….in the good old summertime!

What were they doing?….

….and where were they doing it?

Part VI….

"Smilin' Through" with Gene

Louis B. Mayer, unhappy over the public’s response to “Bittersweet”, decided to separate the dream team again. He personally planned all facets of Jeanette’s next film, a remake of “Smilin’ Through”. It had been made as a silent film for Norma Talmadge in 1922 and again in black and white for Norma Shearer in 1932. But Mayer promised Jeanette a grand production with gorgeous color, lavish sets, Adrian-designed costumes and a fabulous cast. And she got it!

Nelson posing as Vasilyi in "The Chocolate Soldier" with Rise Stevens

For Nelson, no such amenities were offered. Mayer had bought the rights to the score of “The Chocolate Soldier” but failed to get rights to the George Bernard Shaw story. So the studio scriptwriters patchworked the operetta with a remake of the 1931 Lunt-Fontanne film “The Guardsman”. Nelson did get his choice of a co-star and since he couldn’t have Jeanette, he chose Met opera star, Rise Stevens. But Mayer cut the film’s budget with standard sets, black and white filmography and a cast of..dozens. In fact, one may get the idea Mr. Mayer didn’t like Nelson very much!

Nelson and Jen on the set of "Smilin' Through"

But problems with casting Jeanette’s leading men proved to be a problem and delayed her new picture until May. Jimmy Stewart went into the army and was replaced by Brian Aherne. Then Robert Taylor decided he needed a vacation before starting another picture. Already behind schedule, filming began without a co-star until Gene Raymond stepped into the role. But it didn’t take long for director Frank Borzage to realize that there was no chemistry on screen between Jeanette and Gene Raymond…. and not much off screen. The only sparks flying happened when Nelson was visiting!

Nelson’s picture didn’t start production until June so he had plenty of time to dream up ingenious ways to get together with his lady love. He would often borrow an extra costume and sneak on her set even while they were filming. In one scene there’s a quick glimpse of him head and shoulders above a group of “soldiers” that are listening to Jeanette sing.

Both pictures were released in the fall. “Smilin’ Through” got poor reviews despite its more elaborate production. On the other hand, “ The Chocolate Soldier” won critical approval and Oscar nominations for black and white cinematography, sound recording and score. Columnist Jimmy Fidler said “A great singer proves he’s become a fine actor”. Mayer decided immediately to put the duo back together!

Publicity shot for IMAA

Jeanette and Nelson were soon scheduled for “I Married and Angel” , a project that was plagued with problems. George Cukor bowed out as director followed by his replacement Roy Del Ruth. Anita Loos who wrote the script and planned to be on the set every day, hated both Jeanette and Nelson. The stars were relieved to see Woody Van Dyke come aboard as director but Woody was ill and not working up to his usual potential. The picture had to be done in two versions so that it could be shown in England where it wasn’t permitted to show angels on screen.

Nelson breaks Jen up in a scene and Woody leaves it in!

Then , in the midst of all that, Mayer tried to make moves on Jeanette in his office. Nelson found out and stormed the front office in a rage. He had the little studio head in a strangle hold, threatening to throw him out of the window, when actor Frank Morgan tried to intervene. In the heat of the struggle, the elder actor was knocked down. Nelson, appalled at what he had done to his old friend, let Mayer go and, after helping Frank up, left the office.

There's  nothing here but his "lonely heart"

Ann launched her attack shortly after Pearl Harbor. She started a rumor that she was pregnant. The rumor never reached the press but Nelson had to break it to Jeanette. Both of them knew it was a lie but Jeanette was so upset Nelson had to take her to Blossom’s house where she cried all night. When that didn’t work, Ann tried it again a few months later and this time some papers reported it. Apparently no one realized that Ann was 48 years old so the old “just a false alarm” worked for her twice.

Nelson and Jeanette on the radio!

“I Married An Angel” was finished by Christmas and by that time Nelson was fed up with MGM. He wanted out even though he had one more movie under his contract. But Mayer made the final decision for him. The studio head found him sitting with Jeanette between scenes making no secret about their feelings. The studio head called Jeanette a whore in front of the entire crew and Nelson had to be physically restrained to keep from doing him bodily harm.

In July of 1942 Nelson bought out his contract and left MGM. Jeanette stayed to finish “ Cairo” but then she also left. Sadly no one was there to say thanks or goodbye. Many of the old stars had already gone. And L.B. Mayer and the studio system that had virtually held them hostage was about to meet a similar fate.

One of their last pictures taken with Woody.

By fall, Nelson had gone to Universal to take “Phantom of the Opera”, Jeanette went on an extensive concert tour and Woody had gone home to die!

TO BE CONTINUED…..

Coming in the next issue…..Nelson does “Phantom…”… Jeanette does opera…Entertaining the troops…..Breaking up and making up…Nelson undercover!

For much more on the love story, read “Sweethearts” by Sharon Rich and visit www.maceddy.com

News and More News!

The Stars!

. “A Scandalous Affair”!

In her original script, Hallie Neill, a “rapturous singing actress” (The New York Times), tells the MacDonald/Eddy story that Hollywood has kept secret for over 60 years.

Real-life lovers with tragic pregnancies, sexual betrayals, suicide attempts, blackmail and death threats are the stuff of “A Scandalous Affair”.

Sweethearts, the best seller by Sharon Rich, inspired Hallie to retell this poignant story as an operetta with her own creative spin as a singer/actress/writer. There could be no better singing partner than her husband, Metropolitan Opera baritone Theodore Lambrinos.

Now this thrilling operetta can be seen on DVD. For more information go to www.jeanetteandnelson.com

. Eleanor’s Book is out!

The Book!

The Author!

One of the most comprehensive books on the films of Hollywood’s most dynamic singing duo is back!…bigger and better than ever !

Read all about their careers and the musicals that America loved.

Amazon.com: The Films of Jeanette Macdonald And Nelson Eddy: Books: Eleanor Knowles