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Remembering Jeanette and Blossom

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The irony of two close sisters… both died on January 14. Jeanette, the baby of the family, died in 1965 and Blossom followed her in 1978. It’s because of Blossom Rock that we’re here today… she insisted the  Jeanette MacDonald-Nelson Eddy story be told, not the PR version. She’s pictured here apparently in her last TV role, a 1966 episode of Sherwood Schwartz’s “It’s About Time,” a caveman comedy. Thank you, Blossom. This is more how she looked when I knew her. We will remember…

Happy birthday, Nelson Eddy

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Happy 118th birthday, Nelson Eddy! “Ever since I was a little boy and used to sit in Grandma’s darling old kitchen and dream my boyhood dreams, I have been trying to find myself. Now I know that all the years of sorrow and suffering have been only as God intended…. My darling – how shall I explain the pure and Holy Spirit that possesses me when I hold your body – more precious than any priceless jewel?” Nelson Eddy in his diary to Jeanette MacDonald, 1946; excerpted from Chapter 24 of “Sweethearts,” free to download today with Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KTHKRGG/

Remembering Jeanette MacDonald and her sister Blossom Rock

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Today we remember Jeanette MacDonald, who died on January 14, 1965 at age 61.

We also remember her sister Blossom Rock, who died the very same date, at age 82, in 1978.

Two sisters who were close in life… and after Jeanette’s early passing, Blossom bravely determined that the sacrifices her sister made at the expense of her great love for Nelson Eddy should not be forgotten in history.

We are thankful that Blossom was persistent in wanting Jeanette’s real life to be known and understood, and that Jeanette be remembered in Hollywood history as a great movie star and singer and icon of her era.

Below, Blossom and Jeanette. Blossom was a character actress best known for her portrayal of “grandmama” in the 1960s TV series “The Addams Family.”

Listen to Jeanette MacDonald mp3’s:

Dream Lover

Italian Street Song

Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life (with Nelson Eddy)

Juliet’s Waltz Song

Indian Love Call (with Nelson Eddy)

Will You Remember (with Nelson Eddy)

Jeanette MacDonald

Abive: young Jeanette. Below: young Blossom, who used the stage name of Marie Blake until later years.

The two sisters…

Happy Holidays and music from Mac/Eddy!

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Jeanette and Nelson ChristmasBumping this post up for the holiday season. As we listen to endless replays of Bing Crosby in the malls, retirement homes, offices and radio, etc., one can only wish that Nelson Eddy’s Christmas album had received the love it deserved. Or that he (if not Jeanette MacDonald) had lived long enough to be publicly cherished in the 1970s and ’80s as nostalgic national treasures, as was the case with so many of the 1930s stars. But it was not to be, and both Nelson’s and Jeanette’s lives and remembrances remained shrouded with secrecy – and lies – which their legal spouses dragged out long after their deaths.

But we can celebrate Nelson and Jeanette this Christmas week with the love and hope and holiday spirit they brought to others while alive .. and still bring to new generations today.

Download or listen … and enjoy!

Nelson: Joy to the World

Nelson: Oh, Come All Ye Faithful

Nelson: Silent Night

Nelson: Deck the Halls

Nelson: O Holy Night

Nelson: White Christmas

Sadly, Jeanette MacDonald never recorded a Christmas album but we have one song she sang on a Christmas radio show.

Jeanette: Christmas Song

And finally….here is a video of Nelson singing “Silent Night” in German…as his Russian character in Balalaika sings to Austrian soldiers during a World War I truce…an event that really happened in history! Let us hope that we can learn from history and create peace in the coming year!

Thanks to Angela Messino for the graphic above based on a screenshot by Lynda Tucker.

Armistice Day 2018 centennial – we will remember

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Above we see a shot from “New Moon” with Nelson Eddy … and Buster Keaton to the right of him.

Buster Keaton was a WWI veteran. Today we celebrate Armistice Day 2018 … the 100 year anniversary. Through all my years of research I was lucky enough to meet and interview several Hollywood folks from the silent years and onwards who participated in WW1. For example, if you’re an old movie buff you’d probably recognize character actor Ian Wolfe (pictured below) who appeared in many great films (including “Maytime” and “The Firefly”). Wolfe was a WW1 vet and a client of my father’s.

I also met Buster Keaton (he was mostly cut out of “New Moon”), who lost much of his hearing during WW1 while fighting in France. Remembering that great generation today… thank you .

We already know the WW2 contributions made by Nelson and Jeanette. Let’s honor all these folks today:

Nelson – America.mp3

Jeanette – Star Spangled Banner.mp3

Jeanette MacDonald debuts on Broadway…

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The photo above is a closeup from Ned Wayburn’s “Demi Tasse Revue” which opened at the Capitol Theatre on October 24, 1919. Take a close look at the girl in the center of the photo…yes, she resembles Jeanette MacDonald but those dimples give her away. It’s Jeanette’s older sister Blossom, who spoke up to Wayburn and got Jeanette her first job in the same show. Below is the full lineup of dancing girls.

And a closeup from the program, showing her billing as Blossom McDonald, still using the original correct Irish spelling of their last name.

In this important show, George  Gershwin introduced his song “Swanee” while another actress had her own scandalous featured song. Recognize her?

It’s Mae West! But most important to readers here is Blossom’s younger sister, all of 16 when she landed her first small part. Already her beauty stands out above the others. Below, a signed portrait of Jeanette from 1920; note she’s still spelling her name “Jeannette.” But don’t be fooled by her waif-life beauty, the set of her chin and those determined eyes reflect a young girl ready for stardom.

 

Happy Birthday, Nelson Eddy! (1901-1967)

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Celebrating the 117th birthday of Nelson Eddy, the most famous baritone of the 20th century. He was the first “crossover” opera singer to become a major movie star and virtual rock star of his day.

Above, Nelson’s 37th birthday on the set of “Sweethearts” (1938) with his pregnant co-star/girlfriend/future secret wife Jeanette MacDonald. Posing here with a dog and her new puppies was no random coincidence as they were expectant parents at this point in time.

In 1933 when he first went to Hollywood, Nelson at first planned to make a couple of films and then return to the opera and concert life. Then his world changed completely when he met Jeanette MacDonald and their lives spun off into a totally different direction. Later he would write a song based on his love for her, shocking fans by singing such passionate lyrics on his radio show: My Wonder One.

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