User Reviews

I won't repeat what some of the other reviews have said, other than to add my perspective. This was a marvelous film, made with great skill in every way, from screenplay to songs. It is also, along with "Waterloo Bridge" and "How Green Was My Valley" (see reviews), one of the saddest movies I have ever seen.

Of course it manipulates us into reaching for the hankies, but it does a good job at it. I consider myself a big cynical guy, but this movie! Man. I saw it many years ago, and to this day if someone mentions the word "sweetheart", I think of the song "Will You Remember?" and start getting teary-eyed!

Yes, I have it on video. I ALSO HAVE THE RADIO BROADCAST! In 1944, the Lux Radio Theater reprised the popular film in an hour long broadcast with the original stars. The adaptation was wonderfully done. The only change of note was Nelson Eddy sang the rousing French march, "Le Regiment du Sambre et Meuse" instead of Jeanette MacDonald. I downloaded this gem from the Bearshare peer to peer service. It is worth looking for and downloading.

Just don't anyone ever say "Sweethearts" to me - in any context at any time I think of "Maytime" and get sad. Of course some people love those types of films.

One memorable movie. But it made me so sad I almost wish I never saw it. Almost!

It's fascinating to read in all the well justified praise (and occasional cavil) lavished on the glorious hodge-podge that is MAYTIME, not one word of the great feature film debut at MGM which the film also represented.

Since MAYTIME - first filmed in 1923 in a version more faithful to the original but as a "silent" film, lacking ALL of the original music - was contractually obligated to ONLY credit music to the great Sigmund Romberg (whose original show it had been when it opened on Broadway on August 16, 1917, to play for a then astounding 492 performances with songs the studio did not want to use like "Jump, Jim Crow"), the studio called in their youngest contracted composer/lyricists (then only 21 and earning a mere - but lordly during the Depression - $200 a week), Bob Wright and George (Chet) Forrest, who would be willing to do virtually the entire score (not allowed to actually compose, but adapting public domain material under chief studio composer - and early Oscar Hammerstein collaborator - Herbert Stothart's supervision). Wright and Forrest were relegated to billing only for "Special Lyrics by..." (and not even acknowledged for THAT by the IMDb, although the credits are there on the screen!). The film's "Best Score" Oscar nomination didn't even go to Romberg or supervising composer Stothart, but to Nat W. Finston, the head of the studio's Music Division!

It was years before "The Boys" would break into the public consciousness with stage adaptations of their own like SONG OF NORWAY and KISMET, and their own (always their first choice) original music for shows like KEAN and GRAND HOTEL, but the result on MAYTIME (including their faux Russian opera for the film, drawn from Tschaikowsky's 5th Symphony, translated from their original English into French by another poet not credited by IBDB - in a talk at the New York Sheet Music Society in 1989, Bob Wright said it was U.S. Sigey, but the screen credits say Gilles Guilbert) was a triumph of craft and carefully catering to the strengths of the stars who they were writing for. Witness in particular a couple numbers ("Song of The Carriage" and a number where Eddy proposes to prepare a ham and egg breakfast for MacDonald) crafted for the limited acting range of Nelson Eddy, giving him something to DO while he sang!

LOTS of great Broadway names worked under almost forgotten under-billed capacities (Larry Hart of Rodgers & Hart fame did lyrics for the Maurice Chevalier MERRY WIDOW!), but Wright & Forrest were among the most prolific and best, and MAYTIME was their first major film "credit." It's only a pity (given the high quality of their few surviving original scores) that in the ways of Hollywood, MAYTIME also "typecast" them into adapting other composers' works for the bulk of their careers.

MGM's adaptation of Rita Johnson Young's romantic operetta is given the "royal treatment" in Robert Z. Leonard's lengthy production of 132 minutes.

Cast in the lead roles are non other than Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald, that "magical pair" of singing actors who perfectly compliment each other in both drama and song.

In a casting coup, John Barrymore plays the pivotal role of jealous suitor/husband Nicolai. Barrymore really gets into the skin of his character and offers a penetrating, indelible performance.

Adrian's costumes and Cedric Gibbons' art direction add rich luster to a production which had Irving Thalberg's personal executive producer backing.

Operatic excerpts of Delibes, Donizetti, Gounod, Meyerbeer and others are well sung. Yet it was Music Director Herbert Stothart's decision to adapt themes from Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony as a basis for the climatic opera scene that was problematic. Couldn't he find any excerpt from a genuine opera without concocting "faux material" from an original orchestral score? (While it works dramatically, how much more effective might it have been using bona fide source material.)

A bonus is the employment of the Don Cossack Chorus (a popular ensemble from the 30s and 40s) in opera sequences. Eddy and MacDonald are in fine voice and they warble everything from Sigmund Romberg to Stephen Foster.

What do rock-generation viewers think of this today? It'd be interesting to get their reaction, so strikingly different does this music seem from the current mode.

As for seniors, well, there's little doubt they'll be in heaven with "Maytime" -- and might even use up some tissue during it's tearful finale.

I remember as a young teenager, I had never heard of Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy.....then one late night, Maytime was being aired on television, I watched it and after that I would never forget who Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy were! I cried my eyes out and still do every time I see this glorious film. Everything about this movie is wonderful.....costumes, supporting cast, even the story line which is usually not too strong in McDonald/Eddy films. But, oh it's the music and those voices that will enchant you. This along with "Naughty Marietta" is my favorite of the McDonald/Eddy films. It was another time and another world when this type of film was popular but even so, Maytime will continue to enthrall you, touch you and make you weep copious amounts of tears. Especially when you hear..."Sweetheart, sweetheart, sweetheart. Though our paths may sever. Through life's last faint embers, will you remember, springtime, lovetime, May". Glorious!!

Springtime in Paris. A beautiful young opera singer, trained under the jealous eye of a maestro much older than she, meets a handsome, lively voice student. Their spontaneous romance, sweetly brief & ultimately tragic, will be remembered with much tenderness every MAYTIME.

This was Jeanette Mac Donald & Nelson Eddy's third film together and it is one of the most beautifully sentimental movies of the 1930's. Enormous care was taken by MGM, right from the opening titles, to make this film special. The sets & costumes are splendid - notice the detail lavished on the two May Day scenes. The music, which carries the passions of the plot along, is never boring.

MacDonald & Eddy once again make an exciting couple and they are in very fine voice, indeed. John Barrymore effectively underplays his role, adding quiet despair to the maestro's descent into madness. Rafaela Ottiano, as Jeanette's maid, & Herman Bing, as Nelson's tutor, lend good support. Look for Billy Gilbert & Harry Davenport in small uncredited roles.

The final opera sequence is based on themes from Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony and was written especially for this film.

This is a movie you'll remember every Springtime...Love Time...May.

This was the third movie done by the "Singing Sweethearts," and it is often considered to be their best. Jeannette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy are in their element in this movie as two "star-cross'd lovers"; her as a poor rich girl, and him as a struggling artist. Together they face obligation, yearning, and revenge, all personified by a wonderful John Barrymore.

The music to this movie is excellent...ranging from a playful "Santa Lucia," to the climactic opera set to Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony. The achingly bittersweet lover's waltz "Will You Remember" and its reprise at the finale is a memorable tune that will have most music lovers humming it for weeks.

A wonderful love story for all time...the finale will leave many in tears. In fact, the finale to this movie is so poignant that many filmmakers still copy the same structure today.

Another pairing of operatic singers macdonald and eddy. It's long, but it's good. It opens with the maypole dance, which i also had to do as a student in grade school. Marcia (macdonald) and nicolai (j. Barrymore) have both followed their dreams and worked hard to make something great of themselves. While dating paul (eddy), marcia and nicolai meet again, many years later, and play the roles they must play. Some fun co-stars... sig ruman (marx brothers..) and rafaela ottiano (grand hotel). When marcia's touring schedule introduces her to other worldly men, the apple cart is over-turned. Can things be worked out ? It's pretty good, but the story really didn't need to be so long. Lots of singing about ham and eggs. Directed by robert leonard, who made six films with the pair of macdonald and eddy. HUGE list of uncredited and deleted scenes. Story based on the play by rida young. The trivia section describes the changes made in production, due to thalberg's death. Reading that will help one understand the whole story of the production. It just goes on soooo long...kind of like this review! Fans of opera and long movies will love it.

I usually have great control over my emotions, but was not able to control them in this movie. I had seen some of the lighter Eddy/McDonald films (Rose-Marie, Naughty Marietta), so was not prepared for the emotional depth of this film. Just when you think it is over, it sneaks up on you and all control is gone! I grew up in a family that has loved these films for two generations, but must admit I was not wholeheartedly a part of that tradition. After watching MAYTIME over Christmas, however, I am a convert. The joy of this movie, despite the sadness, is enduring. The ending is a complete surprise, and is what brought tough old me to tears. My sister and mother didn't spoil the ending for me and my partner, and I won't spoil it for you. BUT, be prepared for an ending as good as any you see in this day and age.

My Mom and Sister say they have watched this movie over 100 times. And that they still cry when they watch it. I hope you enjoy it as much as me and my partner did.

Maytime (1937) : Brief Review -

Jeanette MacDonald is sensational in the soapy story of Prima Donna's tragedy. Maytime is not an unknown story. You might have seen the same story in hundreds of love stories till date. Maytime is a love triangle with typical conflicts and a predictable climax, yet it absorbs you with its cliched emotional appeal. Nicolai takes nobody-knows-girl Marcia Mornay and makes a successful prima donna out of her. To repay his debts, he asks her to marry him, and Marcia too has no objection. The same night, she meets an emerging singer, Paul Allison, who entertains her and takes her out of her boring life of opera. Now this part is too corny, as Paul keeps insisting on seeing her more while Marcia keeps her marriage a secret. She could have simply told him about Nicolai, and things would have ended long ago. "I shouldn't have let this happen," she says later, but it's too late. Paul and Marcia fall in love but have to part ways so that Marcia can fulfil her promise to Nicolai. After 7 years of a successful singing career and an unhappy marriage life, Marcia and Paul are reunited again. Will Nicolai let her go? Maytime has stereotyped characters, and that was needed since the film was never intended to be smart. It was all about being a simple Romantic musical drama with some real opera numbers. Opera lovers would enjoy them, but others wouldn't. Jeanette MacDonald is sensational as the Prima Donna. She looks breathtaking. John Barrymore is no evil; he is just too disciplined, and I loved his performance more than Nelson Eddy's. Many of Robert Z. Leonard's musicals from the 30s have been popular, and some have repeat value. Maytime may lack that repeat value due to its run-of-the-mill storyline and long runtime, but it certainly entertains on the first watch. It's just that we have had many similar stories, so we may not remember anything from here except a few numbers.

RATING - 6/10*

By - #samthebestest.

This has to be the biggest heap of excitingly melodramatic froth ever to be whipped up in black-and-white. It has everything -- flashbacks, unrequited love, grand opera, bittersweet moments, high comedy, dramatic tragedy, foolish young people learning from their elders' hard-earned wisdom, and a title sequence spelled out in flower petals on a moving stream. It's a great watch, even if you normally stay as far from movie musicals as you can get. A sentimental friend of mine once said, blowing her nose, "I thought that if I saw this over and over I'd get used to it and be able to handle it better, but now I just start crying as soon as I see the tree in the opening credits." Pass the hankies. And the popcorn.

The first time I ever heard the name Nelson Eddy was in a Michael Crawford In Concert CD. Since then I have seen "The Phantom of the Opera" in which his starred... but I didn't recognize him as a performer in the least... not until I saw this movie. "Maytime" is my all time favorite movie with Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy. It's closely followed by "New Moon", and I have seen a couple others. Yet "Maytime" has more going for it than just the heart throb known as Nelson Eddy!

The plot is simple. Girl has fiance. Girl meets new guy. Girl falls in love but marries first guy. Years pass. Girl and guy meet again ... and the rest will be history to only those whom have seen it! I could never give away the ending. All I can say is that the music in this movie is absolutely amazing, and I always come so terribly close to crying. I'm not a cryer, so to say I get CLOSE is a good sign. I have bawled to it before!

John Barrymore, Drew's grandfather <?> is a wonderful anti-villain. He's a good guy who just happens to be a terrible protagonist, and he does something so horrible that you hope his Niccolai Nazaroth burns in hellfire for eternity. Yet he's such a terrific 'villain'. The one and only thing I have against this film is that it's in b&w. I wish beyond all wishing that it were in color, so I could see his gorgeous eyes and blonde hair!

Believe me, this is a good movie.

For their third screen teaming MGM gave Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy the old Sigmund Romberg-Rida Johnson Young operetta Maytime which was originally on Broadway in 1919. They kept the libretto, but scrapped the entire score except for the famous Will You Remember duet which became one of Jeanette and Nelson's most beloved songs. In its place were some operatic arias and some public domain standards like Carry Me Back to Old Virginia and La Marsellaise. This served to make the musical part of the film tilted far more to Jeanette than Nelson.

But the plot is one of the most romantic. The film opens with a heavily made up Jeanette living as an old maid in some small town. Both the neighbor's daughter and her sweetheart confide in her. The daughter has been given a chance to study music, but that would mean uprooting herself and going abroad. The boyfriend is in love and wants to marry her.

Jeanette sighs and tells the daughter about her life that at one time she was a famous opera singer who's been living in obscurity by choice because she chose a career over true love. Of course we all know who her true love is. But she marries her manager John Barrymore and in the end Jeanette has cause to regret.

The movie's message about marrying for love is an odd one indeed to come out of Hollywood. That's one place where a whole lot of people including the two stars of this film sacrificed a lot of personal happiness for careers.

Actually in another film a year later, Jeanette and Nelson were a happily married singing team in Sweethearts. I guess the idea is you should marry for love, but if you're a singer hope your spouse can carry a tune.

Will You Remember got a second go around in the Sigmund Romberg biographical film Deep In My Heart with Vic Damone and Jane Powell doing the honors. But it's not half as good as when Nelson and Jeanette sing it.

John Barrymore turns in a fine performance as the rather tightly wrapped manager of MacDonald. For a man who was brought up in the bravura tradition of Victorian stage acting, Barrymore was capable of great subtlety in his screen roles. Watch his facial expressions, they tell you far more than any dialog will. Of course he out acts the two leads.

The other supporting performance of note is Herman Bing as Nelson Eddy's sidekick/music teacher. Maybe if Jeanette had studied with him things would have turned out better.

When the flashback sequence opens Jeanette and Barrymore are going to a palace ball where she sings for Emperor Louis Napoleon, Les Filles Des Cadiz. That sequence was later seen in Jeanette's later starring film Cairo where she plays a movie star stranded in Cairo. It was a most requested item in later concert performances.

For romantics at heart and of all ages Maytime is a must see film for you.

"Maytime," starring Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy, is perhaps the most beautiful operetta ever made. Featuring very strong performances by all of the cast, including John Barrymore in one of his last good roles, this movie's appeal is vast.

Jeanette plays an elderly woman, who was once the most famous opera singer in the world, but now lives in lonely seclusion. She tells her story to a younger woman in the hopes that is will help her decide between a career and love. I am loathe to reveal any more of the plot than that. I can only say that it is touching indeed.

This film also includes many wonderful songs, including the immortal "Sweetheart." Lavishly costumed and photographed, this film is a treat for the eyes, the ears and the heart.

At a "May Day" celebration, elderly Jeanette MacDonald (as "Miss Morrison") relates to troubled young lovers Tom Brown (as Kip Stuart) and Lynne Carver (as Barbara Roberts). Then, we flashback to the story of Ms. MacDonald (as Marcia Mornay), beginning in the Paris court of Napoleon Bonaparte… The successful young soprano falls in love with poor baritone Nelson Eddy (as Paul Allison). They turn out to be a match made in heaven. However, MacDonald has just agreed to marry older mentor John Barrymore (as Nicolai Nazaroff). At first glance, the dissipating Barrymore seems out of place in a MacDonald/Eddy opera, but he is a highlight. Another is the art direction of MGM's marvelous Cedric Gibbons. However, the high notes herein can make your ears bleed.

***** Maytime (3/26/37) Robert Z. Leonard ~ Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, John Barrymore, Herman Bing

Leave it to the greatest movie studio of them all, MGM, to deliver to the world in l937 this unsurpassed musical joy. While all the other movies were celebrating swing and tap dance and the Big Band sound, "Maytime" comes along and when it was released, it took the world by storm. Why? Because it shows how a powerful studio massed together all of its brilliant talent onto this film. Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy would never surpass their performances here. Adrian's incredible costumes for McDonald are stunning. The lush photography, set designs and decor of late l9th century Paris are mind-boggling. And of course, the unforgettable music. You listen again and again to the magnfiicent scoring and vocal arrangements and never forget them. The ultimate sequence is the fabulous "Czaritza" that comes towards the end. McDonald and Eddy are backed up by a fantastic Russian choir. The pre-production on this one movie is amazing. Years in the planning, it was originally begun in l936 as a Technicolor spectacular. But after Irving Thalberg died, Louis B. Mayer chopped the budget in half and demanded "Maytime" be shot in black and white. Whatever the outcome, this movie can enchant even anti-music lovers. Now, let's hope it appears on DVD real soon.

If you like old time pictures that portray simple down to earth innocent love and beautiful voices, this is the picture for you. Jeanette MacDonald,(Marcia Mornay),"The Sun Comes Up",'49, always wanted to sing professionally and was tutored by John Barrymore,(Nicolai), "Playmates",'41 who was very much older than Marcia and helped her achieve great importance in the world of Opera. Nelson Eddy,(Paul Allison),"Northwest Outpost",'47, was a young singer and was lazy about becoming a great singer and often frequented local bars and sang and drank with all his friends. The close ups of Jeanette MacDonald reveal her great beauty and wonderful acting skills besides a great talent for singing. This is a sweet and very sour picture about two people who fall deeply in love which enchanted all the audiences of 1937 and will continue for many generations to come.

Of all of Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Macdonald's movies, this one stands out as having such a variety of beautiful music. There are opera songs taken from many operas as well as "ordinary" songs. You may not remember any of the opera songs but the title song, "Maytime," will never leave your musical memory once you hear it.

Sometimes it's hard to "suspend disbelief" and not look at "actors" and "technique," but it's easy with this one. Nelson is very believable as the rollicking American with the gorgeous baritone voice and of course, Jeannette MacDonald in the role of a famous opera singer is totally on target.

You keep rooting for them to get together and honestly, you won't know until the very end! Sentimentalists--watch this wonderful movie.

This was by far Jeanette MacDonald's best film when teamed up with Nelson Eddy.

An elderly woman, counseling young lovers, thinks back to her tragic love affair during the Napoleonic era. Both Nelson and Eddy are at their usual singing best and for a change, Eddy acts the part. He has often been criticized for poor acting in his other films with the wonderful MacDonald.

John Barrymore was literally robbed of a best supporting Oscar nomination for his tyrannical role of a lover and husband of MacDonald. It was his inability to accept that MacDonald had found true love with Eddy that leads to tragedy.

Too bad that this wonderful film wasn't in color since the set scenes of the Napoleonic era are beautifully realized.