Maytime (1937)

An elderly Miss Morrison recounts her life as the once young and beautiful opera singer Marcia Morney-then the toast of Napoleon III's Paris. One evening, she encounters an American voice ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Z. Leonard

Writers:

Rida Johnson Young (operetta), Noel Langley,

Stars:

Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, John Barrymore

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jeanette MacDonald	...	Marcia Mornay
Nelson Eddy	...	Paul Allison
John Barrymore	...	Nicolai Nazaroff
Herman Bing	...	August Archipenko
Tom Brown	...	Kip Stuart
Lynne Carver	...	Barbara Roberts
Rafaela Ottiano	...	Ellen
Charles Judels	...	Cabby
Paul Porcasi	...	Trentini
Sig Ruman	...	Fanchon (as Sig Rumann)
Walter Kingsford	...	Mr. Rudyard
Guy Bates Post	...	Louis Napoleon

Storyline

An elderly Miss Morrison recounts her life as the once young and beautiful opera singer Marcia Morney-then the toast of Napoleon III's Paris. One evening, she encounters an American voice student, Paul Allison, and the two unexpectedly fall in love. Unfortunately for her, she has already accepted the marriage proposal of her mentor, Nicolai Nazaroff-more out of obligation than any feeling of love for him. As a result, she breaks off her relationship with Paul, and reluctantly marries Nicolai. After 7 years of marriage, Nicolai sets up Marcia for an engagement performance in the United States of the opera "Tsaritsa". Nicolai signs up Paul as her leading partner, not knowing of Marcia and Paul's past. When he realizes what he has done, Nicolai becomes enraged with jealousy...

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Plot Keywords:

opera | opera singer | jealousy | may day | unrequited love | 

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Taglines:

One day to last them the rest of their lives.

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 March 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

Primavera

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White (Sepiatone)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The original operetta opened on Broadway in New York on 16 August 1917. It was so popular a second production was added to run simultaneously.

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Goofs

During the ball scene, Marcia Mornay sings Les filles de Cadiz by Delibes at the command of the Emperor Louis Napoleon. However, the piece was not composed until 1874, whereas Louis reigned from 1852-1870.

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Connections

Featured in MGM Parade: Episode #1.16 (1955)

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Soundtracks

"Now It's the Month of Maying"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung by chorus

User Reviews

A Charming Musical Romance

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.