American Caruso (1995)

Mario Lanza did more to bring classical music and opera to the masses through the popular art of movies than anyone else. His unique tenor voice was known to millions through such hit films as The Great Caruso and The Toast of New Orleans, and on such chart-topping records as "Be My Love." The chubby "singing truck driver" from Philadelphia became a Hollywood legend, only to be destroyed by his own excess. In a brief twelve years, Lanza went from being a star to an overeating has-been. He died tragicaly at the age 38 alone and near penniless in a diet clinic under mysterious circumstances. Through clips of his popular recordings, and from interviews his story is now told. This revealing video profile presents the highs and lows of this remarkable performer. Video hosted by Placido Domingo. 1983, color, 70 minutes.

MARIO LANZA BIOGRAPHY

THIS IS A GREAT TRIBUTE TO MARIO LANZA. THE VIDEO WAS MADE IN THE 1980'S AND IS NARRATED BY PLACIDO DOMINGO. VARIOUS FRIEND AND COLLEGUES COMMENT ON LANZA'S LIFE AND TRIBULATIONS. IT IS A FUN AND INTERESTING VIDEO. MANY CLIPS, AND CO STARS. August 17, 2008

American Caruso

The DVD was a gift for my husband who is highly delighted with the quality of the exerpts and the links . Thank you also for the swift delivery - it arrived on his birthday - some days earlier than was expected. January 18, 2007

The American Lanza Was Great - That Is More Than Enough

Why this ongoing nonsense about a this or that Caruso? Enrico Caruso was unquestionably great. He was also unique. This frenzy to tag other tenors as the German Caruso (Tauber, or some other German or Austrian? Nothing of the kind, but great enough in his own right); the Romanian Caruso (Schmidt - again, unique and a splendid artist); the Polish Caruso (Kiepura - terrific on film, if sometimes perhaps less so on records) - the list goes boringly on and on.

Caruso was great and unique; and so, despite the stubborn or prejudiced or deaf or silly critics, was Lanza. They both left many wonderful recordings, and Lanza at least also was fortunate enough to live when good quality sound film technology was available, so thanks to technology we may enjoy his legacy perhaps even more than that of the great Neopolitan. January 11, 2007

Magnificent!

Considering the subject matter, how could it be less than magnificent? Although he left us much too soon, that was not his choice nor ours. However, look at all he left behind - not only his own accomplishments, but the inspiration for future generations. This DVD presents his immense talents and his human frailties. He was loved for both. January 9, 2007

An irrelevant bit of fluff

Mario Lanza had an amazing voice and a tragic life and career. By all rights, his story should make for a fascinating video. Unfortunately, this effort is laughably inadequate and is nothing more than a poorly arranged pastiche of isolated facts, interviews and sound bites that do little to enshrine Lanza's talent or illuminate his life. Indeed, the viewer unfamiliar with Lanza'a biography would be little enlightened by the thin patchwork of loosely woven information presented here. Placido Domingo's ridiculous buffon hair style and comic accent serve only to enhance the aburdity of this production.

The only positive aspects of this video are the all too brief selections from Lanza's films, none of which, amazingly, have been released on DVD. The public would have been better served by new releases of Lanza's films. For now, we can be content with the many existing vocal recordings that are available on CD.

February 15, 2006

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