The Baritone and His Lady…

when it was time to light the candles….

where were they?...
….and what were they doing?

1901-1917

Nelson, the choirboy

Nelson cried so loudly when he was born on June 29th, 1901 that the doctor said “He ought to be a fine singer”. To keep the doctor honest, Nelson joined the choir as soon as he was old enough..as a boy soprano! By the time he had his 16th birthday, he was 6 feet tall, living in Philadelphia and a glorious baritone.

Jeanette at 11

Jeanette was born in Philadelphia but didn’t start her singing career until she was 3 and sang at a church social. By her 5th birthday she had cut a record….for the playground superintendent.
“I’ve been here a long time…I never saw such a little one sing and never heard anyone sing so loud”. The park caretaker said as Jeanette warbled in the sandbox.

1917-1927

Nelson at 21

Nelson took correspondence courses in journalism and found work as a newspaper reporter to pay for singing lessons. He also helped his cause by memorizing the great operas and the singing styles of the great opera stars....tenors, baritones and bassos. By his 21st birthday he had debuted as Amonasro in Aida” for the Philadelphia Civic Opera Co., and, by his 25th he had done the role of Tonio in “Pagliacci” at the Met!

Jeanette at 17

Jeanette went from the Kiddie Revues to Broadway before she was out of her teens. By her 20th birthday, she was a Broadway starlet. She was given a contract by the Shuberts and a starring role in “Yes, Yes, Yvette”. Popular actor Richard Arlen wanted her for his leading lady and Paramount wanted her for a screen test but the Shuberts said “No, no, Jeanette”!

1927 – 1937

Nelson at 30

Nelson gave up opera for concerts and radio…and suddenly there were film offers! “I’m not an actor, I’m a singer”, he said but by his 32nd birthday, MGM had made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. By his 34th birthday, he was suddenly a movie idol and hopelessly in love. But heartbreak was just around the corner.

Jeanette at 30

Jeanette spent her 26th birthday in Hollywood preparing for her Paramount film debut in “The Love Parade” with Maurice Chevalier. By the time she made 6 more of these bedroom comedies, she was labeled “The Lingerie Queen”. MGM ended all that with “Naughty Marietta”. Jeanette was teamed for the first time with Nelson Eddy but when studio head L. B. Mayer found out love was in bloom off the set, he brought things to a screeching halt.

1937 - 1947

Jeanette marries Gene Raymond

Jeanette and Gene Raymond wed just before her 34th birthday and began to lead their separate lives together. By her 35th birthday she was back with Nelson again, happy and pregnant. It didn’t last. They broke up again when she miscarried. Jeanette would repeat this scenario at least three times with the same outcome. In 1941 Nelson and Jeanette made their last film together but their love affair continued along its bumpy road. June, 1947 was one of the bright spots.

Nelson and Ann

Nelson was filming “Rosalie” on his 36th birthday and trying to forget his lost love. Working with Jeanette again in “The Girl Of The Golden West” was a nightmare and not helped any by his drinking. They made up before the picture wrapped but it was just the beginning of an never-ending series of make-ups and break-ups. Then Nelson made the worst mistake of his life....he married Ann Franklin and put an anchor around his neck he could never remove