 "My grandparents are thrilled..." | 2007-03-12 |
| - Reviewed By User: AY167EC4I1E9A |
| I bought this movie for my grandparents. I have never seen it but having it arrive in the mail to them after they searched and searched for it locally; made my grandpa cry. |
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| "Within Reason ~ The Perfect Ingenue" | 2006-03-27 |
| - Reviewed By shep1304 |
When I talk with people about prejudice. I remind them that blind rejection of someone who could become a very good friend is inane and self-defeating. The same can be applied to those "modernists" who reject the innocent and great movies of the 1930s to the 50s and even some 1960s, because "they ain't with it, man." They'll never know some great joys such as the grand musicals such as the great period love story about (in part) the democracizing of France as experienced by New World Travelers. The Nelson Eddy-Jeanette MacDonald movies are classic examples, from which many of the greatest American love songs have come. "New Moon," for example. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and music by Sigmund Romberg? Untouchable!!
Point # 2: The "perfect ingenue" -- in my view -- must be dainty, female, of course, innocent --though "innocent coyness" in flirting is permitted, and modest in the old-fashioned way.
Ingenues must also be great singers, with preference to high sopranos, not mezzos. Cyd Charisses is too tall, Leslie Caron, too French, Doris Day too tomboyish in addition to not being a soprano. Eleanor Powell flashed her gorgeous gams too provocatively to be an ingenue. Maybe there ought to be a contest by Turner or Amazon on this. Anyway, this narrows the field down to 2: Jeanette MacDonald (New Moon) and Kathryn Grayson (Showboat.) My vote is for Jeanette MacDonald who is ravishingly coquettish, and THE perfect ingenue. In the early scene where the rebel duke in disguise is flirting with the pleased but guarded aristocrat, Marianne, he kisses her hand which delights her, surprises her and tips her a little off-balance. She says, "You're a romantic fellow, aren't you?," trying to maintain her poise. He replies Yes, aren't you? and in haste she replies, "Well, within reason." YOWSAH!
Is this not perfection? Jeanette has the title. This movie has some of the wittiest dialogue you'll ever hear. Arguements?
See this great, fetching, classic musical love-story and enjoy. |
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 "Nelson Eddy and Jeanette McDonald" | 2004-06-30 |
| - Reviewed By joe@joepierre.com |
This film was made in 1940 when Nelson Eddy and Jeanette McDonald were at their peak. Both singers could emote. They didn't need to swallow the microphone as they do today, with their thin, breathy style of singing, depending upon technology to be heard.
The story revolves around a French Duke who, during the revolution, gives up his title, frees his bonded servants, and heads for New Orleans by ship, posing as a servant(footman). On the voyage he meets Jeanette McDonald, where a love/hate relationship develops. He is sold as a slave,takes over the ship, is shipwrecked on an uncharted tropical island, and their relationship takes the inevitable course. This is a musical, and so McDonald and Eddy regale us with several songs. it is no wonder that they were such popular singers. They actually harmonized, in those days. Refreshing, indeed. Joseph (Joe) Pierre
author of The Descendants of Thomas Pier
and other books |
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| "A PRIME MACDONALD & EDDY MUSICAL." | 2002-10-01 |
| - Reviewed By scotsladdie |
| A beautifully filmed version of the famous 1928 Hammerstein-Romberg operetta. In 1789, the Duke de Vidier, a young French aristocrat, renounces his claim of nobility to further the cause of the revolution by freeing the bond servants in New Orleans. While posing as a deported servant named Charles Michon, the Duke sails on a New Orleans bound ship where he meets the spoiled Marianne de Beaumanoir.......Naturally the above roles are filled by none other than Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald, respectively. The working title of this film was LOVER COME BACK, and it was sometimes broadcast on television as PARISIAN BELLE. An earlier 1931 version starred Grace Moore and Lawrence Tibbett. Buster Keaton and Nat Pendelton can be seen very briefly as bondsmen. The wonderful score includes such perennials as LOVER COME BACK TO ME, STOUTHEARTED MEN, SOFTLY AS IN A MORNING SUNRISE & ONE KISS. The steamboat scenes were shot at Santa Catalina Island by Clyde de Vinna. |
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| "A PRIME MACDONALD EDDY MUSICAL." | 2002-10-01 |
| - Reviewed By scotsladdie |
| A beautifully filmed version of the famous 1928 Hammerstein-Romberg operetta. In 1789, the Duke de Vidier, a young French aristocrat, renounces his claim of nobility to further the cause of the revolution by freeing the bond servants in New Orleans. While posing as a deported servant named Charles Michon, the Duke sails on a New Orleans bound ship where he meets the spoiled Marianne de Beaumanoir.......Naturally the above roles are filled by none other than Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald, respectively. The working title of this film was LOVER COME BACK, and it was sometimes broadcast on television as PARISIAN BELLE. An earlier 1931 version starred Grace Moore and Lawrence Tibbett. Buster Keaton and Nat Pendelton can be seen very briefly as bondsmen. The wonderful score includes such perennials as LOVER COME BACK TO ME, STOUTHEARTED MEN, SOFTLY AS IN A MORNING SUNRISE ONE KISS. The steamboat scenes were shot at Santa Catalina Island by Clyde de Vinna. |
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| "A beautifully done film." | 2001-08-25 |
| - Reviewed By marnieno1 |
| They don't make them like this anymore. This is one of Jeanette and Nelson's best films. Their are some really lovely and memorable songs, and a good storyline. I highly recommend this film. |
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| "New Moon" | 2000-10-15 |
| - Reviewed By charlyweaver |
| This movie is truely beautiful. The costumes, The photography, the lighting, and the music. This is my favorite of the MacDonald, and Eddy movies. |
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| "INCREDIBLE MUSIC AND PERFORMANCES" | 2000-09-20 |
| - Reviewed By elansix |
| A classic musical romantic comedy. Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy were at their superb best. Their onscreen chemistry while always good peaked in this movie. The supporting cast is also excellent. While the story is romantized the yearning of people for liberty is presented well. The costumes and sets were all beautiful. The only serious flaw is that the movie was presented in black and white. |
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| "A PRIME MACDONALD & EDDY MUSICAL." | |
| - Reviewed By Anonymous |
| A beautifully filmed version of the famous 1928 Hammerstein-Romberg operetta. In 1789, the Duke de Vidier, a young French aristocrat, renounces his claim of nobility to further the cause of the revolution by freeing the bond servants in New Orleans. While posing as a deported servant named Charles Michon, the Duke sails on a New Orleans bound ship where he meets the spoiled Marianne de Beaumanoir.......Naturally the above roles are filled by none other than Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald, respectively. The working title of this film was LOVER COME BACK, and it was sometimes broadcast on television as PARISIAN BELLE. An earlier 1931 version starred Grace Moore and Lawrence Tibbett. Buster Keaton and Nat Pendelton can be seen very briefly as bondsmen. The wonderful score includes such perennials as LOVER COME BACK TO ME, STOUTHEARTED MEN, SOFTLY AS IN A MORNING SUNRISE & ONE KISS. The steamboat scenes were shot at Santa Catalina Island by Clyde de Vinna. |
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