Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy were the stars of this 1936 film, with Stewart playing the minor role of John Flower in only his second feature film appearance.
Below is a candid photo from the set of the film which appeared in the September, 1936, edition of Hollywood:
Seen eating birthday cake are (L-R): Gene Raymond, Nelson Eddy, Anita Louise, Jeanette MacDonald and Jimmy Stewart.
Although there was no soundtrack album, several songs were recorded and released by the stars of the film. These include:
Rose Marie (Otto Harbach/Oscar Hammerstein II/Rudolf Friml)/The Mounties (Otto Harbach/Oscar Hammerstein II/Rudolf Friml/Herbert Stothart) – Victor Red Seal 4305
Indian Love Call (Otto Harbach/Oscar Hammerstein II/Rudolf Friml) – RCA Victor Red Seal 4323)
Indian Love Call entered the Billboard chart on December 26, 1936. It remained on the chart for six weeks, rising as high as #8.
All three of these songs would appear again in 1950 on a 10-inch album titled Operetta Favorites by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy (RCA Victor LCT 16 Red Seal Record – Collector’s Issue).
In 1954, Rose Marie was re-made with Ann Blyth and Howard Keel taking the roles that had been played by Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy in the 1936 version of the film. A new soundtrack was also released. RCA saw an opportunity to sell some records by the 1936 cast and released the next EP (RCA Victor Red Seal Records ERA-220). The same three tracks from Rose Marie were included.
In 1958, RCA Victor released another EP titled Indian Love Call (EPA 5053). The title track is the only one from the film included.
In 1980, the complete soundtrack of the film was finally issued (Hollywood Soundstage H.S. 414).
All songs on this album are recorded directly from the film’s soundtrack and includes dialogue. None of Stewart’s dialogue is included, so only a mention on the front cover ties him to this soundtrack. From the album, here is track 4 from side 1 – Dinah/Some of These Days.
Songs from the soundtrack have been reissued many times over the years. The most notable releases during the CD years include these two sets.
Rhino Records R2 72182 (1995) – That’s Entertainment! The Ultimate Anthology of M-G-M Musicals
Rhino/Warner Brothers R2 73192 – That’s Entertainment! The Ultimate Anthology of M-G-M Musicals
Both feature just the song…Rose Marie.
