The Great Caruso

1951
Approved
1h 49m

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

1.5K

YOUR RATING

Ann Blyth and Mario Lanza in The Great Caruso (1951)

This film traces the life of tenor Enrico Caruso (1873-1921). He loves Musetta, in his home town of Naples, and then Dorothy, the daughter of one of the Metropolitan Opera's patrons. Caruso is unacceptable to both women's fathers: to one, because he sings; to Dorothy's, because he is a peasant.

Play trailer2:59

1 Video

37 Photos

Biography Drama Music Mystery Romance

The film explores the life of tenor Enrico Caruso, a vocalist who faces rejection from Musetta and Dorothy, and struggles to find acceptance in New York.The film explores the life of tenor Enrico Caruso, a vocalist who faces rejection from Musetta and Dorothy, and struggles to find acceptance in New York.The film explores the life of tenor Enrico Caruso, a vocalist who faces rejection from Musetta and Dorothy, and struggles to find acceptance in New York.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

1.5K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 2 wins & 4 nominations total

Trivia
This was the next-to-last completed MGM film under Louis B. Mayer's supervision (the last was Show Boat (1951), released in the summer of that year). A proxy fight soon after would see him removed as the head of the studio he helped to found. He was replaced by his former chief of production, Dore Schary. Mayer ran MGM for 27 years, Schary for barely 6.

Goofs
Opening credits: The events, characters and firms depicted in this photoplay are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual firms is purely coincidental. Says it ALL.

Quotes
Enrico Caruso: It is true, Señor Barretto, that right now I sing for pennies. Pennies are not very important in a big house like this. But the singing, that is important everywhere. It makes people feel good inside, takes away the ugliness, the sadness, and it fills the empty place here. That too is something Señor, isn't it?

Crazy credits
Opening credits: The events, characters and firms depicted in this photoplay are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual firms is purely coincidental.

Connections
Featured in The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Story (1951)

Soundtracks
The Loveliest Night of the Year
Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Music adaptation by Irving Aaronson
Also performed by Ann Blyth (uncredited)
Adapted from "Sobre las olas" (uncredited)
Music by Juventino Rosas

User reviews34

Review

Featured review

Excellent!!!!! Lanza was & still is the greatest!!!!

I remember seeing The Great Caruso at a Cinema in Melbourne when I was 9 & I've never forgotten it!!!! Unfortunately they don't make movies like that anymore. Ironically that same theatre was where they had the Melbourne Premier of Mario's last film For The First Time on October 7th 1959 the day that Mario Lanza died. I beleive that I speak for most Mario fans around the world, when I say that Mario Lanza was the greatest tenor of them all!!!! I say that with all due respects to Pavartti Carrears & Domingo & many others. I'll never forget you Mario!!!!!