The man's a marvel. Lanza, that is.
Already he is being hailed by critics as the greatest operatic tenor since Caruso. Which may give you some idea of how few so talented singers are ever born to bestow their golden voices on the eager public. And you understand rightly. If you understand that such a judgment is never given lightly.
Add to his superb musical equipment an imposing physique plus exciting Latin looks that would pique the ardor of women from sixteen to sixty-two, and you may have some slight idea of why M-G-M is in a dizzy whirl of excitement over the latest pearl in it's oyster!
Mario and Betty built a gate to the patio so that Colleen can't go wondering
when she gets that frequent vagabond urge.
But you must know that his heart belongs to Betty Lanza (nee' Hicks) and their adorable Colleen, who'll be two on December ninth. So it is that a joyous home gives that extra glow to Mario's exuberant, almost boisterous personality - one that seems to bubble with enthusiasm for everything from D flat over high C (Which, incidentally, he can sing with no trouble) to a thick, juicy steak. (Which incidentally, he could take six of at a clip, if he didn't have to watch his weight so that he will continue to "rate" with the all-important feminine half of the population).
And high up at the top of Mario's enthusiasms is his deep feeling for the country of his birth - this nation where a boy who spent his early years in one of the poorest sections of the country - South Philadelphia - can and did become a famous voice.
Music was his choice when he was still Freddie Cocozza of South Philly, where he used to play his invalid father's stack of Caruso records by the hour. And though both his parents encouraged his love of music, his grandfather thought it was silly for a boy Mario's strength not to be working instead of lurking about the house, listening avidly to music.
Finally, Mario gave in and became a piano mover for his grandfather's trucking concern. By a fantastic stroke of luck, he couldn't have picked a better way to learn music. For, while he was moving a piano into the famous Academy of Music, he burst into spontaneous song and was overheard by the renowned Serge Koussevitsky, who insisted Mario come to the Berkshire Music Festival with him.
Offers poured in after that.
But Mario turned them all down for "Greetings" - and an Army hat.
Discharged in 1945, after singing in Army shows, On the BeamandWinged Vicrory, Mario made radio and recording dates galore.
But he became more and more discouraged by his lack of training. Then - happy day! - he was sent by a sympathetic patron of music, named Sam Weiler, to the famous voice trainer, Enrico Rosati, whose fifteen months of work with Mario meant fame and fortune for Lanza, and for the music-lovers of the world - a bonanza!
