THE TOAST OF NEW ORLEANS

US, 1950, 97 minutes, Colour.
Kathryn Grayson, Mario Lanza, David Niven, J. Carroll Naish, James Mitchell, Clinton Sundberg, Rita Moreno.
Directed by Norman Taurog.

The Toast of New Orleans is still famous for starring Mario Lanza. The Philadelphia truck driver emerged on the scene, was feted by Hollywood with That Midnight Kiss (with Kathryn Grayson), The Toast of New Orleans and The Great Caruso, MGM’s tribute to the famous opera star. He appeared in comparatively few films, caused a lot of difficulties (especially with his weight) and his voice only was used for the 1954 The Student Prince. He died at age thirty-eight.

Kathryn Grayson was a big star at MGM at this period, appearing in many musicals, often with Howard Keel, including Showboat, Lovely To Look At and Kiss Me Kate. David Niven had been around for quite some time at this stage, often as the other man. Here he is the other man, the agent of a rather ambitious opera star who encounters a rough fisherman in the Louisiana bayous. By encouraging him to sing, he obviously encourages the fisherman to fall in love with the opera star. It is all just that.

Highlights of the film include duets from Madame Butterfly and Mario Lanza’s ever popular, Be My Love.

The film was directed by Norman Taurog who had won an Oscar for Skippy in 1931. Taurog directed films from 1920 to 1970, a huge number of features. More serious in the 30s, he moved to lighter comedies including some Mickey Rooney- Judy Garland films in the 40s, with Martin and Lewis in the 50s. Towards the end of his career he directed nine Elvis Presley musicals.

1. The quality of this musical? Its plot, light approach, comedy, songs and opera, dance? As a musical of 1950 and its style?

2. The film as a vehicle for Kathryn Grayson and Mario Lanza? How well were they presented? Their relationship with one another?

3. The enjoyment of the plot? How real? How artificial? Played for comedy? Its plausibility? A mixture of realism and fantasy? The 1905 setting?

4. The film as a fairy story? A masculine version of 'Cinderella'? The awareness of growth, change, pride? Fantasy and reality?

5. The importance of the Bayou atmosphere? The fishing, the ordinary way of life, the blessing of the boats, the Bayou songs and music, civic pride? The feast, the singing, the mayor and his speeches, the ships and the fishing?

6. The contrast with the New Orleans world? Suzanne and Jacques belonging to this world? The details of the streets, buildings, shop-sellers, vendors of New Orleans? Cars, carts and wagons?

7. The world of the opera? How attractive? The high society that went to opera, to Dominique’s for their meals? The world of the restaurant, fashion, good manners? How real, artificial?

9. Pepe finding himself in New Orleans? The rough man having to adapt? The basic approaches to life and manners, to music? Pepe and his willingness to learn? His falling in love with Suzanne? His having to learn manners (the comedy?) His decision to go fully into the manners of society? Going into it too much? How well developed was this character?

10. How well developed was the character of Suzanne? The opera prima donna, her ambitions and relying on Jacques? Her dependence on him for decisions? Her behaviour and attitudes at the Bayou? Her tolerance of Pepe? Her growing to appreciate him? Her fearfulness of her love? The happiness of their outing together, for example the boat in the river? Her hostility? The proposal to Jacques? The realization of the truth? The comic presentation of 'Madame Butterfly' and the reality of their story in the opera?

10. Jacques as the typical David Niven character? His ambitions for the opera, finding of Pepe and promoting him and training him, devotion to Suzanne, willingness to step out of their lives?

11. The presentation of the people of the Bayou? Tina, her love for Pepe, the singing, especially her song? The irony of their visit to New Orleans, their new clothes at the restaurant, their visit to the opera? The points being made about the clash of cultures?

12. The comedy with Uncle Nicky? The continual contrast with his behaviour and attitudes with those of New Orleans? Poking fun at the artificial manners of society? How well developed was his character?

13. The glamour of the presentation of the world of music? The hard work involved in learning? The opportunities to sing? The importance of the opera, excerpts for enjoyment?

14. The popular songs, especially 'Be My Love'? The romantic songs between the two principals as part of the plot?

15. The success of the film as a comedy, especially about American society?