Customer Reviews

That Midnight Kiss / The Toast of New Orleans

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nothing really technical to say about these movies. If you love old films with their simple plot, and the sensational singing voice of Mario Lanza, then don't think twice about getting these rare collectibles. The film is exceptionally restored with vivid colors and crisp sound. If you like it, buy it!

These movies were so great. I remember seeing "Toast of New Orleans" when I was a very small girl. I fell in love with that handsome face and smile of Mario Lanza and I tried to sing like Kathryn Grayson for years. I hope to get all the Lanza movies. I will enjoy these for years to come.

That Midnight Kiss and The Toast of New Orleans take us back to a time in the history of film making that has never been equalled. Everything about these films seems to work. The stars were superb, and the costumes and sets were magnificent. The stories were light and frothy, and there were no real attempts to create "real" stories. The audiences happily suspended their disbelief, and were contnent to be carried away by the beauty and purity of the music. Kathryn Grayson and Mario Lanza were magnificent singers and were perhaps at their best in opera and operatic inspired music, a regular feature of films starring these two singers. We may well have been seeing the beginning od "crossover" music here. These films represent the best in production values of their day, and were made in 1949 and 1950 when the world was still expressing the joys of the early Post-War period. Definitely 5 star.

Toast of New Orleans

I had heard "Be My Love" for 20 years before I got the video. As a pre teen this voice was the most fantastic sound I has ever heard. It was several years later I got into opera and could appreciate the other things he sang. Italian songs are pretty melancholy for a kid.

Finally with the advent of video I got to see this delightful movie. Well supported with Niven, Nash, Rita Moreno and other character actors....and a marvelous dance sequence, the story bounces along enjoyably. The highlight for me was the Butterfly duet, as Pinkerton was one of only 2 operatic roles he sang, the other being Fenton.

That Midnight Kiss is not quite as well crafted and could use more Lanza singing.

The movie Serenade has some very good opera stagings of arias.

When MGM paired its star soprano Kathryn Grayson with newcomer tenor Mario Lanza, the studio got a vocal duo that ignited the screen and made operatic singing so exciting that even people who thought they hated opera rushed to the nearest theater to hear them. In their no-holds-barred solos and duets, Grayson and Lanza provided some of the most spine-tingling musical numbers ever caught on film. Just listen to "Love Is Music," the soaring duet that closes "That Midnight Kiss," or "Be My Love," their first duet in "Toast of New Orleans." Grayson sings at the top of her register, and Lanza prodigiously pours forth his magnificent tenor voice. The story lines of the two films are pure fluff, but listening to Grayson and Lanza join vocal forces for "Libiamo" from "La Traviata" and the Love Duet from "Madame Butterfly" is pure joy for anyone who loves great singing.

Even if you aren't a big Kathryn Grayson fan (I am not. I prefer Judy Garland) you will probably like "The Toast of New Orleans". It is a fun and enjoyable musical! Mario Lanza is a poor Cajun fisherman who, after hearing the famous opera star, Suzette (Kathryn Grayson) sing, decides to become an opera star himself. So he follows her back to New Orleans -Much to the disapproval and chagrin of Suzette. He ends up competing for her affections with her manager (David Niven). Need I tell you who wins?
Probably the most memorable number is their "Be My Love" duet.

This DVD is simply wonderful. I really hope we have the chance to buy the other Mario Lanza films.

Both DVD's are interesting,and colorfull. Mario Lanza, Kathryn Grayson's classical operetic abilities are supported by Jose'Iturbi's
Musical talent and exemplifies their outstanding ability in their music as well as their acting. Ethel Barrymore,and Keenan Wynn
are alway entertaining and are excellent actors.

Kathyrn Grayson pairs up perfectly with Mario Lanza to give a wonderful performance. The world needs more top quality musicals.

It was just what i wanted and was a new DVD in a plastic cover.