Cheap The Girl of the Golden West (Video) (Robert Z. Leonard) Price

Related Products

Customer Reviews of The Girl of the Golden West

Fans-only film
Walter Pidgeon in an unsympathetic role? Jeanette MacDonald as a cowgirl who just happens to sing Liebestraum in a trained soprano, for patrons of her saloon? I don't think so either. Perhaps with a more astute production these challenges could have been overcome, but this film is not about giving MacDonald/Eddy suitable material...who needed to, if material like this would make the same amount of money for the studio?
The long prologue is unnecessary and pointless, and when even a single duet would have been most welcome, but alas there are none. Let's See: they sing great seperately, but are one-of-a-kind special when together...let's not bother to expand on that talent???!!! And don't get me started on the embarrassing, inept makeup and atrocious wig on poor Mr. Eddy. There is something seriously wrong with making a movie performer look less attractive than in real life, unless such things are called for in a particular characterization. Some fans of the duo such as myself cannot bring themselves to enjoy this film. Go see Maytime or Naughty Marietta instead.

---

MACDONALD AND EDDY IN OLD MONTEREY.
This was the fifth time around for this story. Originally, it was a play by David Belasco in 1905; it was made as three silents as well as an opera. In this version, Eddy and MacDonald were at the height of their popularity: their finest effort - MAYTIME - was filmed the year prior. The screenplay isn't exactly superlative and the direction drags a bit, but fans of the great singing duo should still find themselves semi-enthralled. Jeanette owns a rough gambling saloon and Nelson is a Zorro-like character - but on the wrong side of the law. They fall in love, naturally. The best number in the film is the elaborate MARIACHI number. Buddy Ebsen, who plays Alabama, is in fine form and gives the movie some much-needed comedic moments. Monty Wooley can be seen briefly as the Governor. Melodies include Liszt's beautiful LIEBESTRAUM, THE WIND IN THE TREES, SUN-UP TO SUNDOWN & AVE MARIE....{What a deux mixture!!} Oddly enough, Ray Bolger was originally singing and dancing in this film, but his scenes were deleted. Why is this strange? We all know that Bolger went on into cinema immortality as the Scarecrow the next year in M-G-M's enduring classic WIZARD OF OZ. But many forget that Ebsen was the studio's first choice for the Tinman. Because he was highly allergic - he nearly died - to the aluminum dust mixed into paste for the Tinman's make-up, he was ultimately replaced with Jack Haley.

---

Golden Girl, a Golden Time
Two hours of this fast-moving 1938 saga of Old California West is a little long. Color would have helped black and white long shots... so often mottled like ink on a blotter; a forgiven price we sometimes have to pay for these wonderful old movie gems.

The story features Poker Saloon owner Mary (Jeanette MacDonald) who talks like a hillbilly, walks like a cow but sings like an angel. The irony is palpable with classics like "Liebestraum" (Is Love a Dream?) and "Ave Maria" (Gounod's).

Our swashbuckler leading man Ramerez (Nelson Eddy) leads a pack of South-of-the-Border desperados to steal gold from stagecoaches and have fun in the process. As a phony Mexican bandito, Ramerez follows the Robin Hood tradition of taking from the rich to give to the Monterey mission. His bold sombrero covers his golden hair (but not his golden heart) and his mask exposes only his dark eyes, vivid without the distraction of a lipsticked mouth; a method apparently acceptable to actors of the'30s. To this, throw in Leo Carrillo as Ramerez's jolly sidekick and the transformation is believable.

Mary quickly comes to love Ramerez, believing him to be the gentlemanly Lt. Johnson assigned her as festival escort. Mary's devoted pals in the Poker Saloon genuinely love and respect her. No other woman do we see there ever, suggesting that only two kinds of women frequent bars; those like Mary who own the place and bar maids who would cheapen it. No objection to this omission from the director, but what an opportunity missed in a movie of that time..

"Alabama" (Buddy Ebsen), who hides unspoken feelings, accepts that he is not in Mary's league but loves her anyway and expects nothing.

Sheriff Rance (Walter Pidgeon) on the other hand , expects everything. He knows Mary favors Ramerez/Lt. Johnson, but continues pursuit of her heart as he pursues Ramerez into the snowy Sierras where Mary has a log cabin. She has invited Ramerez/Lt.Johnson to "suppa" in her cabin in the sky, thus the deadly triangle of trouble is now in place. Lots of crises in this movie, & not the first time Jeanette's character has to be compromised for the one she really loves.

Much here to appreciate, the buoyant festival with Ramerez leading "Seniorita, Mariachi," (Dance with Me) and an especially beautiful Jeanette, a subtle projection of inner grace, like a woman in love. A genuine love story is never too good to be true.