Jeanette MacDonald's Rules For Aspiring Singers

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19140, 8 October 1936, Page 13

Jeanette MacDonald's Rules For Aspiring Singers

WHEN Jcanette MacDonald sings a full note directly at a motion picture camera, everybody admits, that the result is a pleasant thing to hoar —and, what is more important, to see. There arc few singers who can maintain their good looks and continue to appear attractive with their mouths wide open. Miss MacDonald is .one of tboso few, and when she accomplishes such a scone, the satisfactory results arc not based on hick; they arc tho outcome of intense study.

Jcanctte MacDonnld 's character is full of She accompanies herself on the piano to learn her songs, but she will not sing before au'andip!nce-or microphone without instrumental accompan imen t. Miss Mae Donald to-day thanks her healthy childhood for her present ability. Her advice to children is: eat what mother gives you and learn your lessons, because some day you might bocome a singer or a movie star, or both, and you'll need them. Miss Mae Donald needed hers, and she was glad she had them. Sufficient Food.

Regarding tho eating of sufficient food t.o support the necessary energy requirements of a strenuous life, Miss Mae Donald makes no exception for singers. "The idea that singers cannot and should not cat this or that sort of food is ridiculous," she said. "Eat. what you think best for y.ou, but eat well."

Other rules for singers as voiced by Miss Mae Donald reflect her own commonsenso attitude regarding the freedom of an individual.

"I always breathe fresh air," she declared. "This is most essential for a singing voice. In my concert work, and before my singing scenes in pictures, I always inhale severol deep draughts of clean, fresh air, outdo.ors. I practise my vocal lessons in rooms with all windows open, and I do not sing in smoke-filled places —unless, of course, the scenario of a picture demands smoking on the set.

"Sleep, top, is very essential for a good voice. I am happiest when I can sleep 10 hours, and I try to arrange two five-hour periods of sleep every day. Clothing Is Not Important. "Clothing is not important to singers. Wear tho clothing you like best, but it is advisable not to havo any garments choking the body. Freedom of movement is the only watchword concerning apparel, although in my newest picture, 'San Francisco,' the story is laid 30 years ago, and I do all my singing in costumes of 1900, when all waists were drawn and pinched-in tightly, and women's figures were like hourglasses. It was after working in those costumes that I. appreciated the m.odcrn healthy fashions."

As a singer of world-wide renown, Miss MacDonnld is fully cognisant of tho necessity for study. It is because of her sensible views that Miss Mae Donald and her director, hardened veteran W. S. Van Dyke, get along so well together. Mr. Van Dyke has directed Miss MacDonnld in her three most successful pictures, the latest one being 'San Francisco,' in which she is Clark Gable's lending lady. Others in the cast include Spencer Tracy, Jack Holt, Ted Healy, and Jessie Ralph.

"San Francisco" is a story about a young singer (played by Miss MacDonald), who tries to choose between a career in opera or cabarets.

MUCH to the delight of cast and crow, the afternoon teas which Katharine Hepburn inaugurated on the sets of "Mary of Scotland" are being continued in "Portrait of a Rebel," in which she co-stars with Herbert Marshall. At four, .or thereabouts, each afternoon, Miss Hepburn serves her own special brand of imported tea with biscuits, cakes, or pastry from her own kitchen.