Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy were stars of blockbuster MGM musicals like “Naughty Marietta,” “Rose Marie” and “Maytime,” the highest grossing international film of 1937.
Supposed enemies off-screen, their off-screen love affair began in 1935 and survived studio interference by boss Louis B. Mayer, marriages to others, infidelities, numerous breakups and their clashing temperaments.
When MacDonald died in 1965 from a heart condition, Eddy drowned his sorrow in drink and worked non-stop until just two years later, he collapsed onstage in Miami with a fatal stroke.
Eddy was a man of many talents and wrote a song for Jeanette called “My Wonder One.” He first sang it on his radio show in 1946 and shocked his fans. It was evident the lovesick lyrics were not about Eddy’s wife, Ann Franklin, since the trades reported that they were currently trying to negotiate a divorce settlement.
For fans who endlessly followed--and occasionally caught--Eddy and MacDonald together in public, this bold song seemed to be Nelson’s way of letting the world know his true feelings:
My wonder one
My shining sun
I feel your thrilling vibration.
Your witching face,
Enchanting grace,
Have cast a spell of elation.
My magic you,
My dream come true
My world’s divinest creation.
My search is done
My prize is won
The wonder is, you’re mine!
I see in your smile
Something mesmerizing.
You have a winning guile
Your touch is magnetizing.
I stand before you in surrender,
How I adore you.
With a tender yearning
I am burning.
--- Nelson Eddy
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