For the First Time (1959)

Director:

Rudolph Maté

Writer:

Andrew Solt

Stars:

Mario Lanza, Johanna von Koczian, Kurt Kasznar

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Mario Lanza	...	Tonio Costa
Johanna von Koczian	...	Christa
Kurt Kasznar	...	Ladislas Tabory
Hans Söhnker	...	Prof. Bruckner (as Hans Sonker)
Annie Rosar	...	Mathilde Faktotum
Sandro Giglio	...	Alessandro
Walter Rilla	...	Dr. Bessart
Renzo Cesana	...	Angelo
Peter Capell	...	Leopold Hübner
Gisella Mathews
Michael Cosmo	...	Aldo
Carlo Rizzo
John Stein
Manfred Schaeffer	...	(as Manfred Schaffer)
Zsa Zsa Gabor	...	Gloria De Vadnuz

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

opera | deaf | deafness | operation | opera singer

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Genres:

Musical

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA West Germany Italy

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 August 1959 (USA)

Also Known As:

Serenade einer großen Liebe

Filming Locations:

Isle of Capri, Naples, Campania, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Corona Filmproduktion, Orion Films, Titanus

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"The Bavarian's Beer Song"
(uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Karl Bette

User Reviews

Songfest

This MGM film showcases the great Mario Lanza, whose untimely death came right after this film was completed. It's a vehicle for the star, who had one of the most powerful tenor voices in the cinema. As such, "For the First Time" is an excuse to present its star in different European settings in a picture that is more of a travelogue than a musical.

Rudolph Mate directed with an eye for the backgrounds being shown. We are taken to that magical island of Capri, then to Salzburg, among other places that go by too quickly. The DVD we watched had a faded look, and one can only guess the original copy had glorious colors.

Mario Lanza plays an opera singer who goes to Capri to stay away from the scandal he caused at the Vienna Opera house for not showing for a performance, when in reality, he was outside entertaining the people that couldn't get inside. In Capri he meets sweet Christa, who happens to be deaf. They fall in love and she will not marry him unless she can hear him. Naturally, like in all fairy tales, everything comes true and everyone is happy at the end.

Mario Lanza has some good moments in the film. He sings arias from Pagliacci, Aida and Othelo, as well as the theme song, "Come prima", in his usual style. Johanna Von Koczian is seen as Christa, the sweet girl who conquers Tonio Costa's heart. Kurt Kasznar plays Tonio's agent.

This is a happy film without any pretensions. It's not Mr. Lanza's best film, but for all his fans it will be something to savor.