Review of The Firefly (1937) by Jennifer H — 03 Aug 2010

Pretty much nobody has seen this musical. And I think I know why. It's hard to watch a movie when Jeanette MacDonald is in the arms of a man besides Nelson Eddy but watch it I did. And I will say it and say it again, " This musical touched my heart and left me wanting to see it again." Sure it's not Nelson Eddy. But Allen Jones is cool too. This is the ONLY movie I've seen with the man so I don't have a lot of proof when it comes to his coolness meter. Allen Jones was ever so much the hero in my eyes at the end of the film and I am very picky about my heroes.

The story was very badly filmed. Boosting Jeanette's singing rep might have been the reason why the story happens at the end of the film- because the first of the film is all singing. The songs make up for that though. The Donkey Serenade. Never expected such a bouncy, un-operatic song to me in a Jeanette MacDonald film. Of course, Jones was the one singing it. The romance number Jones sings to MacDonald near the middle of the film (it's the one in the garden, it's name escapes me), was beautiful. If I enjoyed Opera, I would never mind if a lover sang that song to me. And what intrigue! Jeanette MacDonald, a spy. That doesn't happen everyday. An inspiring story that I wish everyone knew about.