pastfoxy

I must thank TCM for their showing of the films that Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy did together. They were thoughly enjoyed by many. Perhaps in June, around the birthdays of these actors, we may get to see the Documentary that was done on these two Hollywood greats. Either way, our compliments to TCM and Mr. Osborne for coming forth with such wonderful entertainment for their fans.

Oh, Firefly in Sepia! I sure would have enjoyed seeing that. Good to know the print is still around, just in few circles. Wonder why TCM does not have a copy of that? Thanks for the information.

First couple to be honored on TCM? Thank you for that information. Interesting. I didn't know that. A good choice by TCM.

Jerry, you said~~~Perhaps this should be posted elsewhere but I wish to avoid the controversy over the various biographies. I'm glad you brought this point up. If you read on the other discussion about Jeanette and Nelson you will see the controversy has absolutley nothing to do with various biographies. The rumors started in Hollywood on the set of their first picture Naughty Marietta, decades before any book was written. The controversy still exists today. Did they hate or love each other? That's the double sided coin the biographies discuss, yet no one book started the controversy, nor stopped it. I also think you were quite correct to post here as this is a new subject about rose tinted movies. I have seen The Girl from the Golden West in the soft rose tint. Very soft.. We had several movies out in general public that were in, "Sepia" but they are not the same as the rose tint you talk about. It would be nice to see more black and white movies in this softer color.

Well, well, well,.... Look what TCM published on http://turnerclassicmovies.com/movienews/index/?cid=121724. I see they finally realize that the controversy started in Hollywood and it needs to end there. They posted out: Sweethearts: Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy Biography on Sale in March! In honor of Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy chosen as TCM's March 2006 "Stars of the Month" the following MacDonald/Eddy books by Sharon Rich are discounted for TCM viewers at www.maceddy.com. Use coupon code: TCM at checkout to receive an additional 10% off the books listed below: Sweethearts: The Timeless Love Affair Onscreen and Off Between Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. Based on previously unpublished love letters, diaries, memoirs, 200+ interviews and the author's friendship with Jeanette's older sister, actress Blossom Rock. "Offers considerable proof of their romance, per Robert Osborne in the March TCM program guide. "One of the finest books about MGM and Hollywood during the Golden Era. You will enjoy every word of Sweethearts and you will find a new meaning when viewing their musicals. Then you'll read it a second time. -Jane Ellen Wayne, The Golden Guys of MGM. Jeanette MacDonald Autobiography: The Lost Manuscript. In 1960, Jeanette hired magazine writer Fredda Dudley Balling to ghostwrite her autobiography. Balling's own letters help explain why it was never published; Jeanette's handwritten comments are on nearly every page of the unfinished manuscript. Annotated and with an introduction by Sharon Rich. Nelson Eddy: The Opera Years. Complete coverage of Nelson's early career, 1922-35. Includes his personal clippings, handwritten notations, all his operatic roles, oratorios, radio, earliest interviews and insight into his youthful romances. Bonus chapter includes Jeanette MacDonald's opera career plus coverage and rare photos of their operatic scenes in the lost "Tosca" Act II from Maytime. Also, excerpts from an unproduced movie script written by Nelson on the life of Feodor Chaliapin, in which he had planned to play dual roles--Chaliapin and himself. Jeanette MacDonald: The Irving Stone Letters. The complete handwritten correspondence of love letters written by young Broadway starlet (and later MGM star) Jeanette MacDonald to her beau (1927-28) Irving Stone. The letters, postcards and telegrams continued until 1938, providing amazing details of her movie career, health problems including a 1929 heart attack, her private life?and Nelson Eddy. Annotated by Sharon Rich. The Rosary by Florence L. Barclay, new introduction by Sharon Rich and comments by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. The movie they never made! In 1948, Nelson Eddy chose this 1909 novel as a possible film vehicle for himself and Jeanette for their proposed MGM comeback. The musical Jane Eyre-like plot would have been perfect for them, plus Jeanette wrote Nelson while on concert tour: "The story is so like the course of our own lives it was amazing. The original novel plus a new introduction and photos explains the MacDonald-Eddy connection. Sharon Rich is considered by many to be the foremost authority on MacDonald and Eddy. She has written many magazine articles, has lectured in the U.S. and abroad, and was a guest speaker at the AFI (East Coast), where the launch party was held for Sweethearts in 1994. Sweethearts was a selection of the Entertainment Book Club and the #1 Best Seller on Booksurge.com for 4 weeks. In 1995 Rich was awarded a Dame of Merit by the Knights of Malta for her contribution to History and Literature. She has provided a free interactive biography, extensive interviews and other documentation at www.maceddy.com. Contact info: Sharon Rich, sharonrich@aol.com, 212-475-2703.

I for one am thrilled to be able to see Jeanette MacDonald stomp on Nelson Eddy Mountie Hat in Rosemarie. This has been a fabulous month for me seeing their films on TCM. TCM is my favorite channel for movies, yet this month, with their release of the 8 movies Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy did together, puts me in my glory all month. Thank you so much TCM.

Allow me to clear something up. The controversy has never, ever, been about what anyone wrote in a book. Everyone loves Jeanette and Nelson because they found them on their own on the screen and heard them sing. People were devoted to them separately and together. Immediately controversy about Jeanette and Nelson first rose up and started in Hollywood itself. People were saying they hated each other, and soon this statement leaked out of Hollywood to the world. Next was news they were friends. Finally the leak came that they were really in love but could not settle their differences between themselves and their careers. Again the gossip flew they were, "Just Friends." Controversy continued. People flocked to their movies with the controversy on their minds. Stories, comments, questions, controversy's were out before anyone wrote any book about Nelson or Jeanette. What gossip story was true? Which story should one believe? Some? None? Does not matter. The point is the stories flew and the controversy remains to this day. We cut to the chase and tagged who believed in their love story and who did not. Simple. Your a Saint until you give them the benefit of the doubt that they were in love, and instantly, your plunged into the Sinners Circle. Why is the controversy still going? That is the question. Is it because it's a question that needs answering? I think so.

Markus21... those posts believing Jeanette and Nelson were Saints were interesting. Me, I'm still on the Sinners side. They were in love. They screwed it all up, but they were in love. Too many folks knew it. Too many folks tried to hide it. I side with Confuses... I think you protestest too much. Why not put the story out and let the public decide for themselves. Were Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald Saints or Sinners?

Butterfly, you come not to praise Sharon but to bury her. Your a Saint, so why not simply come out and say your against all Sinners who believe Jeanette and Nelson were in love. You don't want their love story told do you? That's okay. We forgive you. Besides, Blossom would never have given Sharon the story to tell if Blossom knew that Jeanetter sincerely did not want the story told. Blossom loved Jeanette and would not have done anything to hurt her sister. That simple.

Here is a note from another lady that could not get her post to register. Ms. Carter: Dear Mr. Osborne: I am writing this letter as a fan of Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald, to tell you how happy I am to read your statement on the web. Also, to note that in the month of March you are devoting the entire month to their movies. I was born in 1932, so when the picture Naughty Marietta was showing in 1935, I was only three years old. However, I got to know them and see their movies as a younger woman, and for me, it was instant love. I had never seen two people so compatible, or that could sing in such beautiful harmony. Over the years I came to realize that Nelson and Jeanette sang so many of the songs that my mother played for us as children. (My mother was a wonderful piano player) The more of their movies I watched, the more I noticed the intimacy between them. The way they looked at each other, his attentive behavior toward her. It was as if they were making love to each other in their singing together. If the movie called for him to kiss her, he didn't seem to want to let her go. Then when I read the book by Sharon Rich, I realized that it wasn't just acting. No doubt you realized it also. Then a few years ago I found their web sites on the computer, and I at once joined the clubs. Mr. Osborne, it is about time Nelson and Jeanette receive the recognition that they deserve. It's also about time for the truth to be known. You are helping to do that. Even though it is a sad love story, it is a beautiful one. They had so much in common. In your checking the facts for yourself, it seems to have become apparent to you that Nelson and Jeanette were very much in love with each other, and because they were prevented from marrying and having a life together, they lived miserably, loving each other until their premature deaths. So, since you will be commenting before each movie in March, it would be so nice if you could arrange to have an interview with Sharon Rich at sometime during your March presentations. All of us will thoroughly enjoy that, and you will also. Thank you again. Sincerely, Thomasina J. Carter cardsgalore

Here is the 2 of 2 notes that the post would not register from JackieM. JackieM said: I'd like to 2nd all the suggestions that Robert Osborne have Sharon Rich as his guest. And to be totally fair to the naysayers, perhaps Professor Turk should receive an invite to appear with Sharon. We can hear of Sharon's 20+years of research, compared to Prof.Turk's few months of research and heart to hearts with Gene Raymond, and judge for ourselves. On the divorce issue, and why they simply didn't divorce after they left MGM in 1942--the obvious answer is they did not retire from show business. Nelson continued working until the day he died. He made 4 moref ilms, had 2 radio shows that spanned the war years to the early 50s, continued with his Concert tours until TV made them unprofitable and did 14 years of very successful work in Nght Clubs. Jeanette appeared on stage with (and without ) her husband, returned to MGM for 2 films, even tried out a Club act in Vegas. They continued to make recordings and appeared on TV. Jeanettes, failing health finally forced her into retirement. No doubt, Nelson could have filed for divorce, a nasty scandalous affair, in which he would have lost half his assets, but worse, Jeanette would have been subjected to the worst battering to her reputation inhis opinion. Ann would never have gone quietly.(BTW, Gene would have consented to the divorce-he had his own skeletons in the closet) Nelson knew the rapport and pleasure Jeanette drew from the affection of her fans. He could not let this happen to her. They must have thought things might change, no one guessed what little time they had. Jeanette died at 61, Nelson followed two years later at 65. Their spouses continued on well into their 80s nursing their own agendas, threatening to sue anyone who raised any doubts about the "perfect marriages" However, in 1970 a teen aged, future writer, named Sharon Rich, happened to meet Blossom Rock, (Jeanette's sister) and the hiouse of cards began to collapse, bit by bit. Incidentally, someone suggested that Sharon waited till the spouses were dead and could not defend themselves against her book. Farewell To Dreams was written while they both lived and Sweethearts while Gene Raymond was still alive. Neither of the books or their contents were ever challenge in court.

Here is another lady that could not get her post to register. Her name is JackieM. Here is one of two of the posts she wanted up. JackieM said: I just wanted to add to Arabella's comments on the subject of hatred directed at Jeanette or Nelson by the fans. Sharon was the first to have a club devoted to both of them, and the motto of the club is respect for both. I know of one incident in one of the Nelson clubs because it was written in the club mag. there were two sisters who were co presidents, and really pushed for Rise Stevens to be paired with Nelson. They wrote letters to MGM complaining that Jeanette got more film footage, and insisted on top billing. Nelson heard of this, forced them to resign, then, wrote a letter to the club that he would have no such remarks made about any leading lady, and said if it continued he would disband the club. On the other hand, I have never personally attended a meeting of the IJMFC, but I have heard accounts of the way Nelson was viewed by the club officials. I personally think Jeanette would have been heartsick to hear this, and would never have allowed it in her presence. The reality is, there are many fans of N&J, and I imagine like any other groups, some are going to play the blamegame just to make it simple. But this was a complicated affair --sometimes none of it made sense. And yes, there are people who, if they are forced to accept that Nelson loved Jeanette, feel sorry for Ann, and feel he done her wrong:) This woman was well aware of his feelings for Jeanette, and if she did not trick him, she at least took advantage of his unhappiness and kept him trapped for life. There are also fans of Gene, and some of them really buy into the illusion of a fairy tale marriage . It's like nothing isblack and white, but many shades of gray.

Again, here is the second item from Thetagirl, since she can't get her post to register I will again, put what she stated on here: Thetagirl said: To go with along with Sharon Rich's story of the love affair, I would like to tell you all about a lunch I enjoyed with a woman who had been an MGM contract dancer in the late 30s to the mid40s. I first learned about her in a human interest story in a Seattle newspaper. The thrust of the article was about Ronald Reagan who was President at the time. I called her and arranged to meet her for lunch. She brought quite a few memorabilia items including her screen actor's guild membership card, pics of her and Clark Gable etc. When I mentioned Jeanette MacDonald, the first words she uttered were "What a tragic life she had. You know she was in love with Nelson Eddy". That woman had NO reason to lie about something she'd known for 40 years. I simply would like people to realize there are actual men and women saying these things. We met in 1988.

Jeanettefan---- I have indeed heard of Jeanette fans hating Nelson. I have never heard of Nelson's fans hating Jeanette. Never. Everyone I know, speaks of both of them with great respect. The Sinners, are the people who believe that Nelson and Jeanette loved each other.They are, I guess, followers of Sharon Rich's book, Sweethearts. Everyone that I know of, loves both Nelson and Jeanette equally.(Are so I thought they did.) The Saints believe that Jeanette was pure as was Nelson. They were friends only. No one hates Jeanette for not marrying Nelson. Where did you ever get that idea? What do you mean you hope Osborne will not just make mean comments about them? Say right out exactly what your referring to. You stated, "I guess they like Anne and Nelson was allowed to go out with everyone in town." I am sure, there is someone somewhere, that liked Anne... (is that spelt Anne or Annie, I'm not sure.) .... and I have no idea what is meant by Nelson was allowed to go out with everyone in town??? Do you mean Nelson cheated on his wife Anne? Why would he do that? Why didn't he just Divorce her? Hmmmm? Yes, you sound confused about them. That's okay, a lot of people are confused about these relationships: 1 Nelson and Jeanette 2 Nelson and Anne. 3 Anne and Gene 4 Gene and Jeanette 5 Nelson and Gene 6 Nelson and Gale 7 Gale and Anne That is why Sharon Rich wrote and straightened everyone's role out. Thank you Sharon Rich.

Two people cannot get their replys to show on this board, These are what they wanted said: From Thetagirl This is partly to answer "daddy's girl prima donna". If you are going to correct another person's grammar, get it right yourself. When you say "your" is a conjunction of "you are" you are incorrect. It is a contraction resulting in "you're". A conjunction is a part of speech used to connect phrases: "and", "but", "because" are conjunctions. The next thought is that some one who goes around the house on her toes would usually be called a prima BALLERINA NOT a prima donna. Guess things must be different in Biloxi. I will be so happy to see all the Nelson Eddy/Jeanette MacDonald films on TCM. They were frequently criticised about their lack of acting abilities. Indeed, if their feelings of love (on the screen) were merely acting, they have been royally "screwed" by lack of Oscar nominations. There are such feelings of love from their movies. I wish Mr. Osborne would interview Sharon Rich during March. It would be most interesting. Another question: why are there such bad feelings and actual dislike of Nelson Eddy with some of the Jeanette fans? Their films were successes and much did better box office than her solo efforts.

Good your reading Sweethearts. You will soon see, no one goes out and works for 20 years to get interviews that are fake. No fun in that. The book is the truth about their real story they tried so hard to keep private. Yes, both Jeanette and Nelson, for sure, had their reasons for doing what they did. Yet, Jeanette said later in life that she had chosen career over love and she regretted that. This naturally indicates that she did not marry her true love since she was marry to Gene Raymond at the time. Plus, Gene openly visited the queer bars in Santa Monica while married to Jeanette MacDonald. He made the, "low" news, himself decades ago.

To Tacky. Good question. Sounds so simply today, but back then you didn't divorce that easily. You did what you were told. You did what got you the appearance you wanted. Not needed, but wanted for appearance sake. Looks to me like both Nelson and Jeanette had worked all their lives to get to the point where they were in their singing careers. No matter how they tried to figure out putting their two lives together, it just couldn't work out. So they went their seperate ways, realizing as time went on, it was the worst mistake they could have made. They could not stay away fom each other. In reading the book Sharon Rich wrote, one can watch the movie they were making together and see where they were in their relationship with each other. Sometimes, so in love, sometimes trying desperately to break it off, yet their love alway rose up to the point they had to see or at least talk to each other. This continued until their deaths. A modern American tragedy. Watch their movies on TCM throughtout the month of March. Judge for yourself. Were they in love with each other and it showed on the screen, or were they just terrific actors?

I completely agree that no one goes out and spends 20 years getting interviews, is doing so, to, "Invent" stories to print in her book, "Sweethearts." What for? What purpose? No, it makes no sense. I only hope Mr. Osborne can see this. People say this affair never happened? Oh, it happened all right, and Sharon Rich got the interviews to prove it, much to the dismay of many. Others whipped out their "factual" books in months. Sharon Rich, it took her 20 years to gather her material... but plain facts found in months, cannot compare to the interviews from the hearts of people that knew Nelson and Jeanette and wanted to protect their love story and their and privacy. It was not easy to get anyone to talk about such a tender love. In time, these same people, knew the real story needed to be told. It's our own, "America's Sweethearts real love story." Of course Ms. Rich's book reads like the simple pure love that existed between two people, as that's what is was. As someone said, their love ended in tragedy and that's why the story is so powerful. Had they met, married, it would be no big deal. It's only the love that is, "Lives on", but cannot be, "Lived out", that moves people to tears as Sharon Rich's book does to those that read it. The book allows one to see what is going on in the lives of Nelson and Jeanette as they make movies together. One can watch on screen, what they were going though in their real lives with their love affair. It's an amazing way to watch their movies and know the real, "Behind the Scenes" facts that only Mr. Osborne could tell the public. Facts make their movies, really, come to life. Facts that make one hold one's breath watching Nelson and Jeanette sing in an opera together near the end of, "Maytime", where you actually sit, not being able to move, just staring at them and listening to their very hearts sing. It's an experience that is never forgotten when you know the truth and watch this movie. Sigh.... but then, if this does not move your heart, there is always, "Mr. Turk's" version of cold hard facts to read.... Guaranteed to knock any emotional feeling you have about Nelson and Jeanette out of you.

I would think Osborne would be delighted to interview Sharon Rich and find the other side to Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy's movie lives, meaning their very own love story. It might introduce many new fans to wonderful old classic movies that this duo made so famous. Sharon Rich is the one Osborne should indeed interview to get the real story of their love.

I would love to see an indepth Tribute to America's Singing Sweethearts, Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald. These two singers gave their lives to entertaining America, not to mention the behind the scenes fact that they fell in love. They went on with their own lives yet stayed in love until they died. I would love to see a Tribute to our own American Romeo and Juliet story.

Your correct. Ya'll must be another Saint come to the rescue of little ole Turk. See what a Sinner I am. Your so busy looking for way to correct others, it's a shame you did not use this same time to read the vast interviews that Sharon Rich's book held to see the truth about the love affair between Jeanette and Nelson. Oh, I see.... in order to see, the bag over your head would have to be removed. That, might be painful, since it's abviousluy been there for years. Besides, Ms. Rich knew it was time that the truth came to the front, that Jeanette never died a virgin, yet, still in all, being married to Gene the Queen, had it not been for Nelson, and a few others, Jeanette might have died the Virgin Queen of Hollywood.

Aww, come on. This is Turk writing in to push his book, right?

Well, well well.... I figured I'd draw out a Saint right away. You must have been sitting on a post nearby. Oh, you have it wrong as the MacEddy group is the group of Sinners. They believe Nelson and Jeanette were in love all their lives. Your the Saint. You think Nelson and Jeanette NEVER were more than just friends. You think Jeanette glowed from the halo around her head instead of the fact that she glowed from her love to and from Nelson Eddy till the day she died. Okay, Attention movie-goes of the world, classical movie lovers, let me introduce you to the controversy over Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald and the neverendingstory of different opinions between the Saint and the Sinners. This is the story that, "adds to" and makes, "watching" Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy's movies a lot more fun. I invite the public to watch their movies on TCM in March and tell us what they think. Could they see that there was more to Nelson and Jeanette than simple acting? Let us know. A lot of controversy about these two people being just friends or friends and lovers too. Well, First off, thank you for your reply. I want to congratulate you on the fact that you can read... then secondly, may I congratulate you on the fact you had the brains to read Sharon Rich's book. Good for you. Your smarter than I thought you were after reading what you posted. (You started with the slams against Sharon Rich, so I get to follow your lead, and tell you my opinion of you too. But then to write back, I have to lower my opinion of you, don't I?) Hey.... you started the slams... if you can't take the heat...get out of the kitchen! Yeah, yeah, and yeah. I heard all my life that Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald, "Hated" each other. Everyone has heard that. Everyone heard that for years. Why? Now, you say, they did not hate each other, but liked each other? Oh? Professor Edward Baron Turk had to write a book to prove they liked each other? This is a certainly different approach. Who cares who liked each other, how anyone hated each other? It's life. It's no big deal, especially in Hollywood. Why do you think they have to do the romantic scenes immediately on any movie set? It's to get it over with in case they end up hating each other when they find out what the other person is really like. Happens all the time. Again, no big deal. Certainly no one writes a book because people like each other and get along, now do they? Then why did the rumor start that Nelson and Jeanette hated each other if they liked each other? Hmmm? Why would we have any rumor at all if they liked each other, worked together on many films and that was all there was too it? Why would anyone have to come out in the defense of their "liking" each other? That does not make any sense. None at all. None. The reason I say this is because the statement that they hated each other started with the first movie they made together, while no one even knew who they were, nor the movie Naughty Marietta released. No one would care if they hated each other. So what? No one even knew who he was. Why spread this hated of each other over the world before the movie was out? Makes no sense at all if they simply were friends and got along fine, unless it was a cover up as they were falling in love and everyone on the movie set could see it. Since Jeanette was involved with Mayer, (as in Metro Golden) with Mayers taking his personal interest in Jeanette, seems there was good reason to cover up Jeanettes falling in love. (oops...did I hear Jeanette's halo clunk on the floor?) So, she was human, and a sinner now and then? So what? Who among us is without sin and can cast the first stone? Thank God, there are more Sinners than Saints, or Sharon Richs book would never have outsold Turks book, which it did. Besides, I liked Sharon Rich's book. It was delightful, full of the love that Nelson and Jeanette shared. Turks book proved they liked each other. What for? Who cared? Plus, your overblown, overwrought, absurdly melodramatic writing style made me seriously NOT question your credentials and objectivity, and proves to me your a wrongly opinionated Saint. Does using these big words mean the world should believe what you have to say, over my fanciful opinionated writing? I don't think so.

When is Hollywood going to finally, "get off of it" and reveal the true love story that existed between Jeanette and Nelson until the day they died? The book by Sharon Rich, "Sweethearts" has the interviews, comments and pictures that explore this wonderful love story that was doomed by MGM from the start. What a story these two famous actors lived behind the scenes. What controversy comes as soon as you mention they were in love. What a movie their story would make. The BIG Question has been for years--- were they, "Saints" simply liking each other? Or were they, as the interviews show, "Sinners" that loved each other, with all their heart and soul, until death? My opinion makes me fall into being on the, "Sinner" side. What side are you on?