Jeanette MacDonald

Jeanette MacDonald was given two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to Recordings and Motion Pictures. Una Merkel has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to Motion Pictures, at 6230 Hollywood Boulevard. Jeanette MacDonald: The Irving Stone Letters annotated by Sharon Rich (2002), ISBN 0971199841, is a compilation of Jeanette's handwritten letters to a beau from her Broadway years (with whom she also discusses her Hollywood years), while Jeanette MacDonald Autobiography: The Lost Manuscript annotated by Sharon Rich (2004), ISBN 0971199884 presents MacDonald's unpublished autobiography. She died in Los Angeles, California. Sweethearts by Sharon Rich (revised edition,2001), ISBN 0971199817, discusses MacDonald's ill-fated affair with Eddy. Her final film role was in the 1966 Elvis Presley film Spinout. However, Sharon Rich, a close friend of MacDonald's sister Blossom, has written several books supporting these rumors with excerpts from letters, diaries and interviews. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Summer and Smoke (1961).

A biography authorized by Jeanette's widower Gene Raymond, Hollywood Diva by Edward Baron Turk (2000), ISBN 0520222539, denies there was any such affair. She made a comeback as a middle aged woman playing mothers and maiden aunts, and in 1956 won a Tony Award for her role in The Ponder Heart. After her death, rumors began to emerge that Jeanette MacDonald had an off-screen relationship with Nelson Eddy. Her career went into decline during the 1940s and although she continued working it was in less prestigious productions. Jeanette died in Houston, Texas and was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California. She played Ann Rutledge in the 1930 film Abraham Lincoln and during the 1930s became a popular second lead in a number of films, usually playing the wisecracking best friend of the heroine. Although they were married until her death from heart disease in 1965, they had no children. She returned to Hollywood and achieved her greatest success with the advent of "talkies".

In 1937, Jeanette MacDonald married Gene Raymond, with whom she co-starred in 1941's Smilin' Through. She appeared in several films during the silent era but spent most of her time in New York working on Broadway. She did not confine herself to operetta, appearing in stage productions of grand opera, including Charles Gounod's Faust in 1943 and 1951, the latter being her last full length opera performance. Born in Covington, Kentucky, Merkel resembled the popular actress Lillian Gish, and her resemblance allowed her to enter films in 1920 as Gish's double in the film Way Down East. Cast opposite Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy in San Francisco (1936), she was given some key dramatic scenes, but also contributed several obligatory musical numbers. Una Merkel (December 10, 1903 – January 2, 1986) was an American film actress. On very rare occasions she was given roles that allowed to extend her range as a dramatic actress, however she was still expected to sing.

The latter, where she ages from a young girl to an old woman, is said to have been her favourite. It was not until Irving Thalberg lured her to Metro Goldwyn Mayer in 1934, that she had her biggest hits including The Merry Widow (1934) (with Maurice Chevalier), Naughty Marietta (1935), the above-mentioned Rose-Marie, and Maytime (with Nelson Eddy). Jeanette MacDonald performed on Broadway a further nine years, progressing to leading roles in Yes, Yes, Yvette (1927), Sunny Days (1928), Angela (1928) and Boom Boom (1929), before she was chosen by the Hollywood director Ernst Lubitsch to play the lead in his new film musical The Love Parade in 1929. Of her start in Broadway, many years later she told Ed Sullivan, "I got a crick in my neck and $40 a week".

An audition was arranged by her sister for a part as dancer in the chorus of another production. Jeanette got the part and was given permission by her parents to take the job. At the age of 16, accompanied by her father, she went to see her older sister, Blossom Rock, perform on Broadway in New York. Jeanette Anna MacDonald was born in Philadelphia and made her professional debut at the age of six, singing "Old Mother Hubbard" in a charity opera at Philadelphia's Academy of Music. Jeanette MacDonald (June 18, 1903 - January 14, 1965) was a singer and actress best known for her film duets with Nelson Eddy, such as Rose-Marie (aka Indian Love Call) (1936).

The Love Parade (1929). The Vagabond King (1930). Paramount on Parade (1930) (cut from final print). Monte Carlo (1930).

Let's Go Native (1930). The Lottery Bride (1930). Oh, For a Man! (1930). Don't Bet on Women (1930).

Annabelle's Affairs (1931). One Hour With You (1932). Love Me Tonight (1932). The Cat and the Fiddle (1933).

The Merry Widow (1934). Naughty Marietta (1935). Rose Marie (1936). San Francisco (1936).

Maytime (1937). The Firefly (1937). The Girl of the Golden West (1938). Sweethearts (1938).

Broadway Serenade (1939). New Moon (1940). Bitter Sweet (1940). Smilin' Through (1941).

I Married An Angel (1942). Cairo (1942). Follow the Boys (1943). Three Daring Daughters (1948).

The Sun Comes Up (1949).