That Midnight Kiss / The Toast of New Orleans [Import]

Renowned Philadelphia-born singer Mario Lanza shines in a double bill. First, the semi-autobiographical "That Midnight Kiss" finds truck driver Johnny Donnetti (Lanza, in his feature debut) getting a chance to perform when a temperamental tenor walks out on an opera during rehearsal. Kathryn Grayson, José Iturbi, Keenan Wynn, and Ethel Barrymore also star; songs include "They Don’t Believe Me," "Santa Lucia," "Celeste Aida." Next, Mario is a Louisiana fisherman who rises from the docks to stardom on the stage, in "The Toast of New Orleans." Grayson, David Niven, Rita Moreno, J. Carrol Naish also star; the score includes arias from "Carmen," "Madama Butterfly," and "La Traviata," along with Lanza’s signature song, "Be My Love." 195 min. total.