Product Details

• Actors: Mario Lanza, Ann Blyth, Dorothy Kirsten, Jarmila Novotna, Richard Hageman
• Directors: Richard Thorpe
• Writers: Dorothy Caruso, William Ludwig
• Producers: Jesse L. Lasky, Joe Pasternak
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Original recording remastered, NTSC
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Warner)
• VHS Release Date: December 4, 1992
• Run Time: 109 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302962048
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,200 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the great Lanza, March 20, 2001

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Great Caruso [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Made in 1951, this bio of the legendary Enrico Caruso is a treat for opera lovers. Though the script and acting are on the corny side, it's thoroughly enjoyable, and a wonderful filmed record of Mario Lanza, in top form, singing a wide variety of music.

There are scenes that will delight, some are brief, and some are of the complete aria, from the temple scene in "Aida" to a terrific "Vesti la Giubba"...my favorites are the "Rigoletto" quartet, and the "Lucia" sextet. Amazing music, beautifully performed.

Dorothy Kirsten acts and sings the soprano parts well, and Ann Blyth, who plays his wife, gets her turn to sing with "The Loveliest Night of the Year".

This is a film I rent every once in a while, and like more with each viewing. Lanza's voice was extraordinary, though his talent was misused and abused by Hollywood, and scorned by the "purists", who ruled the opera world in those days. How times have changed. There is hardly a great singer today who hasn't made a "pop" recording. Lanza's voice lives on, perhaps appreciated in the truest sense as a singer more now, than in the '50's when he was a "star".

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mario Lanza at his Best, May 13, 2002

By 

Beverly J. Scott "Author and avid reader" (Ankeny, IA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Caruso [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Mario Lanza displays his supurb talent in this music filled video and if you aren't already a fan "The Great Caruso" will make you one. The musical selections in this video are unsurpassed. A video you will watch over and over.
Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lanza, still the best!, January 1, 2002

By 

Sara A. Rager (Charleston, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Caruso [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I have been in love with this movie since first seeing it in the theater when I was a child. I am watching it again today, and it is still very good. I am moved by his singing like no one else's. The movie has so many musical numbers, it is wonderful. I just wonder why there was never a sound track from the movie, at least I have never been able to find it. The Ava Maria number still brings tears to my eyes!