atlasmb Philadelphia's own crooner, Mario Lanza, looks positively svelte in his real film debut. He also sounds as good as he ever will and shows his acting talents in this formulaic story of an amateur singer who longs for a big break in the opera world. It's a story not unlike Lanza's own.Jose Iturbi--MGM's resident maestro--is the impresario Lanza's character, Johnny Donnetti, seeks to impress, with the help of Kathryn Grayson.Whether one is a fan of opera or not, this is the film to watch to best appreciate Mario Lanza's film contributions and his leading man potentiality. The musical selections, including "They Didn't Believe Me", allow Lanza to demonstrate his ability to master both pop and classical songs.The romantic storyline is tepid and predictable. The comedic elements are tolerable distractions. Mario Lanza almost singlehandedly makes this production worth watching with his sterling presence.

Claudio Carvalho In Philadelphia, the soprano Prudence Budell (Kathryn Grayson) returns from Europe after a period of five years training in the best Europeans music schools. Her millionaire grandmother Abigail Trent Budell (Ethel Barrymore) sponsors an opera company under the command of the famous maestro Jose Iturbi to give a chance to Prudence to lead an opera. They hire the also famous tenor Guido Russino Betelli (Thomas Gomez), but Prudence does not feel comfortable with him on the stage. When Prudence accidentally sees the American-Italian truck driver Johnny Donnetti (Mario Lanza) singing opera, she convinces Jose Iturbi to give a chance to Johnny. They fall in love for each other, but when Prudence visits his work to tell that he will be hired, she meets Mary (Marjorie Reynolds) and she believes Johnny is in love of his colleague."That Midnight Kiss" is a delightful and naive musical and romantic comedy, and also the debut of Mario Lanza in the cinema industry. The classy story is predictable and is a great family entertainment with wonderful classic music and opera; has many funny moments and Kathryn Grayson and Mario Lanza show a magnificent chemistry. The DVD released in Brazil is re-mastered in Technicolor and 5.1 Dolby System. My vote is seven.Title (Brazil): "Aquele Beijo à Meia-Noite" ("That Midnight Kiss")

blanche-2 Mario Lanza made his film debut in "That Midnight Kiss" costarring Kathryn Grayson, Ethel Barrymore, Jose Iturbi, Keenan Wynn, Thomas Gomez, Marjorie Reynolds, and Jules Munshin. The script was tailor-made for Lanza, set in his home town of Philadelphia. It was this film that nearly ruined my own singing aspirations. My mother always thought that if I were really good, someone would discover me - I guess hauling a piano - the way that Lanza was in this film. Nevertheless, I put all that aside when I watched it.Johnny is a truck driver discovered testing out the piano he delivers to Abigail Budell (Barrymore), patron of the arts. She's just founded an opera company for the benefit of her daughter Prudence (Grayson). When the current tenor (Gomez) quits in a huff, Johnny steps in. He and Prudence are in love, but before either one of them can really act on it, Prudence is told by another woman (Marjorie Reynolds) that she wants to marry Johnny. How to get these two songbirds back together? "That Midnight Kiss" is a big budget, glossy MGM musical extravaganza and as such, it's delicious to watch and makes for joyful listening. Lanza, attractive and a natural before the cameras, really commercialized opera in the U.S. with his clarion tenor. His IMDb bios were obviously written by fans. Though he certainly had a fantastic voice, he was evidently hard to work with, especially for his female costars. Alcohol and crash dieting eventually made his heart give out while he was still in his thirties. Also, he had his own sound; in recordings, Caruso sounds much more baritone-y, though Lanza's IMDb bio claims the voices match. It's hard to know what Lanza's voice sounded like on the opera stage. People who heard him in person claim the voice was not very large. Nevertheless, it was perfect for film. Pretty and petite, Kathryn Grayson does a lovely job both in her acting and singing. Both singers shine in the more lyrical pieces sung outside Prudence's window and show their versatility. A side note - it's a little questionable what opera the company is doing - Grayson and Gomez sing a duet from "Lucia" in rehearsals, but the final product was in English and definitely NOT Donizetti! The rest of the cast is superb - Keenan Wynn has impeccable comic timing, and Jules Munshin is given some great bits throughout. Thomas Gomez is hilarious as the bombastic tenor Betelli. Ethel Barrymore is stately and classy as Prudence's grandmother. Iturbi, playing himself, is delightful and plays some beautiful piano. Celeste Aida and the Lucia duet were conducted at pretty swift tempi, as was the "Caro Nome" that Grayson starts to sing at the piano.Highly entertaining and recommended if you're a lover of classical music.

Boba_Fett1138 This is yet another MGM musical with a standard and predictable love-story that has all the familiar ingredients in it. It's one of those typical movies of which you already know how its going to end. From start till finish, nothing refreshing or unpredictable ever happens to be honest.However of course these sort of movies were made to simply entertain its audience. It's a fun romantic movie. You just sit back and enjoy it, without thinking too much about its story.This time the musical takes an operatic twist, which should delight the fans of it. I shall immediately admit that opera is not entirely my cup of tea. Never has been and never will be most likely. Still there was enough to enjoy for me, since the movie also wasn't made entirely in 'opera style'. The movie was good lighthearted, romantic fun to watch, even though it all was nothing too remarkable, refreshing or original all.The actors were cast for their signing voices and musical skills rather than their acting abilities but that however is fine and acceptable for a movie in this sort of genre. Their musical skills most certainly compensate enough for their acting skills! Mario Lanza was one of the most talented young singers of the last century who unfortunately died way too early. Ethel Barrymore also does what she can do best; play a character who lies most of the time in bed. None of the comical actors really work out in the movie, probably mainly because it doesn't blend in that well with the operatic elements of the movie, that are the most prominent present in the story.It's a worth seeing, charming movie. Don't expect anything too spectacular or original. Just sit back, enjoy and try not to think too much about the typical MGM musical formulaic story. It does not fail to entertain!7/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/