Serenade- Lanza's Life Was A Serenade & O So Beautiful ****

edwagreen

By far, Mario Lanza's greatest film. He really showed that he could do some fine acting here in addition to his phenomenal operatic voice.

A temperamental opera singer, who falls under the spell of Joan Fontaine, a wealthy patron of the arts, but in reality a Jezebel if ever there were. For a change, Vincent Price projects no evil and that is why his performance is rather restrained.

Here is the story of a man who threw away a career for the love of a temptress, who would go from man to man. It's the story of the wealthy woman who just doesn't know what she wants out of life. Described best by Harry Bellaver, who was so good as Georgie the year before in "Love Me or Leave Me.," as a tramp.

The picture reveals that salvation is achieved by going back to the land and working on it and meeting the love of his life.

I vividly remember when "Serenade" played at the Radio City Music Hall. Those were the years of quality films, not most of the garbage we have today.

score 10/10

edwagreen 21 July 2010

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw2283143/