Sweethearts: The Timeless Love Affair - On-screen and Off - Between Jeanette MacDonald (Hardcover)

by Sharon Rich (Author), Jon Eddy (Introduction)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
In the 1930s and early 1940s, there was no singing duo more popular in the movies than Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. Conventional wisdom has always held that there was never anything between the two in real life. Jeanette, who earlier had starred in sophisticated comedies with Maurice Chevalier, enjoyed a long and happy marriage with actor Gene Raymond and exhibited an amused tolerance at best for the wooden Nelson. Rich, president of the largest of an amazing four MacDonald/Eddy fan clubs in America, tells a different story. According to her, the duo carried on an affair for decades. One wishes that some of the more sensational claims were better substantiated, but in the main, this book rings true. It is full of flowery language (from the principals' letters), illegitimate pregnancies, fainting spells, suicide attempts, mental breakdowns, and true romance. Fans will love it.
John Smothers, Monmouth Cty. Lib., Manalapan, N.J.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
At the height of their fame, MGM musical stars Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald spawned imitators at every Hollywood studio and became--as they remained--pop-cultural icons. The fact that they had a hush-hush, star-crossed romance going on at the time of their greatest visibility is perhaps one of Hollywood's least well-kept secrets. Rich examines that relationship and the intertwined personal and professional lives of the great screen duo exhaustively and, as she does, also brings to life an incredible supporting cast of stars, moguls, and flacks from Hollywood's golden years. Viewed from the vantage of 50-plus years, the Eddy-MacDonald movies may seem like quaint period pieces, but there is nothing quaint about the singer-actors' tangled lives and the behind-the-scenes scheming of Eddy's chief tormenter, the reptilian but always entertaining Louis B. Mayer. Rich affords a long, exciting, revealing look at two of the most important screen personalities of the 1930s. Vital reading to anyone interested in film history, Hollywood, or popular culture. Mike Tribby

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult; First American Edition edition (October 19, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556114079
• ISBN-13: 978-1556114076
• Product Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 20 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #399,382 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BRAVE, sad, EXHAUSTIVELY researched TRUE biography!, August 10, 1999

By A Customer

My mother knew Nelson Eddy as a friend back in the 1930s and '40s. It is absolutely true that Nelson wanted to marry Jeanette MacDonald; it was discussed at our dinner table after Nelson's visits. Although I was a teenager and not privy to all of it, I learned enough to know that even though they married other people, their marriages were not happy and they still loved each other. Why some people still deny it is beyond belief and does Jeanette and Nelson a great disservice. Bravo, Miss Rich, for having the courage to tell the whys and wherefores!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book I ever READ!, February 28, 1998

By A Customer

This is the best book that I have ever read on the couple, Jeanette Macdonald and Nelson Eddy. I am the biggest fan and have loved them since 1965, I couldn't believe it when I viewed the "This is your life" tv show. The way she looked at Nelson when he walked out of the curtain, it was so clear, you KNOW it was love! FINALLY a book came out revealing what WE ALL KNEW ALREADY! Thanks so much Sharon Rich! (And to those fans who are not liberated enough to believe Jeanette had loved Nelson, FACE IT and get on with your life! It's not hard to believe!)

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, the truth, May 1, 2000

By A Customer

I am elated to see the truth about Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald,in a book at last.My mother knew Nelson Eddy from the late 1920's, and all through his life. She had first hand knowledge of Nelson and Jeanette's love affair, which we used to discuss, after he visited. Why so many people cannot accept the reality of their relationship and continue to believe the fairy tale,that they want to believe, is beyond all reason. Bravo, for this book, which shows the actual human side of this heart rending love affair.