The Irving Stone letters are a revelation. Once and for all they disprove the fiction that Jeanette MacDonald was a prude. She frankly discusses topics like sex, industry gossip, her views on homosexuals, and marriage to someone she's not certain she loves. In 1927 she worries about pregnancy and setting up trysts behind her mother's back; the following year she carefully juggles simultaneous affairs with two men. She discusses various health problems including her earliest documented heart attack in 1929 at age 26.
These letters are transcribed uncensored in their entirety, with many of the originals reproduced. They give insight into the fiercely determined young singer who went on to become a 1930s Hollywood icon.
Sharon Rich has annotated the letters, adding rare photos, commentary and historical background.
Reviews:
"Loved it! A great collection of hand-written letters by MGM's musical songbird, before she was a star. Lively, entertaining, and she sure wasn't a boring prude like some others have made her out to be. Ms. Rich wisely keeps the annotations to a minimum, since Naughty Marietta tells it like it was in her own words. I particularly enjoyed MacDonald's Broadway and Hollywood gossip from the good old days! Lots of good dish."
