Sweethearts (1938)

Pretty Good

Fantastic!

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

This one is notable for being MGM's first Technicolor movie. "Sweethearts" won cinematographers Oliver Marsh and Allan Davey special Oscars for their work with color film. MacDonald looks gorgeous--black and white didn't do her justice.The music is pleasant enough, but not memorable. The couple is nauseatingly in love through the first hour, starring in a long running Broadway production - "Sweethearts". Unable to find rest during their six year production, the two are enticed to go to Hollywood instead, being promised lots of breaks between films. The normally feuding creative forces/producers of "Sweethearts" realize that this is the end of the gravy train, so they hatch a plan to keep the two from leaving. Complications ensue.When MacDonald and Eddy aren't singing, the film seems endless. Not even the scenes with animals make this amusing. Eddy is the one who brings off some sight gags--three of them to be exact. Frank Morgan and the rest of the cast are stranded without any funny lines. They just made me groan--and I'm an easy laugher. It's hard to make Frank Morgan unfunny.Trivia I noticed--the opening operetta is on the same set that "The Great Ziegfeld" (1936) used for the "A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody" number. There is a lengthy end credit explaining that the actors on the screen didn't write the 1913 operetta "Sweethearts". MacDonald has a five minute fashion show and proves she looks good in any outfit, no matter how misguided.If you see this, watch the first thirty minutes and the fashion show for the cinematographers playing with colors, then fast forward between songs.

"Sweethearts" has so much going for it that it's painful to admit to some lesser Victor Herbert songs as main features. Eddy and MacDonald are fine, the Technicolor is lovely, and the cast is top notch. Unfortunately, there are only about two songs that are worthy of the great Herbert.Well, every composer can't turn out all hits; it's just unfortunate that the lesser songs are given such up front treatment. As much as the stars pour their all into these songs, they fall rather flat and unmemorable.The production numbers are spectacular, the production design lovely, and the costumes eye-popping. Too bad this one didn't rise to the level of the duo's other film entries. Still, kudos to the quality of both the singing and acting of Eddy-MacDonald.

It was a surprise that "Sweethearts" was MGM's first full-length movie in color and also that Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy were selected for this venture. Since it is based in modern times, 1938, it is much more believable and enjoyable in color. I just watched this film on Turner Classic Movies and enjoyed the story and each scene as it unfolded. She could have been a classic opera diva with her talent and good stage presence but instead she chose to make films that are recorded for us and posterity to enjoy! "Sweethearts" is a fun film to watch with music from a bygone era that will not be duplicated in this present age of reality, action films.

Jeanette McDonald was made for Technicolor. She was one of the most gorgeous stars of the 30's, with her beautiful complection and red hair. I think that she has always been underrated as a comedienne and this film really shows off her comedic skills. If only she had a less wooden co-star than Nelson Eddy. The color is superb, and so are the gowns she wears. The dialog's is witty, and part of the reason has to be that Dorothy Parker contributed to the script. Oddly enough, every time I watch this it reminds of another movie from around the same time. I finally figured out what it was. It's Joy Of Living, with Irene Dunneand Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. which also features a Broadway star who is supporting her family of has-beens and never-was. And they came out in the same year.