For a performer of such stellar talent, Mario Lanza has received quite a lot of criticism. While watching "For the First Time", his final film I am very ready to dismiss such criticism, as his performance both acting and singing in this film is excellent. You wouldn't say that in other respects this little love story is any more than a vehicle, but it hits the mark. It's like an Elvis movie, you know you are there to admire the star and enjoy his virtuosity, the rest is just window dressing. Much is made in discussions of Lanza of his weight problem and his being driven out of Hollywood, but here his appearance is perfectly acceptable and his charm effective. Lanza didn't appeal to me in my girlish days as he didn't have the appearance of the typical square-jawed leading man, but now I have to say I find his smile appealing and the flash of his dark eyes very attractive, and when he sings, well ..! In respect of his figure, he is a barrel-chested tenor, but he has broad shoulders to carry it off. As for his being overweight, his face is a little pudgy but any avoirdupois is nothing to the obesity you see these days. If he hit any bad notes, I certainly didn't detect it, the singing seemed outstanding to me. When you've finished talking about Lanza there is not much else to say about "For the First Time". The other presences in the film are agreeable and the scenery and sets lovely. Except for imperfect dubbing and a few skips, the visual and audio quality of the digital version of this film on a certain video channel is very good. The printed material which appears on screen is in German, so I want to thank the Germans for keeping this print safe! (it has been reunited with an English soundtrack). I enjoyed the film a good deal and am rating it on that basis. I hope you enjoy it too.
