Jeanette MacDonald sings 'San Francisco'

[@KENZOWAL]

I can't imagine any other singer on Earth who could sing this powerful, emotional song any better than Janette MacDonald. What a teriffic film. What a great cast. What outstanding production and directing!

[@sithjordan]

I never will forget, Mmmm...Jeanette MacDonald .... Just to think of her, it gives my heart a pang .....

[@TedWms521]

Some years ago we were in San Francisco on Christmas Day and decided to see the film of My Fair Lady at the Castro Theater. The theater was sold out. Before the film began the organ rose up from the pit and the organist pounded into a thrilling version of this song and the crowd went crazy. It was great! I think even the Angelos were were won over.

[@waynebrasler]

No one like her before or since. What a voice! What a figure! What a personality! What projection! She was one of the few stars on the MGM lot Louis B. Mayer didn't tangle with. She was known as "The Iron Butterfly." She knew what was best for her on screen and she got her way.

[@joecool89nm]

I never will forget how that brave Janette just stood there in the ruins and sang...aaaaand saaaang!

[@flowage5]

God I never get tired of this song

[@davidkelley4111]

A voice like hers can never die! Thanks!

[@KENZOWAL]

Wow! This is a professional grade video! Whoever produced it deserves a Grammy or an Oscar. This is a wonderful, unique film about not only the American Spirit, but also the Spirit of our City! Bravo!

[@pat7893]

Saw this as a child in the 50's as an old re-run. Have never forgotten that gorgeous descant, although at the time did not know it had a name!! Just knew that an angel was singing!

[@j861190]

Thanks for this compilation of a great song by an all-time great singer

[@Rollich]

A rousing number from a great movie, so much better than "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Thanks for posting.

[@Farrah300]

Jeanette McDonald is simply gorgeous in this. She's a fabulous singer too.

[@KENZOWAL]

I thanked God when I escaped LA and moved to San Francisco in 1984. This movie, and Jeanette MacDonald's powerhouse performance remind me what a great movie, and what a great city they are. Whenever I see this spot on, four star film, I rejoice. The City has spirit, and that spirit rebuilt the Paris of the United States after one of the worst disasters of all time. We should all cheer, and celebrate its rebirth. And remember, We built this city on Rock and Roll.

[@waynebrasler]

Jeanette was one of the few ladies at M-G-M Studios who could hold her own with Louis B. Mayer, who called her the "iron butterfly." She new exactly what she wanted in every film and was more than willing to tough it out to get her way.

[@itsmylife1776]

I love the spot in this movie (at :40) when Blackie Norton is just so amazed at how talented Mary (Jeanette MacDonald) is he exhales a whoo.In that moment he was so focused on her performance that nothing else existed.Then the audience breaks him out of his trance while clapping in appreciation of her performance. Just another great moment in this wonderful movie.

[@Sc16180]

Fantastic!!! Great editing. I just returned from SF and saw Beach Blanket Babylon and could not stop hearing this clip when they ended the show and everyone came out on stage singing San Francisco. What a scream!

[@monoceros1222]

Just came back from San Francisco...love the city and the song! I wasn't overly aware of the movie but the clips on YT demonstrate it was pretty damn good!!

[@morrisralph54]

Awesome & Thrilling....that's talent.

[@ThePerchance]

She has the voice of untouched ethereal quality.

[@burffle]

THANK YOU for this fabulous combining of the lovely Jeanette MacDonald

[@ToniLynnPhoto]

went to in n out today, and met Jeanette's grand daughter, probably in her late 50's, she was super nice and hilarious. She had her friends there too and they were like a bunch of comedians!

[@swanningaround]

Great song. Great singer.

[@dellavar]

She sings to us up here lo these many years, and we are loving it

[@StrwbrrysNChoco8]

(Chorus) San Francisco, open your golden gate You let no stranger wait outside your door San Francisco, here is your wandering one Saying "I'll wander no more." Other places only make me love you best, Tell me you're the heart of all the Golden West San Francisco, welcome me home again, I'm coming home to go roaming no more. Composed by Bronislaw Kaper and Walter Jurmann, with lyrics by Gus Kahn,

[@Ettoredipugnar]

She was a tremendous star.

[@plato12000]

San Francisco and Showboat are two of my favourite movies from the 1930s. Many thanks for posting!

[@funnyguy52]

Jeanette MacDonald was a great talent. This was here greatest moment on film. Too bad she isn't remembered as well as some of the other great stars of her day.

[@CalifaJohn]

"Too casual for high opera." "Too operatic for popular music." And just right for a golden age of Hollywood. Vive Jeanette!

[@MadDiMoody7]

Many thanks Stephen. Great scene from a great film. Di

[@flowage5]

Frankie, I just love this tune and JM, thanks for putting this on, I fell in love with her the moment I saw her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@flowage5]

I just watched San Fran.,for about the 4th time I love her singing of the song, kararules your nuts, and yeah I did seeJolson in her mannerism, but I goose bumps when she sings, plus she was a real doll, red curly hair, slim doesn't get any better than that

[@pat7893]

Her descant is divine!!

[@StrwbrrysNChoco8]

It only takes a tiny corner of This great big world to make the place we love My home up on the hill I find I love you still I've been away, but now I'm back to tell you:

[@saxondog2001]

Undoubtedly, this is one of the big ones from the 1930's. It has it all --- a wonderful bit of drama, music, and storytelling. Thanks for posting

[@Stannnnnnnnn]

Every year on April 18th at 5 a.m. San Franciscans meet at Lotta's Fountain (a fountain donated by chanteuse Lotta Crabtree to the City) for a memorial. After introducing any survivors (2 left in 2012, aged 106 & 107) everyone present sings this song. I always get choked up when I hear it, as I did just now or at the ceremony.

[@bagelboi66]

One of my all-time favourite songs! I still have never seen the movie, but check out the beak on that old guy at about 1:06

[@varadero1839]

As always, such a delight! "It only takes a corner of.." This is amazing. Ms. M really puts this piece into another realm. Thanks for this beautiful bit of nostalgia; we want MORE!

[@Looncici]

beautifull !!!

[@cda345]

I would kill for Jeanette's dress!

[@CarlDuke]

As Contardi said, very skillful compilation of 3 clips of this great song. Well done.

[@TheSpotleight]

5th generation SF native right here. Damn proud.

[@monoceros1222]

@kingcharelsyoung29 If true, you should be very honored. Macdonald is truly one of the greatest American singers!!

[@Rudipolt]

Fine Song! Aloha from Hawaii!

[@lorelei929]

Wow! I absolutely LOVE the way you cut this clip--thanks so much! :D

[@rumpole69]

Although this rendition may be considered a bit over the top and even Jolsonesque, it is this song which inspired me to visit San Francisco. A little bit like the Titanic, but if the big quake was coming I'd like it to happen in the middles of this rousing sing-a-long

[@funnyguy52]

MAGNIFICENT !!!

[@judyanddavid]

Now THAT'S star quality.

[@oswaldofigueroa2996]

Fueron una pareja inolvidable, viviran siempre en nuestra memoria

[@MissCodswallop]

It was originally in black & white, but I think Turner went back and released a colorized version of this movie back in the early '90s. There are a number of old b&w films which have been colorized. I'm not a big fan of colorization of old films, but they didn't ask me! ;)

[@stargate121]

I wish they had a song like that about Newark...

[@jonjamg]

Oh years since I saw this!!!

[@georgesenda1952]

They sing this every year at Lotta's Fountain to commemorate the earthquake and fire. Sadly, we have few if any of the survivors of the quake left.

[@stephenjoeagi]

It is from Turner Classic Mov ies, but I believe it has been deleted from their catalog now.

[@OliverBranch]

Proud San Fransiscan . :)

[@gsmeo309]

Beach Blanket Babylon sang this at both the 2010 and 2012 World Series parades.

[@ticket88]

LOL I've never seen this colorized before. What a trip!

[@TheHiawatha101]

Classic!

[@flowage5]

I love this

[@oswaldofigueroa2996]

Formaron una pareja ideal, los recordare siempre.

[@Jen534]

She's lovely!

[@starlinesusapromo]

Great clip and a great song. Is this the best song about The City? Thank you.

[@excelsior27]

It's too bad that we don't hear this often when the MLB Giants win. I would wish they could replace "I Left My Heart in SF" for this on some games as both songs are official songs of San Francisco. Both are great songs, no? :)

[@mikele25]

it was an austrian composer from vienna, walter jurman, who left his homeland when hitler become power.

[@LovingOperaCinemaTheatre4ever]

I have this film but in Black and white...does anyone knows where to find the version COLORIZED? Give me a hand please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@GeorgeVreelandHill]

Send me back in time. George Vreeland Hill

[@WILLOWSGATEWAY]

me too right!!

[@waynebrasler]

She loved making this film with Gable and Tracy (film company doesn't get finer than that) and the privilege of uttering one of the most famous lines in movie history, "What was that?"

[@susannah1ful]

Mr Gable didn't want to do this movie because his pal Nelson Eddy told him Jeanette treated him pretty badly. Later on Clark appologized to Jeanette for being out of line..Super Movie!

[@stephenjoeagi]

Turner classics had colorized a number of movies about 20 years ago.

[@MissCodswallop]

Also, I'm assuming finding a colorized version of this film would be a bit difficult. There are many more b&w copies than there are colorized.

[@stephenjoeagi]

Je regrette, mais je n en ai pas une copie du film entier sur DVD. Ce que vous voyez ce nest que des extraits d un vieux ruban VHS, pour la plupart en mauvais état. La qualité de cet extrait, a été beaucoup améliorée par les logiciels de KZbin. Je vous remercie pour vôtre intérêt, vos commentaires, et vôtre inscription a mon site.

[@TheTranceCartel]

Yee, I live here

[@wkunzelman1]

@stephenjoeagi Indeed. Since the movie is from 1936. XD

[@mimas101]

Also many thanks for this song. But where is the colored version from? I thought the movie is only in black/white?

[@flowage5]

I just watched JM sind San F., again I know it's kind of corny but she still gives my chills when she sings SF, plus she was a sexy gal

[@mdvwagner]

superb any chance to get the lyrics?

[@fonytailfiggins]

COLOR?? What??? I have the VHS and its black and white! Where do you get the colorized version???

[@StrwbrrysNChoco8]

(Jolson style) San Francisco, open your Golden Gate You let no stranger wait - who's been knockin - who's been knockin' Outside of your door. San Francisco, here comes your wanderin' one And I'm sayin' - and I'm sayin' That I'm gonna wander no more. Other places - other places only make me love you best, Tell me - tell me! You're the heart of the Golden West - the Golden West! San Francisco, welcome me home again I'm coming home to go roamin' no more!

[@gee3dee]

Judy Garland brought me here.

[@stephenjoeagi]

Thank you very much for your kind words. Steve

[@samuelkaplan3726]

It's what we all do, one way or the other.

[@stephenjoeagi]

@Brighteyes1ful I am doing it already. Jeanette.

[@kingcharelsyoung29]

My great great grandma

[@janette339]

i was named after her :)

[@richardsegel9179]

Would love to find sheet music anx more words to song.

[@kingcharelsyoung29]

Hey guys i just wanted to let you know this is my great grest grandmother i am very serious about saying this i just wanted to comment on one of the videos about her

[@navyvet07]

Just watched it in blackandwhite.........and actually loved it.......the color version is abit distracting.

[@Agorante]

The action here was of course in 1906. At that time the Great San Francisco earthquake had been in 1868. That quake was actually in Oakland on the Hayward Fault but Oakland hadn't much population then. After 1906 the San Andreas fault became famous. All that will change in the next few months. The Hayward Fault is due to slip again. In fact it's overdue. The Great San Francisco By Area Quake of 2013 is what we will be singing about soon.

[@justdavon]

So... this is the crazy woman that Judy Garland was singing about?... HAHAHA!!!

[@PforPZ]

San Francisco.

[@misstanwyck]

lol weird since Jeanette (very sadly) never had children

[@lovetheoldies100]

@kingcharelsyoung29 Jeanette McDonald never had children

[@plato12000]

Clark Gable never looked lovelier!

[@TwoBarkingMad]

Ah, but can we be SURE of that ? (Think of Loretta Young and Clark Gable !)

[@2ManyVoices]

ha!

[@alla122]

this movie who is made 1936 is black and white. Colord is not nice. good part of Jeannette Macdonald.

[@Poet2916]

@sithjordan lol...Judy Garland!

[@PforPZ]

This movie is in color?! WTF?!?!

[@Suzito]

Loretta Case closed

[@faeriedanse]

That's the REAL San Francisco song and not that junk that Tony Bennett sings.