There were three movie versions of "Rose-Marie", a late twenties silent version with Joan Crawford, with, of course, just the story and a 1954 version which was the first musical in Cinemascope, but this is definitely the best and most famous version and Jeanette and Nelson's second film together. The music is just out of this world as is the singing again of this duo. Their famous duet "Indian Love Call" is actually sung four times during the course the film. People have often maligned their movies as corn, but as far as I'm concerned, bring it on. It's always been one of my favourite movies of theirs and is the first in a contemporary setting (although many insist that "Sweethearts" was).Jeanette's acting is perfect and, although Nelson may appear wooden, it's actually a good underplayed performance which was rare at the time and their comedy is very well done. The scene at the camp fire, for instance, gives them a chance at some great repartee. They just seem made for each other both musically and romantically. Interesting to note what a big star Jeanette was at the time at MGM as this movie and "San Francisco" accounted for half the box office profits for 1936, when MGM was releasing a movie every week, and that's really saying something.Next to Fred and Ginger, Jeanette and Nelson were definitely the best musical duo in the history of cinema. Someone said that Jeanette has a voice like an angel and I couldn't agree more and, along with Nelson's rich baritone voice, they just are just beyond belief when they sing. Great story line too for those not interested in the music. Allan Jones appears with Jeanette in the opera scenes at the beginning and end of the film (and in 1937 co-starred with her in "The Firefly"), James Stewart, in a very early role, plays the part of Jeanette's brother very well and even David Niven (billed as "Nivens"in the credits)appears as a playboy at the beginning of the movie in a brief walk-on, long before becoming a star. For all those, though, who love musicals of any kind, this is a must.
Review of Rose-Marie
