Jeanette MacDonald was the first musical superstar of the sound era. She appeared in 29 films over a 20-year period from 1929 to 1949. After starring in "The Love Parade" (1929) with Maurice Chevalier, she became a major star in Hollywood practically overnight. MacDonald made eight films with Nelson Eddy from 1935 to 1942, making Hollywood history as a film team. In between, she appeared in five films that were in the three strip Technicolor, starting in 1938. This makes Jeanette MacDonald the first queen of Technicolor, before Betty Grable, Maria Montez or Maureen O'Hara earned the title. MacDonald's red hair, blue-green eyes and peach complexion were perfectly suited for the Technicolor camera. In 1936, MacDonald was listed in the top ten box-office stars in America. In Britain she was in the top ten from 1937 to 1942. To this day, Jeanette MacDonald has the oldest and largest fan club in the world.

at right, Jeanette MacDonald in 1941