The Girl of the Golden West

The story in this movie is a popular one. A play, an opera, and at least two movies. La fanciulla del West (The Girl of the Golden West) is an opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Guelfo Civinini and Carlo Zangarini, based on the play The Girl of the Golden West by David Belasco. Its highly-publicized premiere occurred in New York City in 1910 Imagine a western soap opera being sung in Italian! The movie is based on the same play, adapted by the playwright, as was the 1915 version filmed by Cecil B. DeMille. The singing in the movie is great, Nelson Eddy and Jeannette McDonald are a great pair as usual. Worth a watch.

I really loved this movie from the first time I saw it. I know most of the Nelson/Jeanette films are based on the same basic plot structure- but who cares? Fans of Nelson and Jeanette are here for the stars and the music- how it's presented is mostly secondary.

The only thing that irked me about this movie is Sheriff Rance's habit of calling Jeanette "Girl". Maybe he loved her in his own way, but the constant use of the word "girl" instead of her name made me feel as if he wanted to own her rather than accept her as his equal. Strange then that he gave up so easily in the end- But glad that he did! I also loved Buddy Ebsen as Alabama the Blacksmith- what a sweet character!

Of the eight MacDonald/Eddy films, which is the only one that the music was written specifically for the screen? This one happens to be the answer.

Jeanette and Nelson had one thing built in their movies. All of them came from the stage and thus had built-in hit value already. Even with the original score, Girl of the Golden West, has an honorable pedigree as a David Belasco play and a Giacomo Puccini opera. It survives best as a Puccini opera because it's the music that you remember and not the Victorian dialog.

Watching it today you could describe it best as quaint. It might grate on modern tastes, but take it on it's own terms if you view it. Nelson has the best musical moment in this one with Who Are We To Say. In the supporting cast you will enjoy Walter Pidgeon,Buddy Ebsen, Noah Beery,Sr., and H.B. Warner.

"Girl of the Golden West," starring Nelson Eddy and Jeannette MacDonald, is based on the play by David Belasco. This play was also used for Puccini's opera of the same name, "La Fanciulla del West" where the chorus sings, "Vells Fargo! Vells Fargo!" One change - the heroine in the opera is named Minnie; in the movie, she's Mary. Good move.

The film deals with one of those double identity villain/good guys - Eddy plays the crook Ramirez, but as Gringo is giving gold to the Indians through the mission of Father Sienna, who knew him and comforted him as a child when his guardian died. When he robs a stagecoach, he meets the beautiful Mary. She owns the Poker Saloon (which sounds with the heavy western accents like Polka). He's wearing a bandanna that covers most of his face. She's en route to visit Father Sienna, whom she also knew as a child. Determined to meet her as a gentleman, Gringo steals a uniform and introduces himself as Lt. Dick Johnson. He sweeps her off her feet, but he has competition in the local Sheriff, Jack Rance, played by Walter Pidgeon. Pidgeon wants Ramirez caught and Johnson out of Mary's life.

There's lots of singing from a Romberg score here, as well as "Ave Maria" and "Liebestraum" and a big mariachi dance number. MacDonald is excellent as the uneducated, somewhat awkward Mary who can also be a real spitfire. MacDonald was a good actress as well as a beauty, and her middle voice sounds especially rich in the songs. Like many sopranos of that era, she sang her high notes in a way that is no longer taught today, but she produces some lovely soft tones in that range. Eddy was a magnificent singer but never was anywhere near MacDonald in acting. He's very likable, but his accent as Ramirez is an absolute scream. In fact, all of the accents, from Buddy Ebsen on up, are laid on with a spatula. H.B. Warner gives a beautiful performance as the gentle Father Sienna, and Leo J. Carrillo is on hand in his usual type of role. Pidgeon is an effective and handsome Jack Rance.

Entertaining, and fans of Nelson and Jeannette will love it.

I am writing this review after my second viewing of this movie. After my first viewing, I thought it was trash but with time and a sequestered absence, my opinion has changed and I think it is the second best of the Nelson Eddy/ Jeanette Macdonald behind only the incomparable The Naughty Marietta. For one, Nelson Eddy had learned to act, not well but okay. Jeanette gives her best performance in this movie, and that accent is impeccable. The story is good with a lot of serious dramatic scenes including a scene at a log cabin that lasts close to twenty minutes and does not drag. You could cut the music out of this movie and it would still play like a romantic drama. Most of the singing is solid as Eddy was one of the great voices of the 20th Century. Walter Pidgeon as the spurned lover does his thang and Buddy Ebsen in a supporting role of a hick walks away with the whole picture. The basic plot of the Puccini opera is retained if not mangled and Belasco's play forms the basis for this movie. All in all, suprisingly low key in style but effective at heart.