At the height of their careers, MacDonald and Eddy managed to disappoint many of their most ardent fans."Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy are like tapioca," wrote Frank Nugent of the New York Times. "Either you like them or you don't." With this film the public began dividing into two camps: those who loved the splendid entertainment Jeanette and Nelson promised in a good film and those who would be content to watch them read (or sing) the proverbial phone book. Musically, this1938 movie abounds in some of the loveliest melodies Sigmund Romberg could write and musical director Herbert Stothart outdid himself in vibrant orchestrations. Unfortunately, M-G-M also dramatized uninteresting incidents only mentioned in the stage version and made maximum use of extremely obvious sound stage exteriors. The Girl of the Golden West was the first weak MacDonald-Eddy vehicle and didn't bring much glory to anyone. While it was one of the top moneymakers of the year, the split between the general public and the "fans" was beginning. The uncritical enthusiasm of the second only served to reinforce the opinion of the former that all MacDonald-Eddy films were "silly." On top of the cool critical reception to The Firefly and Rosalie, their previous solo films, Girl represented a distinct minus for their careers.OTHER VIEWS: The foremost criticism of Girl was its length combined with the weak plot. Variety thought it was twenty minutes too long, the New York Post said thirty minutes, and the New York World-Telegram acknowledged that there may have been longer films but "few others have seemed as long." The reviewer continued: "the story is neither distinctive nor sturdy and hasn't been helped much by the diffused direction." Jeanette's singing also drew uniform raves, but her characterizations varied from "excellent" (New York Post) to "a little bit embarrassing" (New York World Telegram). All in all, this was one of the big disappointments of my picture-going youth. The impossible script seems to have defeated almost everyone: Director, leads, photographer, set designers, film editor. A major wasteland of talent, the script can only be described as a tediously trite collection of old-fashioned theatrics. Even the Romberg songs fail to perk up or alleviate the long winded, pedestrian proceedings.

This was not one of Jeanette MacDonald's and Nelson Eddy's best films.It's just a matter of time before the young boy Gringo finds out who sang so lovely at the camp sight. It will take years later when the two are grown up and by that time, Gringo takes the name of Ramirez and is embittered because the man who took him in is slain by settlers who thought he was out to get them. Just like the man, Gringo becomes an outlaw and steals.When Eddy is shot in the shoulder by Sheriff Walter Pidgeon, MacDonald acts like a silent screen damsel in distress. MacDonald is totally unfit for the role and Eddy again proves what a bad actor he was.While it's true that the singing is beautiful, the plot line is thin. The ending is pure Hollywood and at least Eddy survives in this picture.

I am writing this review after my second viewing of this movie. After my first viewing, I thought it was trash but with time and a sequestered absence, my opinion has changed and I think it is the second best of the Nelson Eddy/ Jeanette Macdonald behind only the incomparable The Naughty Marietta. For one, Nelson Eddy had learned to act, not well but okay. Jeanette gives her best performance in this movie, and that accent is impeccable. The story is good with a lot of serious dramatic scenes including a scene at a log cabin that lasts close to twenty minutes and does not drag. You could cut the music out of this movie and it would still play like a romantic drama. Most of the singing is solid as Eddy was one of the great voices of the 20th Century. Walter Pidgeon as the spurned lover does his thang and Buddy Ebsen in a supporting role of a hick walks away with the whole picture. The basic plot of the Puccini opera is retained if not mangled and Belasco's play forms the basis for this movie. All in all, suprisingly low key in style but effective at heart.

Of the eight MacDonald/Eddy films, which is the only one that the music was written specifically for the screen? This one happens to be the answer.Jeanette and Nelson had one thing built in their movies. All of them came from the stage and thus had built-in hit value already. Even with the original score, Girl of the Golden West, has an honorable pedigree as a David Belasco play and a Giacomo Puccini opera. It survives best as a Puccini opera because it's the music that you remember and not the Victorian dialog.Watching it today you could describe it best as quaint. It might grate on modern tastes, but take it on it's own terms if you view it. Nelson has the best musical moment in this one with Who Are We To Say. In the supporting cast you will enjoy Walter Pidgeon,Buddy Ebsen, Noah Beery,Sr., and H.B. Warner.