Jeanette's Marriage to Gene Raymond

"As reverently beautiful as a picture from a medieval princess story book, was the scene at Wilshire Methodist Episcopal Church last night as titian-haired Jeanette MacDonald became the bride of Gene Raymond. In a single-ring ceremony, witnessed by fellow stars and co-workers, with the devoted servants of both families, the two screen celebrities knelt before the flower-decked altar at exactly 9:30 PM as the Rev. Willsie Martin intoned the beautiful wedding service which joined two of Hollywood's own.

Inside the church were gathered all the friends of Jeanette and Gene-those who loved them and who have watched this romance since it started over a year ago. Outside were more than 10,000 loyal well-wishers and fans, who gathered to call friendly greetings to the stars who were invited, and to cheer the bridal party.

Jeanette was radiant in her bridal gown of flesh pink (her favorite color) mousseline over delicate pink taffeta, full sleeves, a lace collar and a tiny bouquet of flowers at her throat. Jeanette is one of the few redheads who can wear pink and look well. The long veil, over the bride's beautiful flaming hair was pink tulle. The cap was edged with flowers, and the bride carried a gold embroidered satin prayer book with the initials "G" and "J" embossed in the corner. The bridal train was probably the longest ever seen in Hollywood, even in a picture. The church blazed with the light of a thousand candelabra as the bridal party slowly walked up the aisle.

As Mrs. Anna MacDonald, the bride's mother, charming in grey lace, wearing white orchids, entered the first pew, the inspirational voice of Nelson Eddy, Jeanette's co-star in many of her finest pictures, rang out with the heart-stirring "I Love You Truly." A second song, "Perfect Love," followed the prayer.

Then, as Gene, his best man and brother, Robert Marlowe, and the minister walked to the altar, the chimes rang out in clear, beautiful tones. But all eyes were turned to the back of the church and a gasp of admiration went up as the colorful bridal party came up the aisle.

First came the bridal attendants, Mrs. John Monk Saunders (Fay Wray), Mrs. Richard Hargreaves (Helen Ferguson), Ginger Rogers and Mrs. John Mack Brown, looking like flowers in their soft, pink frost crepe gowns, fashioned in Grecian style. Each wore small pink frost caps surrounded by baby's breath, and they wore mousseline sheer coats over their gowns. It would be difficult to find more beautiful bridesmaids.

The faces of the ushers-Harold Lloyd, Allan Jones, John Mack Brown, Basil Rathbone, Richard Hargreaves and Warren Rock-were wreathed in smiles as all eyes turned on the charming group. Next came Jeanette's sister and matron of honor, Mrs. Warren Rock, charming in a gown of pale blue mousseline with three-tier bouffant skirt. Over the dress was a pale blue mousseline coat with a tiny blue flower-edged matching hat.

But all eyes were on Jeanette MacDonald, whose beauty was never more apparent as, with her prayer book clasped in her hands, she gazed directly at Gene Raymond where he stood waiting for her.

Jeanette seemed entirely composed, but she trembled for a moment as she reached the altar.

The church had been transformed into a veritable bower of delicate pink roses. From the enormous stained glass window behind and high above the altar, hung a centerpiece of pale peach satin, framing the gold altar cross.

On each side of the altar were high trellises covered with a profusion of Joanna Hill roses. The greenhouses must have been literally raided for this particular flower, which I have no doubt will become the fashionable bridal blossom.

It was an inspiring picture and one Hollywood will not soon forget as the words of the marriage ceremony were begun by the Rev. Mr. Martin. The bride was given away by her mother, speaking from the first row. She sat with her eldest daughter, Elsie.

Then Gene kissed his bride and both smiled as he wiped lipstick from his lips with a white-gloved hand. The church rang with the happy Mendelssohn Wedding March, followed by the benediction; the bridal party leaving the church immediately for the bride's home, where a small reception was held.

By the time we arrived at her home in Beverly Hills, Jeanette and Gene were receiving congratulations in front of a rose-covered trellis.

Those closest to them rallied about, wishing them all the happy things brides and grooms have been wished from time immemorial-health, wealth and happiness. If I am any prophet, I feel sure these kindly wishes are sure to come true. This is no usual Hollywood marriage, but a union based on real love and as exciting a romance as any girl and boy might have in the ordinary walks of life.

Jeanette wore a diamond necklace, the gift of her bridegroom, and he, not to be outdone, proudly showed us the platinum and diamond studs his talented and beautiful bride had presented to him.

Laughingly admitting that she was superstitious bride, Jeanette told me she had worn "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue and a sixpence in her shoe."

The "something old" was the beautiful lace handkerchief she carried. It has been in her family for many years. The "something new" was her entire bridal ensemble. The "something blue," her sapphire engagement ring, and she had borrowed her wedding shoes from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio. Jeanette really did the superstitions one better. Both Richard Hargreaves and Fay Wray presented her with a sixpence, so she wore one in each bridal shoe.

The first toast she gave Gene and his first glass of champagne to her was drunk in two twin gold chalice glasses which their close friends, Helen Ferguson and Richard Hargreaves, had given them a few weeks before the marriage.

In the dining room I saw Jeanette's adorable 70-year old Aunt Sally, looking like a picture herself in her mauve lace gown, busy calling attention to the beautiful wedding cake shaped like a huge basket of roses.

And in a room all to themselves (there were so many) were the wedding presents. I've never seen such a bewildering profusion of lovely things.

Nelson Eddy sent beautiful lamps; a silver tray from the Allan Joneses; an antique silver kettle from Fay Wray; sterling silver frame for their wedding picture from Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hargreaves; champagne coolers from the Harold Lloyds; silver service plates and a chest of silver from Louis B. Mayer and Nicholas Schenck; a magnificent silver platter from Benny Thau; and a beautiful silver basket from the "Firefly" company.

It was a beautiful wedding...and hearts filled with loving wishes followed the laughing pair as they left for a brief motor trip in the North. Jeanette wore a white dress with white orchids on her shoulder as a going-away ensemble.

She and Gene must return to Hollywood so the bride can finish dance sequences in her latest picture, "The Firefly," before they will be free for their real honeymoon trip to Honolulu. They are both troupers, so even a delayed honeymoon did not dim their happiness.

The bride chose for her gown a lovely creation of flesh pink mousseline over taffeta of a matching shade. Fashioned in redingote style, it had long full sleeves and a high neck collared with lace and caught with a tiny bouquet of flowers. The skirt was extremely full and fell into a long train. The gown was edged with two rows of hand tucks and loops of the mousseline. From a shell-shaped lace cap edged with tiny flowers, fell a double tulle veil of the same pale pink, and in her hands Miss MacDonald carried a gold embroidered pink satin prayer book.

Mrs. Warren Rock, sister of the bride and matron of honor, wore a gown of pale blue mousseline, made with a three-tiered bouffant skirt and fitted bodice. Over this she wore a long coat of matching fabric fashioned with long, full sleeves, and a standing collar. On her head a tiny blue mousseline cap was edged with pale blue flowers.