Movie Review: That Midnight Kiss (1949)

Buongiorno!

"Why, if it isn't Ethel Barrymore!"
It actually is!

That quote is from the movie Singin' in the Rain (1952) (aka my favorite movie of all time), and I've used it a few times here, and I always say "Actually, Drew Barrymore", but today I am finally reviewing a movie with Ethel herself!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

That Midnight Kiss (1949):

Prudence loves to sing and after five years of training, her grandmother supports her to get her into an opera. She gets to sing with a very famous performer, but he is very disagreeable. She meets Johnny, a delivery man, who is energetic and also a very talented singer. She wants to get him to be in the show, and they are really fond of each other, but things keep happening that draw them apart. Will they ever both sing on stage?

Genre: Musical, Romance.

Length: approx. 96 minutes.

Costumes: 9, there are some really pretty ones, especially for the opera pieces.

Costumes by: Helen Rose.

Script: 10, no bad words!

Crew:

Directed by: Norman Taurog.

Written by: Bruce Manning & Tamara Hovey.

Starring:
Kathryn Grayson as Prudence Budell.

Mario Lanza as Johnny Donnetti.
Ethel Barrymore as Abigail Trent Budell.

José Iturbi as Himself.
Keenan Wynn as Artie Glenson.
J. Carrol Naish as Papa Donnetti.
Jules Munshin as Michael Pemberton.
Thomas Gomez as Guido Russino Betelli.
Marjorie Reynolds as Mary.

Arthur Treacher as Hutchins.
Mimi Aguglia as Mamma Donnetti.
Amparo Iturbi as Himself.
Bridget Carr as Donna Donnetti.
Amparo Ballester as Rosina Donnetti.

Cinematography: 8, The colors are nice and there are some cool angles.

Cinematography by: Robert L. Surtees.

Music: 10! I can't sing to save my life, but all of these people were AMAZING! Opera, no less! The music was definitely my favorite part!

Music by: Charles Previn & Conrad Salinger.

Quotes: 8.

Notes: At one time they drive past a movie theater and it says that In the Good Old Summertime starring Judy Garland and Van Johnson is playing. Fun, right?

Storyline: 8, There is some smoking, and kissing, but if you are watching a movie called That Midnight Kiss, what do you expect?

Good For: Opera lovers, romance lovers.

Age Range: It is perfectly clean, so any age would be fine with watching it, but depending on the person they might be bored if they don't like opera.

Overall Score: 8.

Bonus thoughts:
As I said before, the music was fantastic! It was a little "mushy" for me personally (Romance isn't my favorite genre), but it was cute! Other favorite parts were the comic relief by Keenan Wyn and Jules Munshin.

Why am I reviewing this today? Why, it is The Fifth Annual Barrymore Trilogy Blogathon, hosted by In The Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood, and Pale Writer!

As I mentioned, the last two years I have featured Drew Barrymore, so it was fun to actually participate with one of the Trio! I really liked to seeing Ethel as Prudence's grandmother, Abigail Trent Budell, who is a little stern, but very loving.

Thanks to Crystal and Gabriela for hosting this! And thank you for reading!!

MovieCritic