Hello! I wanted to share with you that the long-awaited new issue of the “Mac/Eddy Today” magazine has just been released! Journal #78 features an interview issue, with transcripts of the following: 1) an annotated, little-known 1959 interview with Jeanette MacDonald, in which she speaks candidly on some different topics than other interviews, discussing friendships ranging from Jean Harlow to…
Jeanette MacDonald and her older sister Blossom Rock both passed away on January 14, albeit thirteen years apart. Jeanette died in 1965 at age 61, Blossom in 1978 at age 82. Without Blossom’s friendship, we would not be here today. In the early 1970s when Hollywood secrets could still not be told, her viewpoint was: “My generation, we can’t talk…
I don’t much enjoy posting sad events here, but the second week of January is always a difficult one for Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy fans. Both Jeanette and her sister Blossom died on January 14, albeit thirteen years apart. Blossom’s passing in 1978 was fairly swift; she had a heart attack and died a short time later. With Jeanette,…
On the Facebook “Sweethearts” book page, I just posted a short article about possible reasons why Jeanette MacDonald never recorded an album of Christmas songs. It involved three Christmases in a row, 1945, ’46 and ’47, all that had some trauma attached to them for her and Nelson Eddy. While details of 1947 are discussed in the book, I thought…
Last night (Friday the 13th) I was a guest on Tommy Kovac’s horror film podcast “Splat From the Past”. We celebrated the 80th anniversary of the release of Nelson Eddy’s starrer “Phantom of the Opera” (1943) featuring Claude Rains as the Phantom. The gorgeous Technicolor film (nominated for two Oscars) had a rocky beginning, first envisioned as a comedy for…
“Naughty Marietta” screened today on TCM and tonight my book “Sweethearts” is #1 on this Amazon best seller list! Amazon has it on sale and with Prime free shipping. It’s wonderful that folks are watching their films and learning more about their lives.Very humbling and thank you for your support! The Amazon ordering link is here. Those of you living…
Dear old and new friends, June is birthday month for Jeanette and Nelson. After five long years, we’ll finally meet again in LA to celebrate! Join me on Sunday, June 25th at the famous Burbank Smoke House restaurant for an amazing luncheon and afternoon with new guest speakers. Since there’s many new fans who requested, as requested we’ll also be…
I’ve always particularly loved this diary entry written by Nelson Eddy’s mother dated “Xmas at Misty – 1945”. (Misty was the nickname for the old remodeled cowboy bunkhouse Nelson rented on the property high up in the LA hills at 1330 Angelo Drive.) “Upon arriving, Blossom (Jeanette’s sister) and I left the packages and took a long mountain ride, leaving…
Just returned from a short TV interview on “Talk of Alabama” morning show. Will post a link later when the network posts it! I’m in Birmingham for a book signing event today and a silent auction, raising money for a scholarship in the name of Jeanette’s friend Lily May Caldwell. Lily May was the entertainment editor for the “Birmingham News”,…
Hello! It’s certainly been a trying few years for all of us. Recently lost my wonderful husband of 35 years but am finally forging ahead with projects long-stalled due to the pandemic. Deep breath… and may the 4th be with us! With my 21-month old flag-waving granddaughter (a “Naughty Marietta” fan), wishing you a happy, safe and healthy holiday!