That Midnight Kiss

Director: Norman Taurog Norman Taurog

Overview

That Midnight Kiss served to introduce the film-going public to MGM's newest singing sensation, Mario Lanza. Just as he did with Deanna Durbin at Universal, producer Joe Pasternak removes the "stuffy" onus attached to classical music by presenting Lanza as a down-to-earth truck driver named Johnny Donetti. When it turns out that Johnny has a splendid singing voice, he gets a minor job at the Philadelphia opera company sponsored by aristocratic Abigail Trent Budell (Ethel Barrymore). Abigail's granddaughter Prudence (Kathryn Grayson) is instrumental in bringing Johnny to public attention by insisting that he replace the opera troupe's defecting star tenor. Featured in the cast are Keenan Wynn as Lanza's best pal, J. Carroll Naish as his "Whatsa matta you?" Italian father, and MGM's resident musical genius Jose Iturbi as himself. That Midnight Kiss served its purpose by transforming the relatively unknown Mario Lanza into a box-office champion.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/13/2018
UPC:	0888574627812
Original Release:	1949
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono, Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:37:00
Sales rank:	34,757

Special Features

One Love of Mine" Outtake; Pete Smith Specialty Comedy Short Sports Oddities; Classic Cartoon Señor Droopy; Theatrical Trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Mario Lanza	Johnny Donnetti
Kathryn Grayson	Prudence Budell
Ethel Barrymore	Abigail Trent Budell
Jose Iturbi	Jose Iturbi,Herself
Keenan Wynn	Artie Glenson
J. Carrol Naish	Papa Donnetti
Jules Munshin	Michael Pemberton
Thomas Gomez	Guido Betelli
Marjorie Reynolds	Mary
Arthur Treacher	Hutchins
Mimi Aguglia	Mama Donnetti
Bridget Carr	Donna
Amparo Ballester	Rosina
Ann Codee	Mme. Bouget
Edward Earle	Jason
George Meader	Paul
Sheila Stein	Peanuts

Technical Credits

Tamara Hovey

Bruce Manning

Norman Taurog	Director
Tamara Hovey	Screenwriter
Bruce Manning	Screenwriter
Joe Pasternak	Producer

Editorial Reviews

That Midnight Kiss launched the film career of operatic tenor Mario Lanza in a big way, despite the fact that the plot, as flimsy as it is, is borrowed from dozens of other films. The most notable is Forty-Second Street, and that should tell any viewer familiar with the film all they need to know about the story and whether they are going to be able to sit through its trite predictability and unimaginative dialogue to enjoy the parade of musical numbers. Lanza is probably an acquired taste to modern audiences; if his acting is not quite as stiff as many other opera stars, it still is not as pliable as it needs to be to come across as an ordinary Joe who just happens to have a professionally trained voice. His singing is also a matter of taste, although it must be said that he is in perhaps his finest voice in Kiss. Kathryn Grayson also sounds quite good and she does the best she can with the schmaltzy script. The stars are given a sumptuous production, with lavish sets and costumes and musical arrangements that point out their assets very well. The supporting cast, with the likes of Ethel Barrymore and Keenan Wynn, are overqualified for their roles, but they don't let that stop them from turning in very fine performances. If That Midnight Kiss is less than a great musical, it does do a good job of giving "legit" lovers a chance to revel in some "grand" singing.