| With their splendid voices, matinee-idol looks, vivacity (she) and stoutheartedness (he), Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy were America's Singing Sweethearts, a true team, mixing the chemistry that permits one to accept disguised princesses, dream melodies and beautiful doom (Ethan Mordden, The Hollywood Musical). Naughty Marietta is their first film together, a blithe tale of a French princess who arrives incognito in colonial New Orleans and falls into the manly arms of a captain with one terrific baritone. The soaring Victor Herbert melodies - including Ah Sweet Mystery of Life and Tramp, Tramp, Tramp - became forever identified with the stars. This 1935 Best Picture Academy Award nominee and Oscar winner for Best Sound Recording remains a Hollywood milestone.and a total delight. |
