Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy featured in Robert Osborne’s new book!

Leading Couples by Robert Osborne

The always wonderful Robert Osborne has a new book out, Leading Couples. And thank goodness he has a very nice section featuring Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy.

Here’s a quote from the book: “Although it has become fashionable in recent years to poke fun at the Jeanette MacDonald–Nelson Eddy musicals, in their day they were more than immensely popular. They were innovative. As much movie stars as they were singers, the pair brought a sense of youthful exuberance to films such as Naughty Marietta (1935) and Rose-Marie (1936) that had been missing in much of the genre. Although the operetta had been a staple in the early talking era, too much bad acting had driven audiences away. Even critically acclaimed adaptations, like director Ernst Lubitsch’s witty pictures with MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier, had fallen out of favor. Nelson Eddy’s sincerity helped bring back the romantic side of the genre. MacDonald had the good sense to know when to play it straight and when to insert tongue firmly in cheek.”

There are a few good photos, one in color, and a slight hint at something more than just friendship between them: “The only real MacDonald-Eddy feud was between their fan clubs.” He also notes that Nelson painted a portrait of Jeanette that was used in one of their films but mistakenly identifies the film as Bitter Sweet. It was, of course, Sweethearts.

This is an enjoyable book and another definitely recommended for your Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy collection!

Nelson Eddy’s Shortnin’ Bread Recipe

Nelson Eddy eating

Nelson Eddy’s Shortnin’ Bread recipe has been published in several places over the years but I thought you would enjoy it.

From an old movie magazine: “[Nelson Eddy] admits that much of his fan mail contains shortnin’ bread formulae from well-meaning listeners who try to fill his aching void. In desperation, Eddy conducted a month of experiments in his kitchen and now sends his own recipe for shortnin’ bread in retaliation. The pastry, a la Nelson:”

Prep time: 10 Min. Cook time: 25 Min. Serves: 18

Ingredients
4 cups sifted flour
1 cup light brown sugar
2 cups butter or other shortening
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions
Mix dry ingredients. Work in butter.
Press on a floured board to 1/2” thickness. Cut to shape and bake in a moderate oven, 20-25 minutes.

Link

Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy: Important Cruise Update! Make your reservation before November 12!

Our Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy cruise is going to be AWESOME!

We just received an important cruise update from Hallie: “Carnival is asking for all final deposits on new cabins by November 12th. Final payments for everything are due November 23rd. Can you send out an updated note to people – so that they don’t miss out on this? I will have to release a chunk of rooms that don’t have deposits by November 12—but I can hold on to some until November 23 – they just cannot guarantee them. We can, however, keep booking them after that point but at a slightly higher rate.”

This cruise is going to be amazing – we may have some other surprise guests but I’m not at liberty to say more than that – don’t miss out – call Hallie TODAY and discuss rooms, prices, etc., if you think you might be interested. Also, if you need a roommate, Hallie can help pair you up!

Contact her immediately at 212-874-1670 or email her at highctravel@yahoo.com.

See Jeanette MacDonald’s “Love Me Tonight” in a theater, free!

Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier in Love Me Tonight

A great deal for Jeanette MacDonald fans living in or near Culpeper, Virginia!

See her 1932 hit with co-star Maurice Chevalier tonight only, November 7!

Not only do you see it in a theater but admission is – free!

Long before Tom Jones and his burning heart belted out “Love Me Tonight,” this title was a racy movie musical from 1932.

Pulled from release a couple of years later because it was thought to be too suggestive, this exceptional, rarely seen silver-screen film premieres for free tonight at 7:30 in the Mount Pony Theater, and tickets are still available.

Talk about a cheap date.

“Love Me Tonight,” on the other hand, promises to be “wise, knowing, life-embracing, and absolutely beautiful,” says Larry Smith, nitrate film specialist at the Library of Congress National Audio Visual Conservation Center Packard Campus on Mount Pony.

Paris-born actor Maurice Chevalier stars as a poor French tailor who passes for royalty, and is apparently the Tom Jones type: wink, wink.

A young and pretty Jeanette MacDonald plays a lonely princess, who’s not just wasting away, but wasted.

Smith, who’s been watching movies for most of his 51 years, names “Love Me Tonight” as his all-time favorite, and not only that, “a cause for celebration.”

The movie, running 1 hour and 22 minutes, “is a madcap musical tour de force of infectious melody from first frame to last,” Smith says.

Check out No. 1 on his top 10 list of why “Love Me Tonight” rises to the top in today’s In & Around section. And reserve your seat for some culture in Culpeper by calling the Mount Pony Theater reservation line at 827-1079 ext. 79994.

Link

Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald: first sang together 75 years ago this week…

11/8/1933 IDN Eleanor Barnes
“Nelson Eddy, the young American baritone who was with the Philadelphia Philharmonic orchestra, and who has been under contract at MGM since last June, has been engaged for two concerts with the San Francisco symphony orchestra, according to announcement today. Eddy’s contract will expire at MGM the middle of December, after filling the western engagements he will make a concert tour of the principal cities of the United States. He will appear in San Francisco December 22 and 23.”

Note: between this time and the end of 1933, Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald sang on a birthday tribute to Marie Dressler and also saw each other socially…and Nelson was tested Jeanette’s upcoming film, Naughty Marietta. By the beginning of January, suddenly his option was renewed and he was named as Jeanette’s co-star.

Here is another newspaper blurb showing that they worked together in November 1933:

11/8/1933 EHE Radio
A special National Broadcasting Co. program will be broadcast with coast-to-coast hook-up. From New York this program will be re-broadcast by short wave to Europe.
Louis B. Mayer, chief executive of MGM will be toast master, and will introduce such notables as May Robson, Lionel Barrymore, Governor James Rolph Jr., Norma Shearer, Mary Pickford and Polly Moran. Those who will contribute musically are: Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Jimmy Durante and Harry Jackson. Pete Smith, MGM publicity director, is in charge of the program.

And this:

11/9/1933 LAX MARIE DRESSLER BIRTHDAY FETE ON NBC TONIGHT
By Ray De O’Fan
Strike me pink, but I’d never imagine she could be so active at 62 years! Yet they say Marie Dressler reaches that milestone today in life today.

NBC thinks so much of the birthday party arranged for her that it will broadcast the ceremonies from MGM studios this evening over a nationwide hookup at 8:30 o’clock for one hour. KECA is the local outlet. Shortwave stations will pick up the program and rebroadcast it in foreign countries.

Jeanette MacDonald, whose voice has enthralled millions of motion picture goers, is going to pay her tribute and extend congratulations through song. Her number or numbers have not been announced, but they will be typically Jeanette MacDonald and that satisfies any demand.

Nelson Eddy also sings, as does Jimmy Durante, Polly Moran will be herself and Harry Jackson’s NBC orchestra will play.

Louis B. Mayer is toastmaster and speakers include Governor James Rolph, May Robson, Lionel Barrymore, Mary Pickford, Norma Shearer and Miss Dressler.

«‹ 80 81 82 83›»