Product Details

• Actors: Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Walter Pidgeon, Leo Carrillo, Buddy Ebsen
• Directors: Robert Z. Leonard
• Writers: Boyce DeGaw, David Belasco, Isabel Dawn
• Producers: Robert Z. Leonard, William Anthony McGuire
• Format: Black & White, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Warner)
• VHS Release Date: December 11, 1992
• Run Time: 121 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301969243
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,627 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nelson Eddy's lush baritone as delightful as ever!, December 7, 2000

By 

"phoenixe36" (Utah USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Girl of the Golden West [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I was pleasantly surprised when I first saw this movie- somewhere I'd gotten the impression that it wasn't going to be as enjoyable as other MacEddy movies, which just wasn't so. Nelson's voice is as luscious as ever and he is just as debonair and romantic in his portrayal of the swashbuckling Ramerez. Jeanette's character is less coquettish and more open and trusting than her usual which was a nice change. Ramerez, stolen from his own family as a baby, becomes the infamous leader of a group of mexican bandits (his own more trusting instincts becoming stifled when his adoptive father is shot while offering help to white settlers.) The plot develops delightedly as Ramerez falls for Mary, who owns the local saloon and is being courted by the town's sheriff, who in turn is trying to track down Ramerez (echoes of Rose Marie but with a twist.) Girl of the Golden West may not have produced any musical hits but Jeanette and Nelson's numbers are still entrancing, especially Jeanette's version of Liebestraum. (And who can resist the grand dance production, Mariachi, along with Nelson's song Dance With Me and spectacular exit from that scene.) Truly as delightful as any Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald movie!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Golden Girl, a Golden Time, February 9, 2002

By 

"maryn2" (Hampton, NH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Girl of the Golden West [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Two hours of this fast-moving 1938 saga of Old California West is a little long. Color would have helped black and white long shots... so often mottled like ink on a blotter; a forgiven price we sometimes have to pay for these wonderful old movie gems.

The story features Poker Saloon owner Mary (Jeanette MacDonald) who talks like a hillbilly, walks like a cow but sings like an angel. The irony is palpable with classics like "Liebestraum" (Is Love a Dream?) and "Ave Maria" (Gounod's).

Our swashbuckler leading man Ramerez (Nelson Eddy) leads a pack of South-of-the-Border desperados to steal gold from stagecoaches and have fun in the process. As a phony Mexican bandito, Ramerez follows the Robin Hood tradition of taking from the rich to give to the Monterey mission. His bold sombrero covers his golden hair (but not his golden heart) and his mask exposes only his dark eyes, vivid without the distraction of a lipsticked mouth; a method apparently acceptable to actors of the`30s. To this, throw in Leo Carrillo as Ramerez's jolly sidekick and the transformation is believable.

Mary quickly comes to love Ramerez, believing him to be the gentlemanly Lt. Johnson assigned her as festival escort. Mary's devoted pals in the Poker Saloon genuinely love and respect her. No other woman do we see there ever, suggesting that only two kinds of women frequent bars; those like Mary who own the place and bar maids who would cheapen it. No objection to this omission from the director, but what an opportunity missed in a movie of that time..

"Alabama" (Buddy Ebsen), who hides unspoken feelings, accepts that he is not in Mary's league but loves her anyway and expects nothing.

Sheriff Rance (Walter Pidgeon) on the other hand , expects everything. He knows Mary favors Ramerez/Lt. Johnson, but continues pursuit of her heart as he pursues Ramerez into the snowy Sierras where Mary has a log cabin. She has invited Ramerez/Lt.Johnson to "suppa" in her cabin in the sky, thus the deadly triangle of trouble is now in place. Lots of crises in this movie, & not the first time Jeanette's character has to be compromised for the one she really loves.

Much here to appreciate, the buoyant festival with Ramerez leading "Seniorita, Mariachi," (Dance with Me) and an especially beautiful Jeanette, a subtle projection of inner grace, like a woman in love. A genuine love story is never too good to be true.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars MACDONALD AND EDDY IN OLD MONTEREY., January 28, 2003

By 

"scotsladdie" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Girl of the Golden West [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This was the fifth time around for this story. Originally, it was a play by David Belasco in 1905; it was made as three silents as well as an opera. In this version, Eddy and MacDonald were at the height of their popularity: their finest effort - MAYTIME - was filmed the year prior. The screenplay isn't exactly superlative and the direction drags a bit, but fans of the great singing duo should still find themselves semi-enthralled. Jeanette owns a rough gambling saloon and Nelson is a Zorro-like character - but on the wrong side of the law. They fall in love, naturally. The best number in the film is the elaborate MARIACHI number. Buddy Ebsen, who plays Alabama, is in fine form and gives the movie some much-needed comedic moments. Monty Wooley can be seen briefly as the Governor. Melodies include Liszt's beautiful LIEBESTRAUM, THE WIND IN THE TREES, SUN-UP TO SUNDOWN & AVE MARIE....{What a deux mixture!!} Oddly enough, Ray Bolger was originally singing and dancing in this film, but his scenes were deleted. Why is this strange? We all know that Bolger went on into cinema immortality as the Scarecrow the next year in M-G-M's enduring classic WIZARD OF OZ. But many forget that Ebsen was the studio's first choice for the Tinman. Because he was highly allergic - he nearly died - to the aluminum dust mixed into paste for the Tinman's make-up, he was ultimately replaced with Jack Haley.