Jeanette MacDonald

Jeanette MacDonald was given two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to Recordings and Motion Pictures.
. 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MacDonald Autobiography: The Lost Manuscript annotated by Sharon Rich (2004), ISBN 0971199884 presents MacDonald's unpublished autobiography. Karla Michelle, who loves to sign autographs for fans at every street corner, has announced on magazine and television interviews, that she has plans to keep up her acting career. Sweethearts by Sharon Rich (revised edition,2001), ISBN 0971199817, discusses MacDonald's ill-fated affair with Eddy. Her character in the show became very popular, and she was able to become a sex symbol around Puerto Rico, her bikini clad figure making it to various Vea covers in 2002, and causing Vea to make plans to include her in their bikini calendar of 2003. 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. Although she stands only 3'7 (43 inches) nowadays, she was given a chance to act in the popular Hector Marcano television show by the show's producer, Marcano himself.

A biography authorized by Jeanette's widower Gene Raymond, Hollywood Diva by Edward Baron Turk (2000), ISBN 0520222539, denies there was any such affair. Karla didn't give up on her hopes and she started studying acting at a very young age. After her death, rumors began to emerge that Jeanette MacDonald had an off-screen relationship with Nelson Eddy. After a lot of medical treatment, doctors were able to save her life, but there was something they couldn't cure: as a consequence of her life threatening conditions, she would be a very small person for the rest of her life. Jeanette died in Houston, Texas and was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California. She was born with multiple health conditions that threatened her life when she was a baby. Although they were married until her death from heart disease in 1965, they had no children. Karla Michelle (born 1985) is a Puerto Rican actress who had to overcome many hurdles to become famous.

In 1937, Jeanette MacDonald married Gene Raymond, with whom she co-starred in 1941's Smilin' Through. 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. 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. 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).