Customer Reviews

Because You're Mine [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This was MGM superstar Mario Lanza's fourth film, in 1952, after which he and the studio parted company in a dispute over his participation in their upcoming film "The Student Prince." Lanza didn't care for the script of "Because You're Mine," which took his character of a world-famous opera tenor (what else! ) and drafts him into the U.S. Army, as a humble (well, not so) private. There are the usual Lanza romantic entanglements, notably with Doretta Morrow, and some good scenes with veteran character actor James Whitmore (of "Give 'em Hell, Harry" and, in recent years, Miracle Gro fame) as the opera-loving top Sergeant who makes a better man out of the tenor. What saves the film is a nice selection of songs, from the title song which became a big hit for Lanza, to opera arias, and the songs Mamma mia, Granada and the Lord's Prayer. Naturally, Mario sounds great. So, if you don't mind the unlikely plot, this can be a pleasant way to spend a few hours. Incidentally, one of my song-and-dance favorites, Bobby Van, is in it, too.

"Because You're mine" is packed full of fabulous music and although the story line is pure fantasy the movie as a whole is enjoyable and worth watching over and over just to hear the music. Lanza's "The Lords Prayer" was the best ever. To bad they don't make movies like this anymore. A real winner.
Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge

Mario Lanza is really good in this musical. It's entertaining and has lovely osngs like, "Because yOur Mine," and "The Lord's Prayer," beautifully. I think this film is neat and creative a good storyline as all of Mario's films have. Doretta Morrow is perfect a shis girlfriend, very attractive and lovely. It's well worth seeing and a must for any Mario Lanza fan.

A famous Italian American opera singer gets drafted days before he would have aged out of the 1950's era Selective Service system. He rapidly befriends a brusque, all-army drill sergeant (James Whitmore in very good form), falls for the sergeant's sister, gets shafted by his jealous ex, sings his way out of the brig, and kisses the girl. This movie should be as bad as Mario Lanza thought it was when he first read the script, but a number of factors save it as a fun, entertaining, even campy songfest. In descending order of interest, here are the factors:

1. The singing. Lanza is in great voice and sings a nice mash-up of operatic arias, Malotte's Lord's Prayer, Lara's Granada, and a few nice ballads written for the movie, including the title song. Doretta Morrow, his love interest, had just made a huge splash on Broadway, where she created the role of Tuptim in the original "King and I." Here she seems stiff, stilted, and not the least bit interested in Lanza, and her singing is strangely uninspired. There is also a nicely done Bobby Van dance number that's almost lost in the singing shuffle. Interestingly, The Lord's Prayer went over so well with audiences that, in his next film, Student Prince, in which Mario appeared only vocally, a similar hymn, "I'll Walk with God," was written into the score!

2. Mario's body weight. Mario lost weight throughout production, bottoming out at 159 during the final day of shooting. Since scenes are not shot in order, he sometimes appears trim in one scene and almost obese in the next. (The opening scene of the shirtless singer getting his physical exam as a draftee shows him at his slimmest, while he is huge when he sings The Lord's Prayer and also in the final scene of the movie.)

3. The story. The script is actually clever in a tongue in cheek fashion. Four excellent screen writers had a hand in it, and they inject a lot of fun to supply an excuse for the music. As in all Lanza movies, the acting props go to the splendid character actors who keep the plot moving and supply laughs and irony. Here the job is done well by the good guys, Whitmore and his ditsy but oddly wise girl friend played by (Miss) Jeff Donnell, and the villains, Don Porter and Rita Corday. Lanza always had a flair for comedy, and it comes through here as he nails the misfit role of opera singer turned army private.

I guess the best commendation one could give this movie is to say that Mario's singing is never better or more varied in any of his movies.

Not only is Mario in great voice, but he shows he is a find actor too. This is a true "family Picture"

No wonder i was amazed as a kid sitting on my mom's lap watching these movies. I knew there was magic in them...but what was that magic.
That Magic my friends is the signing talent from many of our great actors/
actreses from our past. I dont know them all by name but when i hear
Mario Lanza or Nelson Eddy or Jeanette Macdonald i kinda melt away.
I saw this movie multiple times during the last 40 years and for a movie
that Mario did not want to make...it turned out quite alright and fun
enought to want to see and hear it again and again.
Once again ...Bravo Mario Bravo...

This movie is without a doubt the most beautiful of Mr. Lanza's. The storyline and the singing are wonderful. The best part in the movie is "The Lord's Prayer" in the Chapel.I recommend watching this more than once.

Paid a lot for this one and put it into my dvd player and nothing but streaks of color. Not a scratch on disc and right out of sealed box. First bad one in over a year.

Mario Lanza is really good in this musical. It's entertaining and has lovely osngs like, "Because yOur Mine," and "The Lord's Prayer," beautifully. I think this film is neat and creative a good storyline as all of Mario's films have. Doretta Morrow is perfect a shis girlfriend, very attractive and lovely. It's well worth seeing and a must for any Mario lanza fan.

I'm on a Lanza kick and this is the 2nd one of his movies I've watched recently and thoroughly enjoyed. The varied musical selections are just wonderful and remind you of how great a singer he was.The film is funny too. It's a kick to see a tenor in the Army and how all those GI's enjoy opera!!! Think I'll watch Elvis' "G.I. Blues" next!!