New Moon

New Moon MGM, 1940, B/W, 106 minutes, ***½ Released July, 1940   Sigmund Romberg's stage play becomes another great classic from the peerless pair, Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. This one finds the two stranded on an island in the New World with a boatload of passengers. Forseeing no rescue, they set about building their own little town and establishing their own form of government. A sort of Utopia theme, but of course, things don't go perfectly. Eddy is romantically interested in MacDonald, but has to pursue her for some time before she gives in (poor Nelson, he never had an easy time winning Jeanette!). Very entertaininng film. Musical highlights include the rousing "Stout Hearted Men," "Lover Come Back to Me" and "Softly as in a Morning Sunrise," among others. The story begins aboard the French packet Joie de Anges en route from Marseilles to New Orleans, 1789... Produced and Directed by: Robert Z. Leonard Screen Play by: Jacques Deval and Robert Arthur Based on the Musical Operetta "New Moon;" Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein 2nd, Frank Mandel and Laurence Schwab; Music by Sigmund Romberg Musical Direction: Herbert Stothart Dances: Val Raset Art Director: Cedric Gibbons Associate: Eddie Imazu Set Decorations: Edwin B. Willis Gowns by: Adrian Men's Costumes: Gile Steele Make-Up Created by: Jack Dawn Recording Director: Doughlas Shearer Director of Photography: William Daniels Film Editor: Harold F. Kress Cast: Jeanette MacDonald [Marianne de Beaumanoir], Nelson Eddy [Charles Mission], Mary Boland [Valerie de Rossac], George Zucco [Vicomte de Ribaud], H. B. Warner [Father Michel], Dick Purcell [Alexander], Stanley Fields [Tambour], Bunty Cutler [Julie the Maid], Grant Mitchell [Governor of New Orleans], Ray Walker [Coco], John Miljan [Pierre Brugnon, Overseer], Ivan Simpson [Guizot], George Irving [Ship Captain], Edwin Maxwell [Capt. de Jean], Paul E. Burns [Guard on Ship], Trevor Bardette [Foulette], LeRoy Mason [Grant], William Tannen [Pierre], Cecil Cunningham [Governor's Wife], Claude King [Mons. Dubois], Rafael Storm [De Piron], Winifred Harris [Lady], Buster Keaton [Prisoner "LuLu"], Robert Warwick [Commissar], Sarah Edwards [Marquise della Rosa], George Lloyd [Quartermaster], Gayne Whitman [Mate], Jean Fenwick [Woman], George Magrill [Guard], Christian J. Frank, Arthur Belasco, Edward Hearn, Nick Copeland, Gino Corrado, Fred Graham, Ralph Dunn, Harry Strang, Ray Teal, Ted Oliver [Bondsmen], Frank Remsden [Man], Ed O'Neill [Lookout], Warren Rock [Mate], Jewell Jordan [Woman], Joe Yule [Maurice], Max Marx [Officer], Alden Chase (aka Stephen Chase) [Citizen], Jack Perrin [Officer], Claire Rochelle [Drunken Girl], Frank Elliott, Kenneth Gibson, Victor Kendall, Gerald Fielding, Bea Nigro, Hillary Brooke [Guests], Dorothy Granger [Fat Bridesmaid], June Gittelson [Madeline], David Alison [Troubadour], Joe Dominguez [Wounded Bondsman], Florence Shirley [Guest], Forbes Murray [Commandant] Musical Program: [0:00] Overture Medley (excerpt of Stout Hearted Men played by Orchestra, excerpts of Wanting You and Lover Come Back to Me sung by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy offscreen); [0:01] Dance Your Cares Away (sung and danced by Chorus); [0:02] Stranger in Paris (sung by Jeanette MacDonald); [0:04] The Way They Do It in Paris (sung by Jeanette MacDonald, interrupted by singing of Nelson Eddy and Bond Servants); [0:21] Shoes (sung by Nelson Eddy); [0:23] Softly as in a Morning Sunrise (sung by Nelson Eddy); [0:31] One Kiss (sung by Jeanette MacDonald); [0:38] Wailing / Troubles of the World (sung by Slaves at the Trouble Tree); [0:43] Wanting You (sung by Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald); [0:53] Lover Come Back to Me (reprised by Jeanette MacDonald); [0:59] Stout Hearted Men (sung by Nelson Eddy and Mens Chorus); [1:05] Ombra ma fu (from the opera XERXES, sung by Jeanette MacDonald and Womens Chorus); [1:21] Marianne (sung by Citizens); [1:25] Marianne (reprised by Citizens); [1:28] Marianne (different lyric, excerpt sung by Nelson Eddy, Jeanette MacDonald and Citizens); [1:29] Dance Your Cares Away (excerpt sung and danced by Chorus); [1:30] Marianne (different lyric, excerpt sung by Citizens); [1:37] Lover Come Back to Me (reprised by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy); [1:41] Stout Hearted Men / La Marseillaise (sung by Nelson Eddy and Mens Chorus); [1:43] Wanting You (reprised by Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald) in counterpoint with Stout Hearted Men (sung by Mens Chorus)