Mario Lanza: Classic Musicals

Includes:

· Mario Lanza Singing to the Gods (program documentary)

· That Midnight Kiss (film)

· The Toast of New Orleans (film)

· Other bonus features ( outtakes, vintage short films, cartoons, and comedy shorts)

The 2-disc DVD set includes the program documentary, Mario Lanza Singing to the Gods, which is the true story of Mario Lanza’s brilliant career and tragic life. The 60-minute special chronicles the remarkable life and times of one of the twentieth century’s most beloved singing stars, Mario Lanza. The program contains a selection of rare photographs, interviews and footage from movies that made him famous throughout the world.

Blessed with one of the great tenor voices of all time, Mario Lanza rose to spectacular heights in a singing career that spanned little more than a decade. Groomed from the outset for a career on the opera stage, Lanza instead flourished in Hollywood and became an overnight sensation with his film That Midnight Kiss. That film and all of the ones that followed proved that Mario Lanza was able to sing the widest range of music imaginable and sing it with ease.

Mario Lanza Singing to the Gods features old photographs of Mario and clips from many of his movies such as: The Student Prince, Serenade, The Great Caruso, and The Toast of New Orleans. There is also inclusion of songs such as “Arrivederci Roma” from the movie Seven Hills of Rome and “Pineapple Picker’s” from the movie For the First Time, which is so unlike what Mario would sing but displays his incredible musical versatility.

There are interviews with friends and family such as: Ellissa Lanza Bregman, Mario’s daughter; his trainer and closest friend Terry Robinson; and Al Teitelbaum, Mario’s manager. Each interview provides a story that unveils the split between Mario’s desire to establish himself as a serious opera singer and the temptations of Hollywood. All agreed that Lanza was tormented by self-doubt which resulted in severe alcoholism and over-eating. Even Mario’s escape to Italy to renew his career did not stop his continued assault on his mind and body. Diagnosed with phlebitis, Mario was warned by his doctor to curtail his lifestyle or else he would be dead from a clot. That diagnosis became true on October 7, 1959 when Mario Lanza died at age 38 of a blood clot that had traveled from his leg to his heart.

Mario Lanza Singing to the Gods is a definitive account of Lanza’s fascinating and unforgettable life and celebrates his incomparable talents and torments that led to his untimely death.

Lanza songs highlighted in the documentary program:

1. Torna A Sorriento
2. La Danza from Serenade
3. Because You’re Mine
4. Sole Mio
5. Vesti La Giubba from The Great Caruso
6. La Donna e Mobile
7. Recondita Armonia
8. Un Di All’Assurro Spazio
9. Mama Mia Che Vo Sape
10. Una Furtiva Lagrima
11. Madame Butterfly / the Love Duet from The Toast of New Orleans
12. Be My Love
13. Naples Inlet from The Great Caruso
14. Mariachiare from The Great Caruso
15. Suave Fanciulla from The Great Caruso
16. Qeusta O Quella from Because You’re Mine
17. Do Something to Me
18. I’ll See You in My Dreams
19. Serenade from Serenade
20. Beloved from The Student Prince
21. Drinking Song from The Student Prince
22. Someday from The Vagabond King
23. Dio Ti Giocondi O Sposo from Serenade
24. Il Lamento Di Federico from Serenade
25. A Vuchella from The Great Caruso
26. Arrivederci Roma from Seven Hills of Rome
27. Santa Lucia
28. E Lucevan Le Stelle
29. Come Prima from For the First Time
30. Pineapple Pickers from For the First Time
31. L’Alba Separa Dalla Luce L’Ombre
32. Look for the Silver Lining

The two-disc set also contains two full-length Mario Lanza films and bonus features. Mario Lanza brought classical music and opera to the masses through the popular art of film during the late 1940’s and 1950’s. Mario Lanza’s 1949 screen debut was MGM’s musical called That Midnight Kiss (98 min.). In a rags-to-riches role he plays Johnny Donetti, a truck driver traveling the road to success and romance by way of his robust tenor voice. This leads him to soprano singer Prudence, Kathryn Grayson, who encourages him to join an opera troupe. Johnny Dionetti mirrors Mario Lanza’s real life background in Pennsylvania. This lighthearted film was the breakthrough role in Mario Lanza’s film career.

Mario’s second film appearance in MGM’s 1950, The Toast of New Orleans (97 min.) firmly established him as a hit-maker in Hollywood. This romantic musical was nominated for an Academy Award for best song with Lanza’s “Be My Love.” Mario plays a humble Louisianan fisherman who attempts to overcome his underprivileged background by using his superb tenor voice to join the New Orleans opera. This is where he meets, and falls, for the stunning soprano, Kathryn Grayson. Their musical harmonies are enjoyable and fun.

Other bonus features on the 2-DVD set include outtakes, vintage short films, cartoons, and comedy shorts.

Running Time: 255 minutes (approx.)

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