The Baritone
and His Lady…
when the leaves were falling…. |
Part VI….
 Jeanette entertained the troops |
By the fall of 1942, dreams of togetherness were again dancing in the thoughts of Jeanette and Nelson. But Nelson suspected Ann of having him followed to get evidence that they were meeting. Ann let him know that a divorce would cost them both dearly. He told Jeanette of his fears one night while they were having dinner with his mother. Then, when he was driving her back to Twin Gables, Jeanette had a premonition about Ann and told him to go check on her. Nelson found Ann unconscious in their backyard. Not knowing what to do, Nelson called Jeanette, who brought the doctor and worked with him to literally save Ann’s life from a botched suicide attempt. All talk of a divorce was dropped for a time.
Jeanette went off on a concert tour to raise money for the Army Emergency Relief Fund and forget the impasse in her relationship with Nelson. She wanted to go overseas but a medical exam found some undisclosed problem that kept Jeanette on this side of the oceans. Nelson wanted her to sign with Universal as he did but Jeanette pleaded fatigue after the tour. She spent Christmastime entertaining the boys at the Hollywood Canteen while Nelson did his traditional “Juggler of Notre Dame” on the radio with Ronald Colman.
 Nelson does Christmas story  Listen |
 Nelson and Susanna Foster do "Phantom of the Opera" |
January came and Phantom of the Opera went into full swing at Universal with the signing of 18-year-old Susanna Foster as Christine and Claude Rains as the Phantom. Nelson and Susanna began recording the operatic sequences the 2 nd week of January. Then, on February 4 th, Woody Van Dyke died and both Jeanette and Nelson were devastated. Nelson broke down during their duet of “ Ah, Sweet Mystery” at the funeral and Jeanette had to finish alone. Nelson called in sick at the studio for several days later, too distraught to work.
But , even in this sad time, Jeanette began thinking again of having Nelson’s baby. She was nearing her 40 th birthday and felt time was running out. Ann was also seeing doctors for a much different reason. At least 7 doctors who reported on her case, determined that she was mentally unstable and “on the borderline” making any consent to a divorce highly unlikely in the near future. There didn’t seem much hope that Nelson and his Jen would be together any time soon.
 Susanna Foster and Claude Rains in another
scene from "Phantom..."
|
Nelson was both overworked and unhappy by the time he left for his spring concert tour. The work on “Phantom…” went over schedule and Jeanette had decided to do “Romeo and Juliet” in Canada. They did manage to get together for a brief but quality time together in New York when their paths crossed. She never let him forget the problems she had trying to spell the name he had registered for her at the hotel. It was Miss Lucie Glutzenheimer!
But her Canadian tour brought rave reviews.
By July, 1943 Jeanette and Nelson were back in Los Angeles and Jeanette decided to surprise him with her decision to consider film offers that included both of them. Nelson was using his own money to help float Knickerbocker Holiday a film that he was doing for United Artists at the old Sam Goldwyn Studios. But when Jeanette visited friends at the Hollywood Canteen, she heard that Nelson and Rise Stevens had entertained there together and rumors were that they were having an affair.
 Nelson and Constance Dowling in "Knickerbocker
Holiday"
|
The argument over the rumors broke two hearts again.
 Nelson entertains the troops |
It also made living with their respective spouses unbearable, too. The only peaceful time at Twin Gables was when Gene was on active duty or when they opened the house to servicemen for what they called “Date Leaves”. On one occasion, when Nelson, pining for Jeanette, drove by her house he found Gene striking Jeanette and knocking her to the ground. Nelson stopped the car and beat Gene unconscious. But when he carried Jeanette into the house, they argued over his lack of control. Nelson drove off leaving Gene still laying in the driveway.
 "Date Leaves" at Twin Gables |
On the other side of the problem, there was an incident between Nelson and Ann reported by their neighbors. They recalled that, while Nelson was rarely home, when he was there arguments were loud and frequent ending with Nelson storming out of the house. But once, before his usual angry departure, Nelson was seen actually throttling Ann in the doorway.
 Portrait as Brom Broeck |
That September, Nelson and Jeanette made up and made love at their favorite hideaway, “Mists”. Later that month, Nelson began work on “Knickbocker Holiday” with Charles Coburn (a non-singer who for some reason was given “September Song” to sing) and Constance Dowling. Jeanette was never threatened by Constance so Nelson just got through the picture and accepted his losses. But the lovers were feeling the strain of living separate lives.
Later that month Jeanette did 2 songs in Universal’s Follow the Boys one of those all-star revues the studios were using at the time to bolster their box office receipts without high production costs.
During her number “I’ll See You in My Dreams” she unconsciously twists a ring on her finger…the emerald engagement ring Nelson gave her.
 Jeanette in "Follow the Boys" |
In December, Nelson was asked by the Army CIC (Counter-Intelligence Corps) to do covert mission during a concert tour to Brazil, Africa, Arabia, Egypt and Persia. Some elements of Nelson’s undercover work during that time has been gleaned from those who were there with him but most of it is still classified. The CIC had used opera stars on other occasions (Lawrence Tibbett was one) because of their ability to speak and understand German. Nelson’s job was apparently to check up on someone under suspicion as a double agent. But somewhere along the way, Nelson’s cover was blown and he became the quarry. In fact, he may have had to kill the spy following him with the same plan. But he never discussed it.
In the meantime, Jeanette stayed home and had a nervous collapse.
 Nelson with the troops in Teheran |
To Be Continued…..
Next issue…Part VII Jeanette’s collapse and continued health problems…Doing radio together… Making Willie the Whale…another miscarriage.
Other treats from Joaner’s Collection…bringing in the hay!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |