Girl of the Golden West VHS

In spite of the movie's slow beginning and Nelson Eddy's terrible makeup, the story makes for enjoyable entertainment. Individually Jeanette MacDonald (Mary "Girl" Robbins) and Eddy (Ramirez) are very good in their roles, but the usual on-screen chemistry between them is strained due to circumstances in their personal lives which affected their interaction. The movie's major weaknesses revolve around that strained relationship and are compounded by the fact that in relation to their other movies they have very little screen time together.To understand the weaknesses in the movie it helps to know that screen sweethearts Eddy & MacDonald were also in love in real life, but studio boss L.B. Mayer was determined to keep them apart and succeeded in coercing Jeanette into a marriage with actor Gene Raymond. The Girl of the Golden West was the first movie made by the MacDonald & Eddy team after Jeanette's marriage. Nelson was having trouble dealing with her marriage and was drinking heavily to drown his sorrows (thus the need for the overdone makeup). Jeanette, who dicovered on her honeymoon that her groom was not the man she thought him to be, was trying hard to keep up appearances as a "happy" newlywed, when she was in fact miserable.The situation on the set of GGW was an emotional rollercoaster for both stars and the strain came to a head during the filming of the "Obey Your Heart" number. Intended as a duet, the song was ultimately sung as a solo by Nelson because Jeanette kept breaking down in tears. After repeated takes, she was able to sit numbly while Nelson sang alone but the viewer can clearly see her expression is at odds with a woman having a love song sung to her. She looks numb and drained and ready to burst into tears again when Eddy takes her hands in his. Of their 8 movies together, this is the only one without a love duet.The tension between the two stars lasted until well into the filming when Eddy learned the truth about Jeanette's marriage and the two stars renewed their off-screen relationship. While nothing ever completely diminishes their chemistry together, the positive change in their demeanor toward each other is clearly evident in the closing shot of the movie, which was filmed after their reconciliation.Among the supporting characters, Buddy Ebsen (Alabama) and Leo Carrillo (Mosquito) stand out, with Walter Pigeon as debonair as ever as Jack Rance, the man who loves the "Girl" and the sheriff determined to get Ramirez.All in all, the movie is fun entertainment and as always, Jeanette and Nelson are in fine voice and worth watching any time they appear together.

I love Jeanette Mcdonald and Nelson Eddy. Have seen all their movies.

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.

Purchased this movie along with the other 7 movies this epic duo starred in together as a Christmas gift for my wife.Disc after disc were defective and not able to be played. All told, a full 5 out of the 8 DVD's were completely defective. Needless to say this put a damper on the mistletoe. Beyond disappointed. Submitted for a replacement.ORDER UPDATE: THANK YOU AMAZON FOR MAKING SURE I GOT SUITABLE REPLACEMENTS THAT PLAYED JUST FINE! ALL THE EXTRA EFFORT AND PATIENCE WITH MY FRUSTRATION IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!

I had not seen this movie before and after watching the DVD didn't think I liked it that much. However, after watching it again and listening to the two most significant songs (Senorita and Who are we to say) I just fell in love with the movie. Every cast member was great. Jeanette and Nelson didn't seem to be at their most romantic acting selves and I missed their singing duets in the movie.

It was suppose to be in color, but with ongoing problems ...like always..MGM shot it in black and white. Im so used to see Nelson and Jeanette inblack in white that i does not bother me anymore... The Love stories arealways a pleasure to watch and the signing usually melts me down. There was some ongoing friction between the two stars when the movie wasfilmed but it does'nt show. Lots of people can sing, but none can beatthe duo of Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Macdonald.....Music Gold.

When I was in my early teens my mum took me to see these two stars and for me no-one could ever replace Nelson Eddy as my heartthrob for life. His voice is wonderful and I have all the films these two stars made together and almost all the ones they did with other actors. As I have said they are irreplaceable as they were magic together and pretty good apart as well. Well worth every penny and Girl is one of my favourites with Maytime second but unfortunately I cried my heart out when I first saw it and each time I heard the song Sweethearts through all these years, I still get choked up. Wonderful!

Very enjoyable I love these old musicals they should show them on the tv more often especially in care homes thank you

Very good film, I now only need two more for my collection "New Moon" and " I married an Angel",

Enjoyed the movie