Maytime (1937)

An aging opera singer looks back on her long life, including her relationships with her vocal teacher and a student.

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:

month in title | opera | jealousy | opera singer | blizzard | 

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Taglines:

THEY POURED OUT THEIR HEARTS IN GOLDEN SONG! (original print ad-all caps)

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

The plot of the stage "Maytime" is completely different from the one used in the film, and only one song from the stage production ("Will You Remember?") was retained for the film.

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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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Crazy Credits

Opening credits are shown on the water and on the bark of the trees.

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Alternate Versions

Originally released in Sepia Platinum for Roadshow engagements, this was a process most famously used in the Kansas portions of 'The Wizard of Oz' and the Panama jungle scenes in 'The Sea Hawk'

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Connections

Featured in We Must Have Music (1941)

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Soundtracks

Ham and Eggs
Music by Herbert Stothart
Lyrics by Bob Wright (as Robert Wright) and Chet Forrest (as George Forrest)
Sung by Nelson Eddy and chorus

User Reviews

Why did Stothart adapt Tchaikovsky?

Because there was nothing suitable in the opera repertoire for a baritone and a soprano to sing together! And Romberg's music wasn't used because it was too expensive; practically everything in the film score was in public domain or composed for the film. Likewise, filming in color was nixed in a cost-cutting move (though, frankly, I can't imagine how this film could be any better in color!) Movie-making is all and always about compromise.

A little research into Herbert Stothart's tonal plan for this film will help you understand it better, if understanding the technicalities will help you appreciate it more. But just enjoy "Maytime" for what it is, not what it isn't. A lovely, opulent, romance treasure. Don't be afraid to like it!

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 (tinted sequences)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1