Product Details

• Actors: Kathryn Grayson, José Iturbi, Ethel Barrymore, Mario Lanza, Keenan Wynn
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English, German
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: December 11, 1992
• Run Time: 98 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302593336
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,443 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An auspicious debut, October 14, 2001

By 

DJ McGovern "Derek McGovern" (Busan, South Korea) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: That Midnight Kiss [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Mario Lanza makes a very confident screen debut with this movie. The scene in which he first appears - some 15 minutes into the film - is teasingly executed: we hear his voice (singing the Neapolitan classic, Mamma mia, Che Vo' Sape) as co-star Kathryn Grayson enters her home, and - with her (and our) interest aroused - the camera slowly pans to reveal his handsome presence. It's a great moment, helped by the fact that Lanza really does look terrific, especially in comparison with the portly stock tenor we have been watching only minutes earlier.

Lanza has some formidable acting talent to compete with in this movie. That he succeeds speaks volumes about the man's much-underrated acting ability. Appearing in the film are such seasoned veterans as Ethel Barrymore, J. Carroll Naish, Jules Munshin and Thomas Gomez (hilarious as the aforementioned portly tenor). Keenan Wynn is also on hand as Lanza's amusing buddy, and the film also boasts another big musical name: conductor/pianist Jose' Iturbi, who plays himself.

The film is fun, and very competently produced in the grand tradition of MGM musicals. Lanza doesn't have a great deal to sing, but among the highlights are a lyrical Celeste Aida (minus the recitative), the second half of Una Furtiva Lagrima, and Jerome Kern's They Didn't Believe, which is sung as a duet with Kathryn Grayson. MGM was clearly nervous about allowing Lanza too many "heavy" vocal offerings, but they were soon to rectify this with The Great Caruso, just two years later.

The critics were not especially kind to the film - or to the tenor's co-star, the established Miss Grayson - but most were in agreement that it was Lanza who made the picture worth seeing. This is what Newsweek Magazine had to say:

"Aside from Jose' Iturbi's music, virtually the only excuse for this one is Mario Lanza, a singer whose talents would be conspicuous even outside a film devoted to opera. He can act as well as sing. But his efforts in both directions are hampered by an inconsequential story which enmeshes him with Kathryn Grayson - a girl who neither sings nor acts in his league."

And from The New York Times:

"As for the budding Mr. Lanza, the opinion rendered of him by the sanguine Mr. Iturbi is good enough for us. "His voice," says Mr. Iturbi, 'has quality and warmth and he has a very nice personality.' Check."

All in all, then, That Midnight Kiss is an enjoyable romp with Lanza as its raison d'etre. If you enjoy this, check out The Toast of New Orleans for even more fun and a larger musical offering from the unforgettable tenor.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEGINNING OF GREATNESS, September 11, 2000

By 

Karl Hess (Sandy, Utah United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: That Midnight Kiss [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This was Mario Lanza's screen debut in what was to become a brilliant, although brief, career. His recordings for RCA and their resounding popularity have made him a musical legend. He won the hearts of millions with his rich and powerful tenor voice and his charismatic presence. He was an idol and inspiration for Placido Domingo and Jose Carerras. He is revered today as one of the greatest singers of our time.

His co-star is the lovely Kathryn Grayson, whose lyrical voice has thrilled us in a delightful array of screen musicals. In the film, Kathryn, an opera diva, is in search of a young, handsome tenor to replace the walrus-like, unpleasant person who currently shares billing with her. She finds her answer in the young Mario, but she is not prepared for the romantic complications that follow.

Among the musical highlights are Lanza's renditions of UNA FURTIVA LAGRIMA and CELESTE AIDA. Miss Grayson sings the beautiful CARA NOME and they duet with THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE ME and the film's showpiece, LOVE IS MUSIC. Jose Iturbi plays Chopin's stirring REVOLUTIONARY ETUDE.

Screen greats Ethel Barrymore, Keenan Wynn, J. Carrol Naish and Thomas Gomez add substance and interest to the story line. Filmed during the Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals. This film will delight music lovers of all ages.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Mario musical, May 4, 2003

By 

Rosella Ann Myles - See all my reviews

This review is from: That Midnight Kiss [VHS] (VHS Tape)

"That Midnight Kiss," is one of Mario's first and best films. It's so memorable. The lovely romance moving opera songs. It's a must see and hear film. Katheryn Grayson is lovlier then ever in it. They make a great couple. In my opinion it's one of Mario's best films. The costumes are colorful and a feast for the etyes. The scenery is delightful and the acting is good. Mario besides being a great singe rin my opinion is a first rate actor, and has great acting abilities, and this film proves it.