FOR THE FIRST TIME
US, 1959, 97 minutes, Colour.
Mario Lanza, Johanna von Koezian, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Kurt Kasnar.
Directed by Rudolph Mate.
For the First Time is a pleasant, though not memorable, Mario Lanza vehicle. It was his last film. MGM have given him lavish production values - European settings, especially Capri. They have provided him with excerpts front various operas including a grand finale Aida. He also has some popular songs.
Zsa Zsa Gabor acts, more or less as herself, and Kurt Kasznar is a worried entrepreneur. The film introduces Johanna von Koezian - who appears as an attractive heroine who is deaf. In one of those sentimental scenes, she recovers her hearing after an operation as Mario Lanza sings 'Ave Maria'. Direction is by Rudolph Mate, former European photographer, who moved into direction mainly of B-budget thrillers and actioners. For Mario Lanza fans.
1. An entertaining and colourful musical? Mario Lanza vehicle?
2. The use of Technirama, European locations, colourful sequences, musical and operatic excerpts?
3. The title and its indication of romance - especially for Krista? For Tony?
4. The portrait of the opera star - wilful, not turning up for performances, singing to crowds in the rain, hiding from the press, clashing with Gloria, with his manager? The presence on Capri, attracted towards Krista after humiliating her in the crowd, buying the flowers, meeting her family and the entourage? At home in Capri? His wanting to marry her, performing the operas to raise the money, the operation, singing 'Ave Maria' as she heard again? The whirlwind tour, the rain and her chill, losing her hearing, his drinking and causing the brawl, the support of his friends in the court, the encounters with Gloria - and her coming to testify for him? Krista's recovery - and the happy ending? A Mario Lanza hero?
5. Krista and her uncle, presence in Capri, the background of the war, her deafness, the trouble in the street, Tony and the flowers, Matilda and the goat, the household, her falling in love and weeping, the operation and its success, 'Ave Maria' and her hearing, the happy tour with Tony, her chill and loss of hearing, the happy ending?
6. Zsa Zsa Gabor as the aristocratic European Countess - with her brassy style yet suave manner, her attraction towards men, her survival?
7. The Bruckner family and their support of Krista? Tony's manager and his helping him, fights, reconciliation? Allesandro and Angelo and their friendship, the brawl in the tavern and the court case? Their friendship?
8. The world of international American stars, performances, the press, society? The opera excerpts as an added attraction to the film?
9. This style of popular entertainment of the '50s?
