Mario Lanza
Films
Critic's Choice Collection
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THAT MIDNIGHT KISS Mario Lanza, Kathryn Grayson. In his first film, Mario plays an ex-GI truck driver with a dazzling voice who falls in love with a high society soprano. Lanza capturedAmerica with his boyish charm and magnificent voice in this full color MGM classic. Co-starring Ethel Barrymore and Jose Iturbi. (1949) 98/min |
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THE TOAST OF NEW ORLEANS Mario Lanza, Kathryn Grayson, David Niven, J. Carrol Naish. Mario flexes his unmatched voice and exuberance in this MGM spectacular in which he plays a singing shrimp fisherman who is discovered by Niven and Grayson. Some hilarious moments as Mario must be instructed in the fine arts of civility and manners enroute to the film's unforgettable Madame Butterfly finale. (1950) 103/min |
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THE GREAT CARUSO Mario Lanza, Ann Blyth. Mario hit his zenith playing his idol in this opulent, semi-fictional biography. Loaded with brilliantly sung operatic highlights, Mario outshines the brightest female Met stars of the day, including Dorothy Kirsten, in this blockbuster which turned the 31 year old singing sensation into the world's first modern entertainment superstar. (1951) 109/min |
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BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE Mario Lanza, Doretta Morrow, James Whitmore. An opera star is drafted into the army but soon discovers that his drill sergeant just happens to be an opera lover with a beautiful little sister. More great Lanza singing including his peerless rendition of "The Lord's Prayer" and a sensational "Granada" as the film's finale. (1952) 101/min |
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SERENADE Mario Lanza, Joan Fontaine, Vincent Price. Lanza's voice was never more dramatic and overwhelmingly powerful than in this Warner Bros. story of a simple man with a magnificent voice who falls under the evil spell of an unfaithful society vixen. His rise, fall, and resurrection showcase Mario's under appreciated acting depth. Critics have said Serenade contains some of the most heroic and majestic singing ever captured on film. (1956) 121/min |
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THE SEVEN HILLS OF ROME Mario Lanza, Peggy Castle, Marissa Allasio. Having forsaken Hollywood and moved to Italy, Lanza stars and sings his way through this Italian production released through MGM. Somewhat mirroring his own life, Lanza plays a television star who escapes a turbulent career in America and moves to Italy where he falls in love. Beautiful singing and Roman scenery. (1958) 104/min |
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FOR THE FIRST TIME Mario Lanza, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Johanna Von Kosczian. Lanza's final film at 38 casts him as a temperamental opera star (what else?) who falls in love with a beautiful deaf girl and dedicates his life to finding a way to help restore her hearing. Some great Lanza singing including "Vesti la Guibba" in full costume. (1959) 97/min |
| THE STUDENT PRINCE Edmund Purdom. Ann Blyth. Explosive conflict with the film's director drove Mario off the lot and off the film. His singing voice only is heard dubbed over Purdom's acting. Could have been Lanza cinema magic. The "Serenade" might well have become Mario's signature song, even surpassing "Be My Love". (1954) 107/min | |
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