jeanette macdonald cause of death

[109] Elsie could play the piano, and taught toddler MacDonald a variety of popular waltzes and Stephen Foster's compositions. MacDonald made her opera debut singing Juliette in Gounod's Romo et Juliette in Montreal at His Majesty's Theatre (May 8, 1943). Although it was quickly hushed-up - with evidence that Macdonald paid $1,000 for the arrest to . [166] Raymond was arrested three times, the first in January 1938, as verified by a court document,[167] and also in England during his army service,[168] for his behavior. Indian Love Call. Collectible tobacco or cigarette card, 'Shots from Famous Films' series, published in 1935 by Gallaher Ltd, here actors Maurice Chevalier . During her career she was also billed as Marie Blake or Blossom MacDonald. Biography - A Short Wiki [74] Other thwarted projects with Eddy were The Rosary,[75] The Desert Song, and a remake of The Vagabond King, plus two movie treatments written by Eddy for them, Timothy Waits for Love and All Stars Don't Spangle. [33] Oh, for a Man! I find it telling that this poor man found more comfort in Anaheim with members of the press to talk to all night than say, for example, rushing back to Brentwood and finding solace with the woman Im married to ie, Ann Eddy. [157], MacDonald began developing an autobiography in the 1950s. Her first European tour was in 1931, where she sang in both France and England. - the movie, of course, was San Francisco (1936). I am quite sure that Jeanette would have developed into a serious and successful lieder singer if time would have allowed it."[94]. [112] Her characters always had a name beginning with M, the first letter of her surname and the 13th letter of the English alphabet, a ritual upon which she had insisted. MacDonald introduced "Beyond the Blue Horizon," which she recorded three times during her career, including performing it for the Hollywood Victory Committee film Follow the Boys. [156], A bronze plaque for MacDonald was unveiled in March 1988 on the Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame in Raymond's presence. [72] MacDonald is shown during a concert singing "Beyond the Blue Horizon," and in a studio-filmed sequence singing "I'll See You in My Dreams" to a blinded soldier. [51] With real-life Americans rushing to fight in the ongoing revolution in Spain, this historical vehicle was constructed around a previous revolution in Napoleonic times. [89] When she was home in Hollywood, she held an open house at her home on Sunday afternoons for GIs. Jeanette MacDonald is a 61 years old Singer actress from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. MacDonald's extensive radio career may have begun on a 1929 radio broadcast of the Publix Hour. 1991. For many years, this was the only available interview footage but just last week, our fellow sleuths Katie and Angela were able to obtain a TV interview done with Nelson Eddy the next day. They considered that "by God's laws" they were married, although they were never able to do so legally. [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. After a falling-out with Mayer, Eddy bought out his MGM contract (with one film left to make) and went to Universal, where he signed a million-dollar, two-picture deal. [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. grief after the sudden death of her father, Helen Macdonald found herself turning to the wild for comfort. His breathing gets tense and a bit laboredwatch for that. Jeanette MacDonald was an American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier and Nelson Eddy. She was Movies (Actress) by profession. In the 1960s, MacDonald was approached about starring on Broadway in a musical version of Sunset Boulevard. She was American by nationality. Forest Lawn Memorial Park. During the 1930s and 1940s she starred in 29 feature films, four nominated for Best Picture Oscars, and recorded extensively, earning three gold records. [145], The funeral took place on January 18. [82] Officially, it was announced as heat prostration, but in fact it was a heart seizure. 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 (The Love Parade, Love Me Tonight, The Merry Widow and One Hour With You) and Nelson Eddy (Naughty Marietta, Rose-Marie, and Maytime). [152], MacDonald was named Philadelphia's Woman of the Year in 1961. 8 references. [121] Her illnesses would not allow her to perform early morning filming shoots, much to her colleagues' annoyance. She was popular for being a Movie Actress. Lyrics, Song Meanings, Videos, Full Albums & Bios: Isle of Formentera (Ciree Remix) - Continuous Mix Version, San Francisco, Isle of Formentera (Ciree Remix), Blue Mountains, Summerlust (Tom Bro Remix), It's Complicated, Voyage - myni8hte Remix, Isle of Her zodiac sign is Gemini. [155], The USC Thornton School of Music built a Jeanette MacDonald Recital Hall in her honor. Norm Macdonald was known for his offbeat and absurdist humor, and a cultish following that lasted long after his time as "Weekend Update" anchor on SNL in the mid-'90s. The movie actress Jeanette MacDonald died at the age of 61. [132] Stone, who lived in Milwaukee, was the nephew of the founder of the Wisconsin Boston Store, and worked in the family business. [48] A new script was filmed with a different storyline and supporting actors (including John Barrymore,[49] whose relationship with MacDonald was strained due to his alcoholism). 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. Jeanette Macdonald and Nelson Eddy Sing "Ah Sweet Mystery of Life" and Other Favourites. Rumors circulated that they were engaged and/or secretly married,[135] since Ritchie was by MacDonald's side during her European tour and they lived together[136]MacDonald even signing her return address as "JAR" (Jeanette Anna Ritchie)[135] and referring to him as her "darling husband. Anyone who has read my book Sweethearts knows what an absolute crock of nonsense that was, particularly at this point of the story! 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 (The Love Parade, Love Me Tonight, The Merry Widow and One Hour With You) and Nelson Eddy (Naughty Marietta, Rose-Marie, and Maytime). [159] She hired and fired other ghostwriters and wrote a manuscript solo but it was rejected by the publisher for being "too genteel";[160] MacDonald refused to include many personal details about Eddy and she deleted already typed pages admitting to one single pregnancy that ended in miscarriage. 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. [178], MacDonald performed and recorded more than 50 songs during her career, working exclusively for RCA Victor in the United States. MacDonald was one of the most influential sopranos of the 20th century, introducing opera to film-going audiences and inspiring a generation of singers. 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 died on January 14, 1965 in Houston, Texas while awaiting emergency open-heart surgery by world famous heart specialist Dr. Michael DeBakey. Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy Home Page", "Nelson Eddy: "The most miserable day of my life" (Jeanette MacDonald's funeral)", "Gods and Foolish Grandeur: Gene Raymond, Buddy Rogers, and three rather odd Hollywood marriages", "Jeanette MacDonald | Nelson Eddy Biography Part 3 Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy Home Page", "Jeanette MacDonald pregnancy screenshot Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy Home Page", "Lake Tahoe trip, 1948 Jeanette MacDonald & Nelson Eddy Home Page", "An Excerpt from "Sweethearts" Sharon Rich", "Religious Songs sung by Jeanette MacDonald", "Jeanette MacDonald's Operetta Favorites", "Jeanette MacDonald Sings Songs of Faith and Inspriation", The Rosary by Florence L. Barclay, new introduction by Sharon Rich, comments by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, Sweethearts: The Timeless Love Affair Onscreen and Off Between Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jeanette_MacDonald&oldid=1142003300, Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale), 20th-century American women opera singers, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2008, TCMDb name template using non-numeric ID from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Performed with the Music Under the Stars Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jerzy Bojanowski, Performed with the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, conducted by, Performed with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, conducted by, Performed with the Stadium Concerts Symphony Orchestra, conducted by, Performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by, Performed with the Music Under the Stars Orchestra, conducted by John Anello, "Aimez-moi ce soir", "Reviens", "Parlez-moi d'amour", ", "Lehn' Deine Wang an Meine Wang" (A. Jensen), "Ich Liebe Dich" (E. Grieg), ", It was roughly at this point when other songs were included in the concerts, such as ", Supporting acts: Mickey Sharp (comic), Yvonne Moray (singer), and The Harem Dancers, This was a mixture of a concert and a stage play, which was entirely in French, Also featured The New Wayburn Rhythm Dancers, The Rex Appeal Girls, and The Mangan-Tillerex Dancers, MacDonald also danced with Bill Alcorn and Jack Mattis, Eddy, Nelson, "All Stars Don't Spangle" movie treatment for himself and MacDonald, reprinted in its entirety in. Search instead in Creative? Both were inspired by the death of a parent: in Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal . MacDonald appeared on early TV, most frequently as a singing guest star. 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 Learn How rich is She in this year and how She spends money? Her funeral was held on January 18, 1965, at Forest Lawn Cemetery. [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. She sang several times at the Hollywood Bowl[87] and Carnegie Hall. Rouben Mamoulian directed Love Me Tonight (1932), considered by many film critics and writers to be the perfect film musical. This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 00:46. For me, the most striking was the change in his expression and entire countenance when he tells the story of how Jeanette was in the dog house after angering director Woody Van Dyke for showing up late on set. In 1963, MacDonald and Raymond moved into two adjoining apartments at the Wilshire Comstock in Westwood, on the 8th floor in the East building. Her first MGM film was The Cat and the Fiddle (1934), based on the Jerome Kern Broadway hit. Victor Herbert's 1910 score, with songs like "Ah! She was born on June 18, 1903 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. MacDonald also played the lead in her next two plays: Sunny Days[19] in 1928 in her first show for the producers Lee and J.J. Shubert, for which she received rave reviews; and Angela (1928),[20] which the critics panned. Death: 1970 (76-77) Immediate Family: . On April 25, 1972, at age 65, Sanders swallowed five bottles of Nembutal in a hotel room in Castelldefels, Spain, and took his final curtain. Its a privately owned cemetery in Glendale, California, United States. Jeanette MacDonald (1903 - 1965) Nelson Eddy (1901 - 1967)Farewell To Dreams from the "first" Maytime scrapped after the death of Irving Thalberg. In 1995 she was awarded a Dame of Merit by the Knights of Malta for her contribution to History and Literature. . '"[110], MacDonald cited the number thirteen as her lucky number. There couldn't have been a more diligent, a more serious, a more pliable person than Jeanette. [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. [28] Let's Go Native was a desert-island comedy directed by Leo McCarey,[29] co-starring the likes of Jack Oakie and Kay Francis. I WARNER BROS. 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. [171], At that time Mayer adamantly refused to allow MacDonald to annul her marriage and elope. Although highly praised by reviewers at the time,[35] only one reel of this film survives. The Boys & Girls Club will host a blood drive Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the clubhouse, located at 26301 Garbani Road. "[154], Shortly after MacDonald's death, surviving classmates from her high school contributed a $150 donation in her name to the Children's Heart Hospital of Philadelphia. 2003. He also tells an incorrect story of when he first met Jeanette although he is honest in saying it was on personal terms rather than for the start of Naughty Marietta. He very well may have gone to a party at Jeanettes home for a public function but there is ample documentation to show that by November 1933 they had already had their first disastrous date, she was attending his local concerts and he had already- to her amazement asked her to marry him. Jeanette Winterson and Helen Macdonald's books read like opposites but share so much in the making. Three Daring Daughters (1948) co-starred Jos Iturbi as her love interest. Although a cause of death was not given, her team previously confirmed the illness she suffered from was "not Covid related." MacDonald performed at the Mayo Civic Auditorium in Rochester, Minnesota[86] on April 19, 1939, to open that venue before an audience. 2013. Jeanette MacDonald (English) 1 reference. She suffered heart ailments and, after an arterial transplant in 1963, died of a heart attack in Houston in 1965. Singer actress. September 8, 2014 @ Eddy's definitive portrayal of the steadfast Mountie became a popular icon. Claudia Cassidy, the music critic of the Chicago Tribune wrote, "Her Juliet is breathtakingly beautiful to the eye and dulcet to the ear. Survived by her daughter Sharon MacDonald and son-in-law Armando Pineda and sister Maureen Gadbois (Pich) and many nieces and nephews. 2007. Well, take a close look at the video and see whether you dont notice the same thing when he tells that story. 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. In December 1956, MacDonald and Eddy made their first TV appearance as a team on the Lux Video Theatre Holiday Special. MacDonald earned gold records for "Ah! The situation ended with MacDonald losing her baby at nearly 6 months. [26], 1930 was an extremely busy year for Paramount and MacDonald. imported from Wikimedia project. [162], Despite public denials from the stars themselves of any personal relationship between Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, documentation shows otherwise. ), Nelson Eddy in the 30s and 40s (128 pp. [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). Its all over him. The film integrated Victor Herbert's 1913 stage score into a modern backstage story scripted by Dorothy Parker and Alan Campbell. 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 Jeanette filled the years of World War II with stage performances like many other actors while husband Gene Raymond served our country overseas as a bomber pilot . 0 references. "[13] In 1922, she was a featured singer in the Greenwich Village revue Fantastic Fricassee,[14] for which good press notices brought her a role in The Magic Ring the next year. [93], Unlike Nelson Eddy, who came from opera to film, MacDonald in the 1940s yearned to reinvent herself in opera. On February 2, 1956, MacDonald starred in Prima Donna,[105] a television pilot for her own series, written for her by her husband Gene Raymond. Thanks to Katie and Angela for uncovering this unhappy but important gem and making it available for viewing. MacDonald had been suffering heart problems for decades (including at least two heart attacks in . (After Eddy's death, his widow Ann learned of the apartment and moved into it. [41] Despite a Technicolor finalethe first use of the new three-color Technicolor process other than Disney cartoonsthe film was not a huge success. A wonderful article. [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. Resident Evil Village voice actress Jeanette Maus has died at the age of 39 following an eight-month battle with colon cancer. 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 . 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. She was busy in a string of musical productions. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Daniel and Anne MacDonald, she first . I shall be at the funeral on Monday. "[76], MacDonald also made a few nightclub appearances. [143] Although she appreciated his support, MacDonald wished that their success was equal. He said that their last conversation was when MacDonald said, "I love you," and he replied, "I love you too;" she then sighed deeply, and her head hit the pillow. While MacDonald was appearing in Angela,[20] film star Richard Dix spotted her and had her screen-tested for his film Nothing but the Truth. In the 1950s, talks with respect to a Broadway return occurred. In the summer of 1936, filming began on Maytime, co-starring Nelson Eddy, Frank Morgan, and Paul Lukas, produced by Irving Thalberg. Jeanette MacDonald ( June 18, 1903 & ndash; 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 (1903 - 1965) Smilin' Through (1941) [Moonyean Clare/Kathleen]: Playing a dual role as aunt and niece, the aunt "Moonyean" is shot in the chest by Gene Raymond at their wedding; she dies in Brian Aherne's arms shortly afterwards. [129] MacDonald next dated Irving Stone (1901-1968)[132] from around 192628; they met when she was touring in Chicago in The Magic Ring. "[25] The Vagabond King (1930) was a lavish two-strip Technicolor film version of Rudolf Friml's hit 1925 operetta. I had the surprise of my life. MacDonald had a reported eight pregnancies by Eddy, the first while they were filming Rose Marie. In Rose-Marie, MacDonald played a haughty opera diva who learns her young brother (pre-fame James Stewart) has killed a Mountie and is hiding in the northern woods; Eddy is the Mountie sent to capture him. He is so darling when hes recounting the doghouse storypoor guy. She was also famous from other names as Jenni, JAM, The Iron Butterfly, Mac, Jeanette MacDonald. She is most remembered for The Merry Widow. But his feelings about his girl are so evidenthe is so, so on her side and in her corner. She is considered by many to be the leading authority on MacDonald and Eddy in the world. [citation needed] In addition, MacDonald was one of the top-10 box-office attractions in Great Britain from 1937 to 1942. [138] She met him at a Hollywood party two years earlier at Roszika Dolly's home;[139] MacDonald agreed to a date, as long as it was at her family's dinner table. [16], The following year, 1926, found MacDonald still in a second female lead in Bubblin' Over, a musical version of Brewster's Millions. For her next project she insisted Clark Gable should co-star. [110] At this time, MacDonald discovered that she was an extrovert who enjoyed socializing with friends and performing for others, admitting that "[I] needed people to watch and applaud me as much as I needed food and drink. [149] Newsreel footage shows Nelson Eddy as the last person to exit the church, with Lauritz Melchior and other celebrities offering him condolences. [81] While performing there, she collapsed. Van Dyke. ), Collections of contemporary newspaper and magazine references in the following: Jeanette MacDonald in the 30s. 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 Here is all you want to know, and more! ), representatives of her fan club, former presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower, Senator George Murphy, former vice-president Richard Nixon, future governor & president Ronald Reagan, and Mary Pickford; Dr. Gene Emmet Clark of the Church of Religious Science officiated. BIG . She hoped to enter grand opera; she did take lessons and gave concert recitals. Only Eddy starred, whereas MacDonald and Lew Ayres co-starred in Broadway Serenade (1939) as a contemporary musical couple who clash when her career flourishes while his founders. Months later she summoned her manager Bob Ritchie from London to help her renegotiate. Jeanette MacDonald. She went to Europe where she met Irving Thalberg and his wife Norma Shearer (whom she loaned both her hairdresser and chauffeur). Jeanette MacDonald. Jeanette MacDonald Cause of Death A healthy life can lead us to live for a longer time. [131] Unfortunately, the Ohmeis family would lose a lot of their fortune after the Wall Street Crash, so MacDonald loaned money to Jack, and he repaid her as soon as he could, which was as late as the 1950s. But this cannot apply to all because of their career and busy schedules. [50] "Will You Remember" by Sigmund Romberg brought MacDonald another gold record. [15] In 1925, MacDonald again had the second female lead opposite Queenie Smith in Tip Toes, a George Gershwin hit show. More about Jeanette MacDonald edit Dating History # 2 Gene Raymond 21 3 1937 - 1965 [76] Harold Prince recounts in his autobiography visiting MacDonald at her home in Bel Air to discuss the proposed project. [76] Composer Hugh Martin also wrote a song for the musical, entitled "Wasn't It Romantic? [72] MacDonald plays a divorce whose lively daughters (Jane Powell, Ann E. Todd, and Elinor Donahue) keep trying to get her back with her ex, but she has secretly remarried. While this pleased her fans, the show closed before reaching Broadway. Birth Name: Jeannette Anna McDonald Date of Birth: June 18, 1903 Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. [23] He cast her as the leading lady in The Love Parade, his first sound film, which starred Maurice Chevalier. And I'm perfectly happy. Norm Macdonald, the acerbic, sometimes controversial comedian familiar to millions as the "Weekend Update" anchor on " Saturday Night Live " from 1994 to 1998, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. : June 18, 1907 (Philadelphia, PA) D.O.D. [81] Her production of The King and I opened August 20, 1956, at the Starlight Theatre. "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. "[126], MacDonald met Jack Ohmeis (1901-1967)[127] at a party during her appearance in Tangerine. (And that is a horror story on its ownbut not the topic of this article.). Two actors of the day who faced slightly different, yet equally challenging adjustments, were Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald. "[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]. Her sister Blossom said that the last 20 years of her life was borrowed time. [2], The Firefly (1937) was MacDonald's first solo-starring film at MGM with her name alone above the title. Jeanette MacDonald's death was a long time coming; she had a bad heart and had a slow decline. [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. The press reported a "severe cold' was the cause of MacDonald's illness. Another telling part of this interview is when he is asked if their relationship changed when he became as big a movie star as she was due to Naughty Marietta. As my friend Bern pointed out, there is a momentary glimmer of panic and wariness and he tells the interviewer he doesnt understand the question. Rich lives in New York City. I can live like this forever! (Jeanette MacDonald), I have no inhibitions about smoking or drinking, but I think too much of my voice to place it in jeopardy. The song "The Dickey Bird" made the hit parade. [90] President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who considered MacDonald and Eddy two of his favorite film stars, awarded her a medal. McDonald Sisters: Elsie (on left), Edith (aka, Blossom Rock), and Jeanette. She later appeared in grand opera, concerts, radio, [] [31] She returned to MGM after five years off the screen for two films. 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. [83] Despite less-than-enthusiastic comments from critics, the show played to full houses for virtually every performance. From Nelsons first interviews, where he admits having talked to Jeanette about a week before her death about getting together for dinner, he has now whipped that story into shape and for this interview, its all about Nelson and Ann, Jeanette and Gene talking about having dinner together as a happy foursome. She wanted her readers to both be inspired by her career and understand how she had coped with balancing a public and personal life. Despite music by Rudolf Friml, the film was not successful. [172], Other co-stars and friends verified the MacDonald/Eddy relationship. In 1928 Paramount tested and rejected her, but a year later Ernst Lubitsch saw her test and picked her to play opposite Maurice . "[61], Following Broadway Serenade, and not coincidentally right after Nelson Eddy's surprise elopement with Ann Franklin, MacDonald left Hollywood on a concert tour and refused to renew her MGM contract. [76] 20th Century Fox also toyed with the idea of MacDonald (Irene Dunne was briefly considered) for the part of Mother Abbess in the film version of The Sound of Music. In contrast to the previous film, the co-stars were relaxed onscreen and singing frequently together.