1937's "Maytime" is one of the best musical/dramas in the Jeanette MacDonald/Nelson Eddy collaboration. The plot line is relatively simple: Jeanette is an up-and-coming Parisian opera star who is originally from America. She agrees to marry her mentor and manager, played by John Barrymore, more out of respect for him than outright love. Love comes in the form of fellow-American Nelson Eddy. He's a talented singer in his own right, and the two meet by chance in a seedy café and strike up a friendship which soon turns to true romance. Alas, their affair is nipped in the bud due to Jeanette's prior commitment to Barrymore. Their marriage is a sour one, however, and when Jeanette and Johnny take a cruise to New York, she encounters Nelson once more. This time he's an opera star himself and the former lovers renew their previous spark during a rehearsal for a joint venture. Barrymore, watching from the wings, observes their interplay and is incensed. After confronting his wife about Mr. Eddy and learning the truth first-hand, he decides to kill the fellow. Poor Nelson ends up with a bullet through his heart and grieving Jeanette retires from the stage. Barrymore ends up on the gallows, but that scene is thankfully omitted. The story is told in flashback as Jeanette is now an old woman and closing in on her own death. While advising a young girl not to throw away her one chance on love, she relates her tragic life. The surprise ending of this film is one of the all-time greats and will bring tears to your eyes. It is so well-done and emotionally satisfying, that it makes up for anything else the film may lack.
Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald were two of the most talented and charismatic figures ever to grace the film and recording industry. Their vocal and acting performances in this movie are among the best ever filmed. As for their real life romance, MacDonald once said that she must have had "rocks in her head" for never marrying Eddy. Obviously, she meant it. "Maytime" is highly recommended and absolutely one-of-a-kind film making.
Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald were two of the most talented and charismatic figures ever to grace the film and recording industry. Their vocal and acting performances in this movie are among the best ever filmed. As for their real life romance, MacDonald once said that she must have had "rocks in her head" for never marrying Eddy. Obviously, she meant it. "Maytime" is highly recommended and absolutely one-of-a-kind film making.