“Gidget” author wrote “Three Daring Daughters”

Frederick Kohner’s daughter talks about being “Gidget”, her father’s best-selling book and his screenwriting career.

“Kohner was a screenwriter in Hollywood. In 1939, he was nominated for best writing original story in ‘Mad About Music,’ in which a young woman at a boarding school in Switzerland writes herself letters from an imaginary explorer-adventurer father.

His credits include numerous stories such as ‘Bride for Sale,’ ‘The Men in Her Life,’ and ‘Three Daring Daughters’ that were made into films starring some of the greatest leading ladies of the day, including Loretta Young, Jeanette MacDonald and Rosalind Russell. His style of writing about spunky women was perfectly suited for ‘Gidget,’ and the book became a national bestseller, reaching seventh on the chart, above Jack Kerouac’s ‘On the Road.’:

Link to complete article

UK singing show starring Rebecca Caine will feature Jeanette MacDonald songs…

Rebecca Caine in London’s West End “Phantom of the Opera”

The tribute performances seem to be coming up more frequently these days…

For those of you in the UK, you might want to catch this show. Rebecca Caine is a Canadian soprano who has appeared with major opera companies and in London’s West End musicals. She is performing in May in a show called “Hollywood Ladies.” Among the singers whose songs are showcased is Jeanette MacDonald.

In this photo from her website, Rebecca Caine (as Christine) and other singers from the London West End production of “Phantom of the Opera” pose with the Queen Mother.

Link to press release 

Documentary exposes manipulative tactics of MGM & Louis B. Mayer

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Last year I read an article in “Vanity Fair” about a documentary film entitled “Girl 27” about a dancer at MGM named Patricia Douglas who was raped by an MGM sales rep at an MGM-sponsored convention in 1937. She sued…but the power of MGM and in particular, studio boss Louis B. Mayer, resulted in the case – and the girl – vanishing. The original “Vanity Fair” article can be read here.

I finally had occasion to rent this film on DVD and I have to say, it was devastating. It is difficult at times to watch and not necessarily a perfect film…but its stark quality allows the victim to finally have her say and set the record straight. If you never believed a studio could wield such power over peoples’ lives, you need to watch it. Can’t understand why Jeanette MacDonald, in particular, followed Mayer’s wishes and gave up marrying Nelson Eddy “for her career”? Watch this and understand the viciousness of Mayer and his thugs. It will help you understand what these stars were up against.

You can probably reserve this movie from your local library, rent it from Blockbuster or Netflix, or purchase it from Amazon at the link below. Any way you do it, I highly recommend watching it.

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