Rose Marie (1936)

Nelson and Jeanette.  Sorry about the picture quality.

Nelson Eddy, Jeanette MacDonald, Jimmy Stewart.  Their second and probably best-known screen pairing.  Some of the filming is substandard (out-of-focus film shown behind character in studio) and, again, Nelson Eddy isn't on the screen often enough (and they still have him in too much makeup, particularly when he's singing).  However, I think Jeanette does a good job with her singing for the most part, particularly her rendition of the "Romeo et Juliet" aria.  Some of the scenery is delightful and I love most of the Nelson-Jeanette dialogue--again, for reasons similar to my liking Naughty Marietta.  Again Eddy plays a pushy, audacious flirt with more than his share of acumen.  They changed the plot from the original play for this movie (but reverted closer to the stage play in the Keel remake from 1953) and, having seen both versions, I like the non-play one better (this one).  David Niven and Jimmy Stewart both have small parts. ****     MUST SEE

Back to Films...