Serenade on DVD, Romance, Mario Lanza, Joan Fontaine

Serenade  Some might say that Mario Lanza was overweight and not in his best voice for this Movie, but that would be judging him by those factors alone. This in my opinion ironically is Lanza’s best Movie ever! Serenade is a very dramatic Movie with great performances from the likes of Joan Fontaine and in particular Sarita Montiel who really makes this Picture. Add this to the beautiful colourful backdrops and a haunting and dramatic score in the use of ‘Serenade’, and what you have is a cocktail for a fabulous Movie! For a two hour Film this could have been ‘over-long’ but in fact the two hours fly by as the whole is so absorbing.

This lush Masterpiece from 1956 is so under-rated as to never have been released on either Video or DVD in the United Kingdom – and only on Video for a limited period in the USA. If you want to own this Movie you’re going to have to be patient and hunt madly, but it will be well worth the time spent! And for those who’ve already seen it, they will want to own it also, and so you’ll have some pretty stiff competition in obtaining one of those scarce copies! If you haven’t seen it, then book yourself a night in when it is next shown on TV for a great piece of entertainment, and have the chocolates and wine at the ready for a good quality night’s viewing! This is a superb production – oh, and don’t forget the tissues! Simply magic.

Mario Lanza at his Best! Powerful and Magnificent!

I really enjoyed this movie. Mario Lanza's voice is so powerful and beautiful - the most emotionally charged voice I have ever listened to. He was God's gift to us with a beautiful powerful tenor voice. His 'Ave Maria' inspires even if you are an ardent Protestant. This man could sing beyond belief. Any one out there with a musical ear let him hear this man's voice - it will exalt you to the heavens.
 The story line is good and the acting okay. I found it thoroughly engaging and who could refuse to like this film when Vincent Price is in it. What a class act he is. Voice, presence, poise - this actor had it all. We will never hear a voice like Lanza again. The tenors of today are technically good but they have no heart, soul and emotion although they try very hard. My eyes are moist whenever Lanza sings it is so beautiful. What a joy to hear him sing. "And Flights of Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest"!