There couldn't have been a more diligent, a more serious, a more pliable person than Jeanette. [103] On November 12, 1952, she was the subject of Ralph Edwards' This Is Your Life. They Were Loved. After Thalberg's untimely death in September, production was shut down and the half-finished film scrapped. [145] Two years before, she had been assigned Dr. Michael DeBakey, who had recently operated successfully on the Duke of Windsor, in the hope that he could save her. He left a legacy in the form of his suicide note: By. 2007. Cause of death Heart attack Role Singer Name . "[98] The same critic reviewed Faust: "From where I sit at the opera, Jeanette MacDonald has turned out to be one of the welcome surprises of the season her Marguerite was better than her Juliet beautifully sung with purity of line and tone, a good trill, and a Gallic inflection that understood Gounod's phrasing You felt if Faust must sell his soul to the devil, at least this time he got his money's worth."[99]. Eisenhower. In her films, radio, television appearances, concerts, and recordings, she sang opera, operetta, art songs, and show tunes, often with an eye toward popularizing classical music for the masses. [33] Oh, for a Man! (Ed. It lost $142,000. I R-K-O KEITH'S THE JOY OF LIVING," with Irene Dunne. [81] Her production of The King and I opened August 20, 1956, at the Starlight Theatre. [90] On one occasion, at the request of Lt. Ronald Reagan, she was singing for a large group of men in San Francisco who were due to ship out to the fierce fighting in the South Pacific. Naughty Marietta (1935), directed by W. S. Van Dyke, was MacDonald's first film in which she teamed with newcomer baritone Nelson Eddy. May 6, 1998 12 AM PT TIMES STAFF WRITER Gene Raymond, the suave, good-looking blond actor who ranged from Broadway to Hollywood to radio and television but was perhaps best known for his storybook. Below is the video clip from January 15, the day after Jeanettes death, not seen since it first aired. The press reported a "severe cold' was the cause of MacDonald's illness. PAT ATF F St. at Thirteenth r Theater of the Stars "IN OLD CHICAGO." with Tyrone Power, i Alice Faye and Don Atneche. [142] MacDonald often worried about her husband's self-esteem; his acting career was constantly shaky, and RKO Pictures eventually sold out his contract when he had two movies left to make with them in the 1950s. [41] Despite a Technicolor finalethe first use of the new three-color Technicolor process other than Disney cartoonsthe film was not a huge success. The Sun Comes Up (1949) teamed MacDonald with Lassie in an adaptation of a short story by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. "[135] Despite Ritchie's family claiming that he was married to MacDonald but the marriage had been annulled in 1935,[135] he never confirmed the claims. "[163], In the biography Sweethearts by Sharon Rich, the author presents MacDonald and Eddy as continuing an adulterous affair after their marriages. Jeanette MacDonald, the movie musical's first superstar, was an American original whose onscreen radiance mirrored a beguiling real-life personality. Of these 13 were cases where death was not expected in the foreseeable future Conclusion cause of death. [149] Along with close family and widower Raymond, it was notably attended by a handful of MacDonald's costars (such as Eddy, Allan Jones, Chevalier, Joe E. Brown, Spencer Tracy, Lloyd Nolan, etc. Discover Jeanette MacDonald's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. [128] His family was hesitant about the relationship, assuming that MacDonald was a gold-digger, but accepted her after they met. [143] Although she appreciated his support, MacDonald wished that their success was equal. [104] Her surprise guests included her sisters, a sailor she danced with at the Hollywood Canteen, her former English teacher, her husband and the clergyman who married them, and Nelson Eddy appeared as a voice from her past, singing the song he sang at her wedding; his surprise appearance brought her to tears. This was followed by Bitter Sweet (1940), a Technicolor film version of Nol Coward's 1929 stage operetta, which Coward loathed, writing in his diary about how "vulgar" he found it. Thanks to Katie and Angela for uncovering this unhappy but important gem and making it available for viewing. It was a concert appearance at the Philharmonic Auditorium here in 1933 that propelled Eddy to fame. Nelsons initial shock and disbelief was very clear (see photo above) as the first TV reporter interviewed him. Her last ghost writer, Fredda Dudley Balling, noted that MacDonald was too ill to work more than a couple hours a day, so a final draft was never completed. "When Jeanette MacDonald approached me for coaching lessons," wrote Lehmann, "I was really curious how a glamorous movie star, certainly spoiled by the adoration of a limitless world, would be able to devote herself to another, a higher level of art. [83] On December 12, 1951, she did one performance of Faust with the Philadelphia Civic Grand Opera Company at the Academy of Music. [55] The film featured an original score[56] by Sigmund Romberg,[57] and reused the popular David Belasco stage plot[54] (also employed by opera composer Giacomo Puccini for La fanciulla del West). . [139] Despite the strong relationship, Raymond's mother did not like MacDonald, attempting to snub her a few times (such as arranging her son with Janet Gaynor as a plus-one at a charity ball),[140] and did not attend the wedding. The film integrated Victor Herbert's 1913 stage score into a modern backstage story scripted by Dorothy Parker and Alan Campbell. ), and Filming Today Press, 2005, Hollywood, California (www.GDHamann.com). Months later she summoned her manager Bob Ritchie from London to help her renegotiate. Here is all you want to know, and more! In the first rush of sound films during 1929 and 1930, MacDonald starred in six filmsthe first four for Paramount Studios. MacDonald appeared in condensed radio versions of many of her films on programs such as Cecil B. DeMille's Lux Radio Theater, often with Nelson Eddy, and the Railroad Hour, which starred Gordon MacRae. [76] Composer Hugh Martin also wrote a song for the musical, entitled "Wasn't It Romantic? He is so darling when hes recounting the doghouse storypoor guy. Musicals went into decline and Paramount dropped her in 1931; her next pictures with Chevalier went nowhere. Of the 79 reported cases "More than half of the deaths were expected in the near future" meaning several were cases where death was not expected in the short term. Although a cause of death was not given, her team previously confirmed the illness she suffered from was "not Covid related." Survived by her daughter Sharon MacDonald and son-in-law Armando Pineda and sister Maureen Gadbois (Pich) and many nieces and nephews. MacDonald performed at the Mayo Civic Auditorium in Rochester, Minnesota[86] on April 19, 1939, to open that venue before an audience. "[144] When she reunited with Chevalier in 1957, he asked her why she had retired from films, to which she replied, "Because for exactly twenty years I've played my best role, by his [Raymond's] side. . She is considered by many to be the leading authority on MacDonald and Eddy in the world. - the movie, of course, was San Francisco (1936). She hosted her own radio show, Vicks Open House,[100] from September 1937 to March 1938, for which she received $5,000 a week. His last film credit came in 1969 when he provided the Voice of Death in the western Five Bloody Graves. It was the final film made by the team of MacDonald and Eddy. The death of Jeanette MacDonald on January 14, 1965 at age 61 shocked and stunned fans worldwide who had not realized how very ill she was during her last years. [147] In December 1964, her condition worsened and she was rushed to UCLA Medical Center. Here is the audio tape of that very first interviewNelson gasping as he spoke in spurtsthe interviewer kept pushing him beyond what he could tell and deal with for (as he so bitterly termed) public consumption. The interview ended prematurely due to his breaking down and crying. There are many things to notice in this video. (See photo below.). Starting in 1947, they used 710 N. Camden Drive, which had been the home of MacDonald's mother until her death. [152], MacDonald was named Philadelphia's Woman of the Year in 1961. His breathing gets tense and a bit laboredwatch for that. She earned three gold records,[2] one for the LP album, Favorites in Stereo[3] that she did with Nelson Eddy in 1959.[179]. #botd #TyronePower #JeanetteMacDonald", "This lovely article chronicles a few of the acts that led to Jeanette MacDonald becoming #WomanOfTheYear in her hometown of Philadelphia, which she described as being "a more gratifying recognition than all". More about Jeanette MacDonald edit Dating History # 2 Gene Raymond 21 3 1937 - 1965 However, the time demands of doing a weekly live radio show while filming, touring in concerts, and making records proved enormously difficult, and after fainting on-air during one show, she decided not to renew her radio contract with Vicks at the end of the 26-week season. This interview is less than 24 hours after the first one where he can barely speak. Singer-actress Jeanette MacDonald is a perfect example of what, decades after her death, became known as a "classical crossover" artist. [5] She was the youngest of the three daughters of Anna May (ne Wright) and Daniel McDonald, a factory foreman[6] and a salesman for a contracting household building company,[7] respectively, and the younger sister of character actress Blossom Rock (born Edith McDonald), who was most famous as "Grandmama" on the 1960s TV series The Addams Family. [132] Stone, who lived in Milwaukee, was the nephew of the founder of the Wisconsin Boston Store, and worked in the family business. Jeanette MacDonald. Her sister Blossom said that the last 20 years of her life was borrowed time. Here is all you want to know, and more! I have heard several people say that Nelson gave himself away when he would discuss Jeanette in person they noticed the very same thing, the change in his voice and breathing and beaming joy and flushed facethis was a man whose emotions were fairly transparent. Her last play was Boom Boom in 1929, with her name above the title; the cast included young Archie Leach, who would later become Cary Grant.[21]. Director Ray Stricklyn Jesse James Willard Parker Cole Younger Merry Anders Belle Starr Robert Dix Frank James Emile Meyer William Quantrill Film Details Genre Biography Western Release Date Aug 1960 Premiere Information New York opening: 24 Aug 1960 Production Company Associated Producers, Inc. Distribution Company Jeanette MacDonald was an American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier and Nelson Eddy. [15] MacDonald played the second female lead in this long-running musical which starred Mitzi Hajos. Her nickname was MacDonald Jeanette Anna. She was 25 years old. MacDonald played a widow who has lost her son, but warms to orphan Claude Jarman Jr.[73] It would prove to be her final film. She is best remembered for her partnership with singer Nelson Eddy in a series of movies during the 1930s. MacDonald's performance was subdued, and choreographer Busby Berkeley, just hired away from Warner Bros., was called upon to add an over-the-top finale in an effort to improve the film. About Elsie MacDonald. She also did command performances at the White House for President Dwight D. The unfinished manuscript was published and annotated in 2004. Im married to the most wonderful man, Gene Raymond, whom Im deeply in love with, and, my career is right where I want it to be. [18] Planned as a sequel to producer H.H. sister. [158] In one early version she intended to candidly discuss Nelson Eddy but dropped that idea when Eddy feared public fallout. Born Jeanette Anna MacDonald inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 18, 1903 (her burial crypt reads 1907, but as a young girl she enrolled in school by presenting birth records that stated 1903); died while preparing for open heart surgery on January 14, 1965, in Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas; daughter of Daniel MacDonald (a building She appears as a ghost (unseen by Brian) occasionally throughout the movie and her death is shown in a flashback when Brian tells the niece . [173][174][175], Over the decades, MacDonald and Eddy privately occupied several homes together. Jeanette Anna MacDonald Other Names Jenni Jam The Iron Butterfly Mac Jeanette Anna MacDonald Jeanette MacDonald Age 61 (age at death) Date of Birth 18 June 1903 Birthplace Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Date of Death 14 January 1965 Location of Death Houston, Texas, USA Cause of Death Heart Attack Build Average Height 5' 4" (163 cm) Eye Color Blue [66] MacDonald played a dual roleMoonyean, a Victorian girl accidentally murdered by a jealous lover, and Kathleen, her niece, who falls in love with the son of the murderer. [22] In 1929, famed film director Ernst Lubitsch was looking through old screen tests of Broadway performers and spotted MacDonald. Jeanette Anna Macdonald Birth Place Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Born June 18, 1903 Died January 14, 1965 Cause of Death Heart Attack Following Abdominal Adhesions Biography Read More : June 18, 1907 (Philadelphia, PA) D.O.D. The more than 40 guest stars included Marlene Dietrich, W.C. Fields, Sophie Tucker, and Orson Welles. Nelson Eddy Cries When Interviewed After the Death of His Longtime Lover, Jeanette MacDonald Hear 1930s movie star Nelson Eddy break down during an interview regarding the death of his co-star and secret lover of 30 years, Jeanette MacDonald. [42] It had a huge budget of $1.6 million,[42] partially because it was filmed simultaneously in French as La Veuve Joyeuse, with a French supporting cast and some minor plot changes.[43]. Selected from H is for Hawk VINTAGE MINIS: GREAT MINDS. She was Movies (Actress) by profession. Although highly praised by reviewers at the time,[35] only one reel of this film survives. Robertson had reportedly been struggling "with a severe illness" in the days leading up to her death. [46] When the Canadian Mounties temporarily retired their distinctive hat in 1970, photos of Eddy in his Rose Marie uniform appeared in thousands of U.S. newspapers. It just wasnt in the cards, I guess. (Jeanette MacDonald), I cant believe how blessed I am! "[2] The following year, MacDonald starred in two of the highest-grossing films of that year. MacDonald and her husband Gene Raymond toured in Ferenc Molnr's The Guardsman. Another Rida Johnson Young script, but with somewhat poorer standards of production. . The script by Anita Loos suffered serious censorship cuts during filming that made the result less successful. Movie star. [16], The following year, 1926, found MacDonald still in a second female lead in Bubblin' Over, a musical version of Brewster's Millions. After initially insisting that she wanted to film Smilin' Through with James Stewart[62] and Robert Taylor,[63] MacDonald finally relented and agreed to film New Moon (1940) with Eddy, which proved to be one of MacDonald's more popular films. [78] During her 39-year career, MacDonald earned two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (for films and recordings) and planted her feet in the wet concrete in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater. "[165] Nevertheless, MacDonald had additional, later, documented and visible pregnancies while married to Raymond, all of which ended in miscarriage. The situation ended with MacDonald losing her baby at nearly 6 months. HiFi Stereo Review 1979 04 (1) - Free ebook download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read book online for free. Date of Death: January 14, 1965 Place of Death: Houston, Texas, U.S. He was also a surprise guest when she hosted a war-bonds program called Guest Star, and they sang on other World War II victory shows together. After opening the Metropolitan Opera's membership campaign,[71] MacDonald appeared as herself in Follow the Boys (1944), an all-star extravaganza about Hollywood stars entertaining the troops. Jeanette was a very talented operatic singer/lyrical soprano, with a wide vocal range, E above high C, close to 3 octaves. Death: 1970 (76-77) Immediate Family: . Of those four stars, MacDonald was the only one whom Mayer would rehire.[69]. The film was highly regarded by critics and operetta lovers in major U.S. cities and Europe, but failed to generate much income outside urban areas, losing $113,000. [106] MacDonald was the only daughter in the family that had inherited both her father's red hair and blue-green eyes,[7] although she often admired her sisters' beauty, such as Blossom's dimples[107] and her elder sister Elsie's (1893[106]1970[108]) blonde hair and blue eyes. [161] MacDonald said that publishers wanted her to spice up her story. [128] He was an architecture student at New York University and the son of a successful bottle manufacturer. [138] The Raymonds lived in a 21-room Mock Tudor mansion named Twin Gables with their pet dogs and their horse White Lady, which Raymond gave to MacDonald as a birthday present;[141] after MacDonald's death, it was briefly owned by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and Papas. (Look at his smile and the private moment he seems to have as he chuckles over her and defends her for being late to set in the first place.). [145], The funeral took place on January 18. [76] It never moved beyond the discussion stages partly because of MacDonald's failing health. Shes a smart she was always a smart girl, he saysand those who have read the book Sweethearts know that he liked to call her my girl. I mean, who wouldnt want to look at the rushes? he defends her. [79], In the mid-1950s, MacDonald toured in summer-stock productions of Bitter Sweet and The King and I. In a handwritten 1935 letter by Nelson to "Dearest Jeanette," written on his letterhead, Nelson Eddy writes: "I love you and will always be devoted to you. Jeannette Anna McDonald (Jenni, JAM, The Iron Butterfly, Mac) was born on 18 June, 1903 in Philadelphia, PA, is an American singer. The lessons which I had started with a kind of suspicious curiosity turned out to be sheer delight for me. [82] Officially, it was announced as heat prostration, but in fact it was a heart seizure. [106] Although he had hoped for a son who would pursue "an American dream" life that he believed he had failed to live himself, he advised his three daughters to do this instead. [169] Raymond's wedding to MacDonald, orchestrated by Louis B. Mayer, forced MacDonald to become Raymond's "beard," and the 1938 arrest resulted in Mayer blacklisting him in Hollywood for almost two years. Location: Forest Lawn Glendale; Freedom Mausoleum . During the 1930s and 1940s she starred in 29 feature films, four nominated for Best Picture Oscars (The Love Parade, One Hour with You, Naughty Marietta and San Francisco), and recorded extensively, earning three gold records. [32] MacDonald next signed a three-picture deal with the Fox Film Corporation, a controversial move in Hollywood; every other studio was far superior in the eyes of many, from their budgets to the fantastical entertainment of their films. [144], Raymond was sometimes mistaken for Nelson Eddy by MacDonald's fans and passersby, which MacDonald later admitted that she never liked: "Of course we always laughed it offsometimes Gene even obliged by signing Nelson's namebut no one will ever know the agonies I suffered on such occasions. Los Angeles, June 25, 2023. Anyone who has read my book Sweethearts knows what an absolute crock of nonsense that was, particularly at this point of the story! In the summer of 1945, she appeared with the Cincinnati Opera as Juliette in two performances of Romo et Juliette (July 10 and 25) and one as Marguerite in Faust (July 15). It is crude and shrill on the ears. Her last public appearance, singing "Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life", was at the funeral of Louis B. Mayer. But this cannot apply to all because of their career and busy schedules. Jeanette MacDonald. She got the lead in Thalberg's property The Merry Widow (1934), and her next MGM vehicle, Naughty Marietta (1935) brought her together with Nelson Eddy. [citation needed] In addition, MacDonald was one of the top-10 box-office attractions in Great Britain from 1937 to 1942. Jeanette Anna MacDonald (June 18, 1903 - January 14, 1965) was an American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier ( Love Me Tonight, The Merry Widow) and Nelson Eddy ( Naughty Marietta, Rose-Marie, and Maytime ). Jeanette MacDonald (English) 1 reference. [70] Within one year, beginning in 1942, L.B. [149] Newsreel footage shows Nelson Eddy as the last person to exit the church, with Lauritz Melchior and other celebrities offering him condolences. MacDonald earned gold records for "Ah! September 12, 2014 @ Birthday: June 18, 1903 Date of Death: January 14, 1965 Age at Death: 61 Live Live Death Statistics Worldwide and The United States Is Jeanette MacDonald's father, Daniel MacDonald, dead or alive? When approached by the House Un-American Activities Committee about whether she had heard any gossip about Communist activity in Hollywood, she replied, "As at any focal point, there are some belligerents, but they are no more numerous than in any other community. [153] Of the award, she said, "It is strange how awards, decorations, doctorates, etc., can be conferred from various parts of the country, and even the world. [151], MacDonald was awarded an honorary doctor of music degree from Ithaca College in 1956. Jeanette MacDonald (Jeanette Anna MacDonald) Actress and Singer. ), Jeanette MacDonald in the 40s (100 pp. She was American by nationality. [155], The USC Thornton School of Music built a Jeanette MacDonald Recital Hall in her honor. Jeanette MacDonald Cause of Death A healthy life can lead us to live for a longer time. [177] After their 1943 visit, Eddy wrote a lengthy diary entry about their trip and his love for her, calling her "my wife," which he did in private to the end of her life. Which, by the way, he mistakenly attributes to the film Sweethearts when it was actually their first movie Naughty Marietta. This should indicate how traumatized he was he was a very meticulous, precise man who would never make such a blunder in the retelling of an anecdote if he wasnt sleep-deprived and emotionally drained. Van Dyke. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. She was the third daughter of Daniel and Anne MacDonald, younger sister to Blossom (MGM's character actress Marie Blake), whom she followed to New York and a chorus job in 1920. Many thanks to all for your never ending work in bringing all these many articles about our Jeanette and Nelson to us. Alias confirmed: Nelson and Jeanette Randall?! (And that is a horror story on its ownbut not the topic of this article.). In the summer of 1936, filming began on Maytime, co-starring Nelson Eddy, Frank Morgan, and Paul Lukas, produced by Irving Thalberg. She went to Europe where she met Irving Thalberg and his wife Norma Shearer (whom she loaned both her hairdresser and chauffeur). Sweet Mystery of Life" and "Italian Street Song. English Wikipedia. [156], A bronze plaque for MacDonald was unveiled in March 1988 on the Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame in Raymond's presence. A talented lyrical soprano, she had a wide vocal range, E above high C, close to three octaves. Background Rural and smaller urban settings in Canada are disproportionately impacted by the overdose crisis, highlighting the need for novel public health interventions within these jurisdictions. Singer actress. These included The Merry Widow, Naughty Marietta, Rose Marie, Maytime,[101] Sweethearts, Bitter Sweet, Smilin' Through, and The Sun Comes Up, plus other operettas and musicals such as Victor Herbert's Mlle Modiste, Irene,[102] The Student Prince, Tonight or Never with Melvyn Douglas, A Song for Clotilda, The Gift of the Magi, and Apple Blossoms. During her career she was also billed as Marie Blake or Blossom MacDonald. This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 00:46. In 1953, MacDonald sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, broadcast on both radio and TV. She also appeared as his guest several times on his various radio shows such as The Electric Hour and The Kraft Music Hall. Hers is next to Nat King Cole, and George Burns and Gracie Allen. We follow the aged Miss Morrison (Jeanette MacDonald) as she visits the opening set-piece, a children's maypole dance. Few details were known of Stone's romance with MacDonald until the discovery of hundreds of pages of handwritten love letters she wrote to him that were found in his apartment after his death, which happened three years after her death. She sang on The Voice of Firestone on November 13, 1950. She was popular for being a Movie Actress. [86] Due to her heart condition, she could not carry a pregnancy to term; she had blackouts and fainting spells, became stressed to the point of not being able to eat, and was frequently in and out of hospitals and trying different treatments (one being massage therapy),[120] which only worked for a limited time.
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