Main Cast: Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Mary Boland, George Zucco, H.B. Warner
Release Year: 1940
Country: US
Run Time: 106 minutes
Plot
Previously filmed in 1930 with Lawrence Tibbett and Grace Moore, the robust Sigmund Romberg operetta New Moon was given another airing in 1940 as Nelson Eddy-Jeanette MacDonald vehicle. Set in 18th century Louisiana, the story concerns the relationship between haughty plantation owner Marianne de Beaumanoir (MacDonald) and her handsome bondservant Charles (Eddy). Actually a French nobleman in disguise, Charles leads his fellow bondsman in revolt, commandeering a ship and heading out to sea. He ends up capturing a vessel carrying Marianne and a cargo of mail-order brides. Though the bondsmen and the brides get along just fine, the romance between Marianne and Charles is noticeably strained, but the French Revolution comes along to solve everyone's problems. The soaring Romberg musical score includes such favorites as "One Kiss", "Stout-Hearted Men" and "Lover Come Back to Me", all performed con brio by the stars. Comedian Buster Keaton, whose supporting role was cut from the final release print of New Moon, can still be glimpsed among the bondsmen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
New Moon is one of operetta's most popular warhorses; if this filmization of the material (which takes substantial liberties with the source) is not a great film, it does at least offer a half-dozen or so of Sigmund Romberg's most glorious melodies, delivered by two of the screen's finest legit voices. Indeed, New Moon is best viewed with the ears, rather than the eyes, for when Nelson Eddy's baritone is ripping through "Stout Hearted Men" or Jeanette MacDonald is soaring through "One Kiss," the viewer can close his or her eyes and believe that all is well. Unfortunately, there are long stretches of dialogue that tax the audience's patience. Moreover, even during the songs, there is Eddy's fairly bland performance with which to deal. At least Eddy is not quite so wooden as in other films; however, he's also clearly neither the ladykiller nor the revolutionary that the character is reputed to be. MacDonald comes off better, although, by this point in her career, she has totally lost the enjoyable hint of self-mockery that informed her very early performances. (Fortunately, there's Mary Boland to bring a modicum of levity to the proceedings.) New Moon does have some assets beyond the score -- such as an excellent storm-at-sea sequence -- but it's the musical moments that really make this one. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
