glad she had a happy and long life! She was one of those few great opera voices that found success in movies during an era when opera and Hollywood didn’t normally mix well. She preferred to return to opera, though, and said she regretted that Nelson didn’t do the same when his film career ended.
Below is a video interview with Rise Stevens from 2011.
Reminder: Join us on Long Island this Saturday!
This is the lovely flyer designed by Grace Webster for the upcoming meeting this Saturday at the home of her sister, Maria Escano. If you live in the area, you can print a PDF high-resolution version of it and give it to friends, post it at your library, etc. Thank you, Grace!
More details of the meeting are at this link.
Nelson Eddy – 1901-1967 – We Will Remember…
Gorgeous man…gorgeous voice…if Louie B. Mayer were around today, he’d no doubt still be scratching his head wondering what the fuss was still all about with “the baritone.” But of all the great MGM stars, there are no two more fiercely remembered, loved, defended and enjoyed into the 21st century than Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald.
Please post your comments and memories.