Mac/Eddy Today - Book Compilations

Book Compilations

VOLUME 1: (Issues 1-5) covers the early years, their lives and careers pre-MGM; NAUGHTY MARIETTA (1935), the details behind the filming of their first film together; ROSE MARIE (1936); their engagement and break-up; Nelson’s 1936 concert tour, Jeanette in SAN FRANCISCO (1936), her “feud” with Clark Gable; the first Technicolor MAYTIME (1936) co-starring Frank Morgan and Paul Lukas.

VOLUME 2: (Issues 6-9) covers the second MAYTIME (1937) that we know today, co-starring John Barrymore; THE FIREFLY (Jeanette, Allan Jones, 1937), ROSALIE (Nelson, Eleanor Powell, 1937); Jeanette’s wedding and pictures of unsmiling Nelson at the ceremony; their first — and troubled — film together after her marriage, THE GIRL OF THE GOLDEN WEST (1938).

VOLUME 3: (Issues 10-13) covers SWEETHEARTS (1938); Jeanette’s pregnancy by Nelson, the miscarriage and her break-up with Nelson, resulting in his elopement with Ann Franklin. The truth about his marriage and Jeanette’s reaction; their 1939 films: LET FREEDOM RING (Nelson, Virginia Bruce); BROADWAY SERENADE (Jeanette, Lew Ayres); BALALAIKA (Nelson, Ilona Massey). Also, the fascinating Miliza Korjus interview and what she knew about the relationship.

VOLUME 4: (Issues 14-17) covers their first film after Nelson’s marriage, NEW MOON (1940). The original version was directed by Woody Van Dyke and co-starred Buster Keaton. Then Robert Z. Leonard took over as director, and the supporting cast and script were changed. Examples show the altered script and photos of several deleted scenes. Also, BITTERSWEET (1940), and why Noël Coward “disowned” the film; THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER (Nelson, Rise Stevens, 1941); SMILIN’ THROUGH (Jeanette, Gene Raymond, 1941).

VOLUME 5: (Issues 18-21) covers I MARRIED AN ANGEL (1942), including scenes that were cut from the final print, rare wardrobe test shots, the blow-up with Louis B. Mayer and the real reason the team left MGM. Also, a pictorial tribute to Woody Van Dyke, their director, friend and confidant who died in 1943 after directing Jeanette in CAIRO (1942). Nelson and Jeanette officiated at his funeral, and sang. It was the end of an era.

VOLUME 6: (Issues 22-25) covers PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (Nelson, Susanna Foster, Claude Rains, 1943); Jeanette joins Nelson at Universal for FOLLOW THE BOYS (1944) with hopes that they will do a film together at that studio; KNICKERBOCKER HOLIDAY (Nelson, Constance Dowling, Shelley Winters, 1944). Also, the two-part Susanna Foster and Frank Laric interviews; the war years and Jeanette’s opera career.

VOLUME 7: (Issues 26-29) covers NORTHWEST OUTPOST (Nelson, Ilona Massey, 1947); THREE DARING DAUGHTERS (Jeanette, Jose Iturbi, Jane Powell, 1948); THE SUN COMES UP (Jeanette, Lassie, 1948); Jeanette’s heart attack; Nelson on the Kraft Music Hall; their career slumps, thwarted joint film projects, and private and professional break-up in the late 1940s.

VOLUME 8: (Issues 30-33) The aftermath of the break-up and starting new careers in 1950. Also, I MARRIED AN ANGEL revisited; Nelson’s pre-film operatic career including reviews and interviews; SAN FRANCISCO and complete newspaper coverage of the 1984 battle to change that city’s official song; interviews with Betty Jaynes (SWEETHEARTS co-star) and Lawrence Tibbett, Jr., in which he confirms the Gene Raymond research findings, and discusses his dad’s and Nelson’s WWII spy work.

VOLUME 9: (Issues 34-37) covers the complete story behind MGM’s first Technicolor film, the “lost” MAYTIME, and why it was only 3/4 completed. Includes rare candids, scenes and wardrobe shots, with Nelson aging from a teen through old age; and most rare: the second act of “Tosca” with Jeanette as Tosca and Nelson as Scarpia. Also, the early ‘50s; their careers and personal crises; interview with Herbert Gahagan, set designer on THE GUARDSMAN (Jeanette, Gene Raymond, 1950); photo feature: LET’S GO NATIVE (Jeanette, Jack Oakie, Kay Francis, 1930); interview with Rise Stevens.

VOLUME 10: (Issues 38-41) covers the inside story behind the 1952 “This is Your Life;” Jeanette is a surprise guest and cries when Nelson comes onstage. The ‘50s, their personal/professional reunion; Nelson’s paintings; the television years; the death of Nelson’s mother, Isabel Eddy, including her hand-written will. Photo features: NAUGHTY MARIETTA revisited; Jeanette’s early films: THE LOTTERY BRIDE (1930); OH, FOR A MAN (R. Denny, Bela Lugosi, 1930), PARAMOUNT ON PARADE (1930), DON’T BET ON WOMEN (1930). Also, interview with opera great Rose Bampton about Nelson; Jeanette and Nelson’s spiritual beliefs including an article by Nelson; interview with famed New York psychic Phyllis Woodbury, who consulted with Jeanette shortly before her death and Jeanette confirmed her lifelong relationship with Nelson.

VOLUME 11: (Issues 42-45) covers the 1960s; ROSE MARIE revisited; celebrity interview with Miles Krueger and also protégé of Nelson’s; Jeanette/Nelson concert diaries; pictorial tributes: ANNABELLE’S AFFAIRS (Jeanette, 1931); Jeanette’s final days and death; reproductions and excerpts from her will; pictorial tribute, Nelson interview; Nelson’s final days and death, reproductions and excerpts from his will.

VOLUME 12: (Issues 46-49) covers the real MacDonald/Eddy feud and the crisis of 1945; book reviews, new photo features on NAUGHTY MARIETTA and ROSE MARIE, photo features: LOVE ME TONIGHT and ONE HOUR WITH YOU (Jeanette and Maurice Chevalier, both 1932); celebrity interview with Al Caiazza (the boy in PRIMA DONNA with Jeanette); why they never had children together; the story of Jon Eddy.