Naughty Marietta (1935): For it is Love that Rules Forevermore

The world around me awakens from a deep slumber. Silent trees now begin to boldly burst forth, bearing young buds on their graceful fingertips. Birdsong is carried limb to limb exchanged in aerial harmonies. Springtime.

Life and love is in the air.

This time of year my heart yearns for the exquisite films of MGM’s “Singing Sweethearts” – Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. Jeanette, a lyrical soprano, and Nelson, a classically trained baritone, sang their way into the hearts of the movie going public with tales of bravery and love.

Their films are an escape from everything ugly and uncertain, into a world of beauty.

It is easy to see why, like those of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, their films provided comfort for audiences living through the Great Depression and the start of a Second World War. Their successful pairing in the 30’s and 40’s produced a total of 8 films, beginning with the vibrantly witty Naughty Marietta (1935).

Marietta began its life as Victor Herbert’s most successful operetta, which premiered on Broadway in 1910. Snatched up by Louis B. Mayer who thought it would be a perfect vehicle for Jeanette MacDonald and tenor Allan Jones (The Firefly). But when production on Naughty Marietta rolled began, Jones was unavailable. Replacing him would be an opera star who was considered the “highest paid singer in the world” in his time, but had yet to find his niche on the big screen – Nelson Eddy.

And the rest, as they say, is motion picture history.

The film borrows the music from its stage origin, but reworks Rida Johnson Young’s libretto with a sparkling script by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett (The Thin Man) and John Lee Mahin (Red Dust). Hunt Stromberg, who gave us such classics as The Thin Man series, The Women, and Pride and Prejudice produced and at the director’s helm W. S. Van Dyke and Robert Z. Leonard, who went on to direct some of the team’s most popular films.

What puts the “naughty” in Marietta?

Well…what’s an 18th century French princess (MacDonald) to do when her uncle forces her to marry a stuffy nobleman? Why, run away of course…while assuming her maid’s identity. And sail to the Americas as a casquette girl who gets captured by a crew of fearsome pirates only to be narrowly rescued by a handsome mercenary (Eddy) and his troops.

You get the idea.

Rousing adventure meets lighthearted fun. Especially when Frank Morgan, who plays the befuddled governor of Louisiana, amusingly steals every scene, while trying to evade Elsa Lanchester who plays his wife.

But when the music starts, and our lovers join in song for the first time we know we are witnessing one of cinema’s most beautiful moments. And all before that was lighthearted fluff becomes serious and sacred.

Once a vacant melody that haunted our heroine suddenly beckons with words full of meaning and purpose. “Now my heart knows the answer to its calling.”

For me to post a clip of the songbirds coming together for the first time would be a disservice, both to you as an audience, and to the collective artistry of MacDonald and Eddy. Only upon viewing the scene in context can the full effect be produced.

The care and attention to detail MGM invested in Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy’s films was second to none. The production values simply don’t get any better. Lavish sets, sumptuous costumes (gowns by Adrian), and colorful supporting cast members. The music sets the mood with its bright and romantic tone.

All of this is evident within the very first scene of Naughty Marietta, which, for newcomers, makes this film a worthy introduction to their work.

What makes the MacDonald and Eddy movies special is the magic that happens when they are on screen together. Jeanette charmingly resists, but ultimately is no match for Nelson’s passionate pursual.

The formula is nothing new, but it works due to the undeniable chemistry between the stars, while the profundity of their connection makes us forget we are staring at a screen inhabiting the land of make believe. That these two will never see each other again is as true as it will ever be, and as their hearts break at the thought, ours do as well.

Once swept away into this dreamy confection and pulled back into reality, we are reminded of the things that really matter.

True love – of which romance is but a facet. The loyal bonds shared between friends. The comradery felt for our neighbors. And the sacrifices made for our family. This is what will last.

“For it is love that rules forevermore.”

Fun Facts & Trivia

• Naughty Marietta was nominated for Best Picture and Best Sound Recording in 1936. Douglas Shearer (brother of Norma Shearer) earned the latter for his work on the film, one of his many Oscar wins.
• Adriana Caselotti (the voice of Disney’s Snow White) makes one of her rare screen appearances as a singer in the “Italian Street Song” scene. See if you can spot her!

I’d love to hear your memories of the MacDonald and Eddy films! Which one is your favorite? Let’s chat in the comments!

This post is my contribution to the Screen Debuts & Last Hurrahs Blogathon hosted by the Classic Movie Blog Association! Click here for more sparkling debuts and grand exits from the greats of the silver screen.