Reviews - Christine
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Reviews of Nelson |
Naughty Marietta Date: 15 October 2001 This is the first film that paired Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald. It is probably the best and favorite of most fans. The stars look divine, the music is beautiful, and surprisingly, there is a lot humor, and witty playfulness. The chemistry between the two is awesome and quite obvious. The duet of Sweet Mystery of Life was the first of their many successes, and Nelson's solo of Neath The Southern Moon is quite sexy for 1935 films. A rare gem Desert Storm Date: 3 August 2003 Nelson Eddy is back on screen, starring in a 1955 TV version of Romberg's Desert Song. Nelson, best known for a popular series of operettas with Jeanette MacDonald, has matured into a ruggedly, handsome man, still blessed with the gorgeous baritone voice that thrilled millions. His costar, and longtime singing partner, is the talented, statuesque beauty. Gale Sherwood, whose lilting soprano voice blends perfectly with his. Together, they face the hazards of live TV, and escape unscathed, without missing a beat. The production, wisely relies on the music to tell the story, and along with love scenes, culminating in kisses that are unabashedly intimate, appears far more adult than previous film versions. Unfortunately, reflecting the shortsightedness of early TV,the color version no longer exists. Only a black and white copy has survived, leaving us to only imagine the beauty of the original showing. That aside, the sheer pleasure of seeing Nelson Eddy and his lovely partner is a rare treat to be treasured. Balalaika Date: 17 June 2003 Nelson Eddy and Ilona Massey Make a handsome couple in a gorgeous setting. Ilona portrays an anarchist in pre WW1 Russia who falls in love with a Russian prince, played with strength and humor by Nelson Eddy. Their duets are pleasing, and Nelson sings magnificently in Russian, German, French and English. The black and white photography captures the period and costumes well, and the two stars are so strikingly similar in looks, they could easily be siblings. Nelson demonstrates once again, what a loss he was to opera, but how fortunate to have him on film and hear that magnificent baritone Sweethearts Date: 13 October 2001 Sweethearts was the first color film for Nelson & Jeanette, and they, and the film are quite beautiful.They portray a married couple, appearing in musical comedy. This shows Nelson at his most playful--the "Pretty as A Picture" duet was so personal, I thought I was privy to a private moment between them. Too bad, MGM never took advantage of Nelson's self depreciating talent, but this film is most interesting, because it gives us a fascinating glimpse of what might have been. Chocolate Soldier Date: 23 June 2003 Nelson Eddy and Rise Stevens star in an amusing film about a jealous husband, and his suspicions of his wife's infidelity. Nelson plays a dual role as the insecure husband and the Russian singer he impersonates to test his wife's loyalty. Rise is delicious as the teasing wife who exploits his doubts unmercifully. Nelson plays the Russian in a broad and sardonic manner which seems to prove again that he is more at ease and sure of himself in films without his usual costar and RL love interest. Nelson and Rise are in excellent voice. A couple of dances without the two leads could easily be cut. Neither approaches the humor of Nelson, nervously biting his nails, as he contemplates his insecurities. |
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