Watch For the First Time

For the First Time is a musical-romantic drama that tells the story of Mike Ribble (played by Mario Lanza), a blind opera singer who travels to Italy to perform in a concert. There he meets and falls in love with Gina Carone (played by Johanna von Koczian), a young woman who works as a tour guide. However, their love story is complicated by the fact that Gina is already engaged to another man, who is also Mike's friend and sponsor, Amerigo Galli (played by Kurt Kasznar).

The movie was released in 1959, during a time when Hollywood was still producing lavish musicals and romantic dramas. It was directed by Rudolph Maté and produced by Joe Pasternak, both of whom had experience working on similar films. For the First Time was one of the last movies made by Lanza, who was a popular singer and actor in the 1950s but died in 1959, shortly after the movie's release.

The film's opening scene shows Mike Ribble arriving in Italy, where he is greeted by his friend Amerigo Galli. Mike is blind and gets around with the help of a guide dog, an unusual sight in 1950s Italy. Mike is also a famous opera singer, and he has come to Italy to perform in a concert. Galli is his sponsor and has arranged for him to stay in a luxurious villa overlooking Lake Como.

On his first day in Italy, Mike meets Gina, who works as a tour guide at the villa. He is immediately drawn to her voice, which he describes as "angelic." Mike and Gina spend time together, and he shares with her his love for music and his dreams of singing at La Scala, the famous opera house in Milan. Gina is impressed by Mike's talent and charm, but she is also conflicted because she is engaged to Galli and feels loyal to him.

As the movie progresses, it becomes clear that Mike and Gina are falling in love. They spend time together, going on boat rides and sightseeing, and Mike even helps Gina prepare for a singing audition. However, their love story is complicated by the fact that Gina is engaged to Galli, who is also Mike's friend and sponsor. Galli is aware of Mike's feelings for Gina and confronts him about it, but Mike assures him that he has no intention of coming between them.

The movie is filled with musical performances, as Mike practices his singing and performs in the concert. Lanza's powerful voice and stage presence are on full display, and the movie's musical numbers are some of its most memorable scenes. There are also several comedic moments, particularly involving Galli's attempts to keep Mike and Gina apart.

As the movie moves towards its climax, Mike and Gina's love for each other is tested. Gina must decide between her loyalty to Galli and her feelings for Mike, while Mike must deal with the fact that he is blind and may never be able to see Gina's face. The final scene of the movie is particularly memorable, as Mike performs at La Scala and Gina watches from the audience.

Overall, For the First Time is a classic example of 1950s Hollywood romantic dramas. It features big musical numbers, charming performances, and a twist-filled plot that keeps audiences engaged. Lanza's final performance adds a poignant note to the movie, making it a must-see for fans of classic Hollywood musicals.

For the First Time is a 1959 musical with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.