BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE

US, 1952, 103 minutes, Colour.
Mario Lanza, Doretta Morrow, James Whitmore, Dean Miller, Paula Corday, Jeff Donnell, Spring Byington.
Directed by Alexander Hall.

Because You're Mine is a pleasantly inconsequential Mario Lanza vehicle. It came after his initial success in That Midnight Kiss and The Toast of New Orleans and, especially, The Great Caruso. However, his career was not to be quite as successful as expected and he failed to present himself for making The Student Prince. His records, however, were used.

The film echoes the atmosphere of the early '50s, especially as regards the army and patriotism. There are some routine service characters. There is also an opera background. All in all, this provides Mario Lanza and his leading lady, Doretta Morrow, occasion to sing a number of popular songs and opera excerpts. The title song and 'Be My Love' are two of the highlights.

1. An entertaining musical? For Mario Lanza fans? A film of the early 1950s?

2. MGM production values: the star, the settings for the musical sequences, the army background? MGM polish and gloss?

3. The music: the title song, the other songs, the operatic excerpts? Mario Lanza's skill, popularity?

4. The story of the opera star and the Draft? The opening sequences and the men accepted or rejected by the army? Humour? The tough Sergeant, the narrow-minded officer, the henpecked General? The drafted men? Jealousy of the opera star, friendships?

5. Rinaldo and his opera success, work in the army, doing the favour for Bat, meeting Bridget, falling in love with her, singing together, arranging the audition, Francesca bad-mouthing him, the clash with the Sergeant, with Bridget, the fight, put in the cells, the meeting with the French General, the happy ending and reconciliation? A Hollywood hero?

6. Bridget as an attractive singer? Falling in love, disappointment with Rinaldo, the influence of his mother? Reconciliation?

7. Bat and his admiration for Rinaldo, helping him, the humour of the outings, the visit to Bridget, to Rinaldo's mother? The falling out? His hard attitude? General Loring and his hostility? Put in the brig? Reconciliation?

8. The humorous support of Pattie and her relationship with Bat? The prospect of Iceland? The General's wife and her getting her own way?

9. Francesca and her jealousy, Albert Foster and his entrepreneur work?

10. The musical interlude with Bobby Van doing his dancing turn?

11. The religious atmosphere with the service and Mario Lanza, singing the 'Our Father'?

12. The routines of the service comedies of the time? American-patriotism? The arts and the philistines? A musical for opera fans?