Mario Lanza - At the Movies, Review by Allen Pollack

MARIO LANZA AT THE MOVIES (Bygone Days BYD77059) contains a rich seam of songs recorded by the temperamental tenor (1921-1959) during his Hollywood tenure and beyond. A mixture of soundtrack and studio recreated songs/operatic areas range across the spectrum from his first film in 1949 - THAT

MIDNIGHT KISS (THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE ME) through its follow-up THE TOAST OF NEW ORLEANS (BE MY LOVE) and on to the box-office success of THE GREAT CARUSO (THE LOVELIEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR) and his ghost voice presence for the physically trim Edmund Purdom  in THE STUDENT PRINCE (SERENADE) before the inevitable destructive run-down despite a comeback in THE SEVEN HILLS OF ROME (COME DANCE WITH ME) and the ironically  titled last movie FOR THE FIRST TIME (ARRIVEDERCI ROME)i n 1959. I did miss the inclusion of THE TINA-LINA anda few others but this collection makes no claims as being comprehensive and succeeds as a welcome reminder of the star's rich vocal appeal that continues to cast its spell upon many who seek an operatic career.

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Allen Pollack - In Tune International