Jeanette modeling one of her Adrian creations in MGM’s “Sweethearts”(1938)
“She was one of the entertainment world greats in every medium--stage, radio, screen, records, concert, grand opera and was one of the first top name stars in show business to recognize the future of television. Jeanette MacDonald was a Super Star before the name was invented. Talented and bright and caring as anybody we have ever known, she had style and breeding, albeit her size 3 1/2 shoes planted firmly down to earth. The image Jeanette MacDonald exhibited on the movie screen had nothing to do with the true personality of Jeanette MacDonald the serious concert artist and vivacious, friendly woman. In private life she was never coy, spoiled, saccharine, flighty, petulant or arch--all adjectives used to describe the characters she played in film roles. She was realistic, hardworking and ambitious. She was thoroughly professional at all times and gifted with the unique capability of “seeing” a project, not merely in terms of her own role, but as a whole. Jeanette MacDonald was amazing combination of intellect, energy and discipline. To pinpoint the key to her character, in a word, would be self-discipline. No rash or unthinking moves for her. She had a strong will and high personal moral standards that made her secure and unaffected by any shady aspects of the show business world.” (from American Screen Classics July/August 1978, article by Clara Rhoades and Tessa Williams)
Another photo of Jeanette in later life
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