User Reviews

By the time Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer started Mario Lanza in his fourth film, the formula was wearing thin. In That Midnight Kiss, he was an opera singing truckdriver. In The Toast of New Orleans, he was an opera singing fisherman. And in The Great Caruso he was, the greatest opera singer of all. Now he was going to be cast as an opera singer drafted into the army.

So you can understand that Mario was feeling in a bit of a career rut. Why he wasn't cast in some of the classic musicals and operettas of old is beyond me. So despite the fact that the title song became a big hit for him, Mr. Lanza was unhappy.

He set records for binging on food, on liquor, on women that outstripped even what Mario previously did. Looking at some of the scenes filmed out of sequence you can see how his weight went up and down. Reportedly he behaved so outrageously to co-star Doretta Morrow that she up and quit Hollywood and never returned.

That was a pity because Ms. Morrow was certainly a great talent in her own right. She had just come off playing Tuptim on Broadway in The King and I and would soon go back to Broadway in Kismet.

Despite that Doretta and Mario made some beautiful music together. Especially with the title song and Doretta sings a beautiful version of Cole Porter's You Do Something to Me.

I actually rather liked the premise of this film. Mario Lanza, opera star gets drafted into the army where by the merest of chance he gets an opera loving sergeant James Whitmore who has an aspiring singer for a sister. That would be Ms. Morrow.

Put them together with a whole lot of situations that come up in military service comedies and you have Because You're Mine.

It's not a bad film, not particularly great. But a rut is a rut is a rut.

With Kathryn Grayson refusing to work with him again, Mario Lanza has a new leading lady in "Because You're Mine," a 1952 film which also stars Doretta Morrow, James Whitmore, Paula Corday, Jeff Donnell, and Spring Byington. Lanza is a great opera star, Renaldo Rossano, who gets drafted into the army. Fortunately for him, his commanding officer, Sgt. Batterson (Whitmore) is a fan, so Rossano has it pretty easy. Batterson is also trying to promote his sister as a singer. Renaldo falls for her. His prima donna back at the opera house (Paula Corday) will have something to say about that.

Broadway star Doretta Morrow is perky, and while not as pretty as Grayson, sings beautifully. Lanza was not very nice to her - that's putting it mildly - but apparently eventually apologized. Unhappy making this film after his triumphant "The Great Caruso," Lanza gained weight throughout the film so he's trim in one scene and chunky the next. It's a shame he felt that way - the film is pleasant enough, and he sings like a dream, doing a segment from "Il Trovatore," the "Addio" from "Rigoletto," the end of "Cavalleria Rusticana," the "Our Father," the title song, "Because You're Mine," and a very impressive "Granada." Not only does he impress with his glorious high notes, he does some very lyrical and soft singing as well.

James Whitmore moves into the comedy of his role easily, and Spring Byington is delightful as a general's wife who needs Renaldo to sing at a reception.

Very pleasant and a must for opera and Lanza fans.

Some people think that this is the best of Mario Lanza's 10 film appearances. It actually had a good story behind it.

Lanza plays an Elvis-type role (G.I. Blues) as he goes into the Army. He hits the jackpot immediately as his drill sergeant is a big fan, and he also wants to get his sister on stage. Lanza, of course, falls for the sister, Doretta Morrow, in her only movie role.

Their duet, Because You're Mine, was nominated for an Oscar, but lost to High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin').

It was a good story of love found, lost, and found again, with a bucket-load of Lanza songs.

This formula pic, while being one of Lanza's lamer projects, includes some impressive soundtrack renderings.

It's amusing to see how he manages to first be drafted at all (stretching age limits) then sail through basic training with a breeze, intoning ballads through boot camp.

From his real-life mom's requesting an autograph as he stands in recruit formation at train station, to his sergeant's begging same immediately upon entering barracks, this script's a hoot.

His fellow privates (while mildly ribbing him) quickly accept his "in with brass" status, as our hero's placed in charge of trainees, crooning Brahms melodies in sergeant's quarters, belting out Italian arias while riding a truck, and even traveling to New York for a recording session.

However, this is a quite special branch of the military--MGM Division to be exact--and everything yields to the song cue (could Joe Pasternak be Commander in Chief?)

Fun to see James Whitmore having a good time in a somewhat comedic, Keenyn Wynn type role. Spring Byington's sprightly as ever and Doretta Morrow's serviceable as love interest, with her light soprano being as pleasant here as in her Broadway work of "Kismet."

Interesting, too, to see Mario bouncing between 80-pounds-plus-minus (entering a chapel in uniform fairly slim and next walking down aisle wearing what looks like a tent).

Vocally the production's strong, with a consistently forceful approach. Lanza looks like this isn't exactly a labor of love, with his reactions appearing more dutiful than inspired.

He'd go on from this to render some of his most endearing work for the soundtrack of "The Student Prince." Like a comet that flashes briefly across the heavens, Lanza was a phenomenon of his particular time that entertained and uplifted millions for a few short seasons.

The studio's effort to cram in a piece exploiting Lanza's success in THE GREAT CARUSO before his promised fine (if unfaithful reduction of) STUDENT PRINCE, this film today is chiefly of interest for one of the too few opportunities to see the great Doretta Morrow and the last of Lanza appearing rather than merely dubbing on screen. It is well WORTH seeing, but could have been so much more.

Lanza was starting the uncontrolled fluctuation of weight which ultimately resulted in Edmond Purdom playing the student prince (with Lanza's singing voice) and his resulting (continuing?) insecurity affected his treatment of all around him. Morrow had the chance to do the film because Lanza's last leading lady refused to work with him again. On the weight front - when not an actual medical problem, frequently the outlet for emotional problems - we wouldn't see the like (a film lead's weight appearing to fluctuate drastically within a scene) until 25 years later when Elizabeth Taylor filmed A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC in 1977.

Just as bad, the studio hair, make-up and design departments did everything in their considerable power to hide Morrow's remarkable light under a bushel. Seek out her televised appearance opposite Alfred Drake in THE ADVENTURES OF MARCO POLO (Drake and Morrow had wanted to televise their original Broadway KISMET roles, but the studio had the rights tied up for lesser talents): Morrow's was a beauty and voice considerably superior to any of Lanza's other screen leading ladies!

Despite these severe handicaps the film, silly post-war plot (singing soldier falls for his sergeant's sister) and all, remains entertaining even if less than great art. It's a pity that we can only now get it in a *burned* DVD from Warner Archives (after an initial VHS release), but we'll be thankful for what we can get - even while noting the commercial doublethink. Warner Brothers doesn't think the film well sell well enough to justify a full (more permanent) *pressed* release, but heavily "copyblocks" the DVDs they do put out to try to make it harder for purchasers to share the disc if Warners' takes it out of print again.

The greatest tenor of the 20th century was right when he tried to run away from this picture. The studio was wrong to make him do it, on the false promise that he would then be able to star in "The Student Prince" (which he ended up dubbing). Following Mario Lanza's triumphant role in Caruso, came this lame script that put Caruso's successor in the Army. One of the only real highlights of this movie is Lanza singing "Granada." Doretta Morrow's career appears to have peaked during her duet with Lanza on the title song., and the great dancer Bobby Van is great in a dance number that seems apropos of nothing. Note that the old couple at the railroad station who ask Lanza for his autograph are his real-life parents.

Mario Lanza rose from modest beginnings to be a world class superstar with legions of fans and tributes from every corner. But he disappeared too quickly, the victim of large appetites and, perhaps, self-doubt. As a result, he appears in only seven credited film performances. So each performance feels like a gem that should be appreciated for its rarity.

In this film, he is drafted into the army. His sergeant (James Whitmore) has a sister (Doretta Morrow) who can really sing, naturally, and they fall in love.

Film performances by Doretta Morrow are even rarer. This is her only big screen role. It seems a shame, because she has a fantastic voice. However there is not much chemistry between the two leads.

Lanza is in fine voice here, so despite the shortcomings of the script or the acting, this film is enjoyable. It features a soundtrack full of both popular and operatic songs, including Lanza's rendition of "The Lord's Prayer" and the title duet by Lanza and Morrow.

James Whitmore holds the story together with his energy and enthusiasm.

Because You're Mine is a little disappointing after The Great Caruso, Mario Lanza's best film and one that was even better on re-watch(even if it wasn't perfect either), but it still has many fine merits.

The music and Lanza's singing are particularly good here. The operatic excerpts from Il Trovatore, Rigoletto, L'Africaine and Cavalleria Rusticana are masterpieces in themselves, and there's also a great rendition of Granada, the charming duet Because You're Mine and the welcome reappearance of Be My Love. Lanza is in sensational voice, his vocal production sounding easy and with a bright ring and he sings with sensitive phrasing and a good range of musicality, even if the emotion doesn't translate in his acting skills his singing has it aplenty. Because You're Mine looks absolutely glorious, being shot in lavish Technicolour while the sets are colourful and the costumes filled with charm. In supporting roles, a very funny and charming James Whitmore and sparkling Spring Byington stand out.

Doretta Morrow, apart from singing beautifully, is a less-than-winning partner for Lanza. She looks miserable and displays no chemistry with Lanza, the two hated each other and it shows in a chemistry that is even colder than that between Lanza and Kathryn Grayson in The Toast from New Orleans. While Lanza's singing is superb, his acting is some of his stiffest and least natural-looking for any of his films, his comic timing is very flat and somewhat heavy, and when he does try to be funny it comes over as forced. To be honest, the way some of the comedy is written here doesn't help matters either; it sparkles with Whitmore and Byington but is very obvious and banal with Lanza and everybody else. The story is wafer-thin and painfully predictable, even for a film starring Lanza, lacks crispness pace-wise and also lays it rather thick with the schmaltz. And while Bobby Van's dance routine was very winningly danced and niftily choreographed, it served no point to the story and had little reason, if any at all, for being there.

In summary, worth seeing for the music and Lanza, but a let-down after The Great Caruso and one of his weaker films overall. 5.5/10 Bethany Cox

An afternoon of complete JOY hearing Mario Lanza singing....also and an extra in hearing Doretta Morrow. Lanza's Granada was electrifying. One of the nice extras of retirement is being able to enjoy the afternoon or evening in such heavenly company.

The total music in this movie is superb. Anyone who enjoys music no matter what age should enjoy Lanza's movies. They should be a teaching tool for singers and musicians of all ages. Today we are not teaching our children to appreciate fine music and to enjoy listening and learning about what it means to the heart and soul. Truly these movies are masterpieces of art and should be treated as such.

Rose Clary

This movie has a LOT of songs. A lot. There are a few operatic excerpts, but most of it is pop songs, some evidently written for Lanza. He sings them well, *The Lord's Prayer* and *Grenada* in particular. That was the best part of the movie for me, indeed the only reason for sticking with it to the end.

Pretty much everything else is a waste of time.

The plot, about a draftee who is given special privileges because of his musical talent, was nothing new even then. The love story, between Lanza and Broadway musical star Doretta Morrow, is cliched and not interesting because it isn't well written and there really isn't any chemistry between the two. When Lanza starts telling her that he loves her, she doesn't believe it - and neither did I.

Morrow is the real problem in this movie for me. I realize that she was a star on Broadway - she left the original run of *The King and I* to appear in this movie - but here she has no personality, and her voice sounds very weak. Compared to her, at least here, Kathryn Grayson, with whom Lanza had done two previous movies, sounded like Kirsten Flagstad or Helen Traubel. Morrow has almost nothing to sing in this movie, which is good but also strange. Is it possible that, after having put this movie together, MGM decided that she just wasn't going to work? She never made another feature film. Her one real solo here, Cole Porter's "You Do Something to Me", is the slowest I've ever heard, and completely lacking in charm.

I had other problems with this movie as well.

Early on, we see Lanza perform the last scene in *Cavalleria rusticana" in a staged production. His singing is ok, but the acting and staging are awful, corn from Kansas. Anyone's worst idea of what opera might be like. Why it was directed this way, and why Lanza performed it this way, I have no idea.

The title song, which was nominated for an Oscar, also bothered me. Apart from being uninteresting, it's a pretty obvious rip-off of a much better song, Vincent Youmans' *Without a song*. (I'm listening to it now, to refresh my memory. It is a MUCH better song.)

So, in sum, I'd say skip this movie, even if you love Mario Lanza's singing. You can hear him on YouTube.

After the triumph of "The Great Caruso" in 1951, Lanza was all set to start work on "The Student Prince." MGM had other ideas and wanted to exploit his more popular image. When they approached him, his response was "You cannot put Caruso in the army!" He was persuaded eventually to start on "Because You're Mine" with the dangling carrot of Student Prince promised next in line. He did not like the script, or his co-star, who constantly smoked and was considered by him to be unsuitable, because of her limited experience and he also put on weight at an alarming rate, so that costumes had to be remade or altered almost daily, to accomodate his fluctuating size. This is all too apparent in some scenes, when he walks in slim and walks out again at least 40 pounds heavier. It was his way of rebelling against the system. Once completed, it was chosen as the 1952 Royal Command film in U.K. but the critics panned it. O.K. the plot is thin, the acting dated, but the voice - wow - that voice. He was truly on top form and the soundtrack and studio recordings of the songs from the film are still great favourites today. Just listen to "The Lord's Prayer" to see what I mean. Not a favourite film of mine, but I watch just for the voice and memories of a bygone era.

Because You're Mine was Mario Lanza's fourth movie, and was much criticised on its release as artistically a step backwards for the celebrated tenor. Certainly, coming straight after The Great Caruso it suffers badly in comparison with that considerable achievement, but is Because You're Mine really THAT bad?

Actually, this is a fun movie. It lacks the polish of That Midnight Kiss and the sheer high spirits of Toast of New Orleans, but vocally at least this film has more going for it than either of those two movies. Highlights include a definitive Granada (in a key one and a half tones higher than the Three Tenors have ever dared to attempt!), a moving Lord's Prayer and several pleasing operatic and popular selections. My only regret is that All the Things You Are was inexplicably cut from the movie. One of Lanza's loveliest recordings, it was recently restored on the Mario Lanza at MGM soundtrack CD released by Rhino.

The film also boasts a fine co-star in James Whitmore, who provides much of the movie's comic relief, and a pleasant leading lady in Doretta Morrow of the Broadway Kismet fame. She's no great shakes as a singer, but then - unlike Kathryn Grayson in the earlier movies - she isn't meant to be.

Lanza hated making this movie, and did his best to sabotage it, gaining a huge amount of weight in the vain hope that this would discourage the producers from going ahead with it. As a result, Lanza's weight varies from 240 pounds to 159 pounds (often in successive scenes), a distracting but intriguing sight.

But none of this need detract from your enjoyment of a pleasant movie that includes some agreeable singing from the finest tenor of his generation. And you can always watch Serenade (Lanza's next movie) straight after it for a reminder of what this man could do with a much meatier tale.

Lightweight perhaps, but pretty enjoyable, "Because You're Mine" was reportedly a film that Mario Lanza didn't like making but there is no sign of this in his performance. Lanza's character is inducted into the army, which sets up a career conflict with his opera singing, to say the least! Fortunately his sergeant is an opera fan and is instrumental to getting him to a gig or two plus introducing him to his sister (Doretta Morrow). This sets the scene for some romantic singing plus some blockbuster performances to larger audiences. The plot rehashes some situations in Lanza's life and earlier films, but it's all done with vim and a witty script. James Whitmore is good value as the sergeant with the rubber face. I can't say how glad I am that this film lacks J. Carroll Naish as a hammy Italian! I've got a soft spot for Bobby Van and he gets some dancing in. The singing is wonderful especially the delivery of "Granada" with all Lanza's famed vocal soaring, delivered with expressive hand gestures, dramatically changing facial expressions and eye flashes. A feel-good movie in the best way.

If anyone will notice, That Midnight Kiss and The Toast of New Orleans was the same movie with the same plot with maybe a change of characters. For instance, instead of Ethel Barrymore, we've got a male actor playing about the same thing that she did in Kiss, and there's still that Kathryn Grayson doesn't like Mario Lanza and Mario Lanza playing the brash singer. Same movie, same plot, same characters. So, along later comes Because You're Mine which is very entertaining without all that operatic music. Personally, I didn't care for The Great Caruso, although it's a odd thing that on the day that Caruso died, Mario Lanza was born. Now, I'm not saying that Mario Lanza was Caruso reincarnated, but it is a bit unusual that knowing this, Lanza played Caruso on the screen. It is probable that his family knew this and told this to him many times!

So, in Because You're Mine, you've got a great cast, great music with Mario Lanza singing Granada at the end of the movie looking like he was poured into his Army uniform which made him look a little larger than the uniform with the button about to pop, but we forgave him. Come on gang - this is Mario Lanza!

Now, we've got one problem with this movie. It's not a big problem but it's Doretta Morrow. Sure she can sing, beautifully, and she cat too. Well, no wonder. She was in the original Broadway cast of Kismet playing Marsinah in which Ann Blyth played the role in the movie version, but you couldn't see it on the stage, but Ms. Morrow always looked cross eyed on the screen, and after Lanza making a hit in Caruso singing Be My Love - did she really have too? At least they had the good sense not to make it a duet between here and Lanza.

So, when you come right down to it, the movie is very entertaining. Probably Mario Lana's best. He never sang better. And why isn't Kathryn Grayson in this movie instead of Doretta Morrow? Well, quite frankly, she and Mario Lanza did not like each other. In their two movies together, especially That Midnight Kiss, you could see something going on with her feelings for him, but they never made a match. Maybe she was personally afraid of him. Who knows? But there were a great singing team. It's a shame that they never made more movies together, but that was never to be! Once again, it's just a shame that movies like this cannot be seen on the big movie theater screen. That big screen makes the difference. Ask anyone who's recently seen The Wizard of Oz for the first time in a movie theater, or even one of you out there - then you'll know what I mean!

Lanza's character is inducted into the Army and undergoes basic training, during a season in which the summer uniform was prescribed. Normal summer "Class A" uniform for a private would have been a long-sleeved cotton khaki shirt with tie (tucked in between second and third buttons of shirt) and matching trousers, heavily starched (but no jacket or blouse). As an option, purchased at their own cost and only authorized for off-duty purposes, enlisted men could purchase an officer's summer Class A uniform, comprising shirt and tie in a tropical worsted material, topped with a jacket. Perhaps ten senior NCOs ever did this, of course. They and Lanza's character: the jacket hides a multitude of sins (and fat rolls), so Lanza's buck private is the best dressed enlisted man in the lower 48 during most of his military scenes. And he often looks as if he could play two NFL line positions simultaneously!