For the First Time

Having fallen for the deaf Christa (Johanna von Koczian) while hiding out on the Isle Of Capri, opera star Tony (Mario Lanza) is persuaded by her friend to favor her wedding with the turn-of-the-century Neapolitan song, in Lanza’s last film, the German-Italian co-production For The First Time, 1959.

Meaning to be incognito on the Isle Of Capri (on the genuine location), free-spirit opera singer Tony (Mario Lanza) is mobbed by fans (the blonde is the German model Nico, later of The Velvet Underground), offering a translated Italian pop hit, and intrigued by the unmoved Johanna von Koczian, in For The First Time, 1959.

Rudolph Matè directing at the Rome Opera House, Kurt Krasznar the bothered manager, Zsa Zsa Gabor regal in the audience, and Mario Lanza introduced, in his last movie, as singer Tonino, offering the Verdi aria from Rigoletto for fans who couldn’t afford seats, in For The First Time, 1959.

In his last movie, Mario Lanza sings opera hits while romancing a woman who is deaf in For The First Time (1959).