Rise Stevens Movies
Beautiful and possessing a powerful operatic mezzo-soprano voice, Rise Stevens had a long, distinguished career at the Metropolitan Opera. She also appeared in a few feature films. After she retired from singing, Stevens worked as an administrator for the opera. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 2000
- Add Great Stars of Opera, Vol. 1: Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour, 1959-1964 to QueueAdd Great Stars of Opera, Vol. 1: Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour, 1959-1964 to top of Queue
This documentary is part one of a series featuring some of the greatest stars of opera, whose performances were captured on the Bell Telephone Hour Telecasts. These programs actually began on radio in the 1940s and then came to television in 1959; the last broadcast was in 1967. The telecasts represent one of the few programs on which commercial television gave a forum for classical music. Some of the operatic artists introduced to the television public and presented here are Anna Moffo, Joan Sutherland, Birgit Nilsson, Rise Stevens, and Richard Tucker, all of whom give unforgettable performances. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi
- 1998
- Add The Art of Singing: Golden Voices of the Century to QueueAdd The Art of Singing: Golden Voices of the Century to top of Queue
Baritone Thomas Hampson narrates this overview of operatic treasures preserved on film. In addition to interviews, the two-hour documentary offers a rich clip compilation of legendary performers -- Conchita Supervia, Richard Tauber, Feodor Chaliapin, Maria Callas (a 1964 rendition of Puccini's "Vissi d'arte" at Covent Garden), Jussi Bjorling, Franco Corelli, Victoria de los Angeles, Kirsten Flagstad, Ezio Pinza, Leontyne Price, Beniamino Gigli, Luisa Tetrazzini, Fritz Wunderlich, Rosa Ponselle (an MGM screen test), Bjorling and Renata Tebaldi (duet from La Boheme), and Boris Christoff (Boris Godunov). Interviews include Jon Vickers, Rise Stevens, Giovanni Martinelli, and Magda Olivero. John Ardoin served as music consultant. Premiered March 25, 1998 on PBS. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Starring:
- Magda Olivero, Jon Vickers, (more)
In this animated follow-up to the classic fantasy The Wizard Of Oz, Dorothy (voiced by Liza Minnelli, whose mother Judy Garland played the same role in the 1939 film) decides to return to the land of Oz to pay a visit to her good friend The Scarecrow (voice of Mickey Rooney). However, shortly after her arrival Dorothy discovers all is not well in the land of magic; the evil witch Mombi (voice of Ethel Merman) has arrived to pick up where the Wicked Witch of the West left off, and is using her sinister powers to rob Scarecrow of her powers. Dorothy realizes it's up to her to save Oz from Mombi's machinations, and she teams up with Woodenhead (voice of Herschel Bernardi) and Pumpkinhead (voice of Paul Lynde) to see justice done. Produced in 1964 but not released until 1971, Journey Back To Oz also features the voice talents of Milton Berle, Danny Thomas, Paul Ford and Margaret Hamilton. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Liza Minnelli, Mickey Rooney, (more)
- 1966
When American vocalist John Raitt (1917-2005) first entered the limelight in the mid-1940s, he became known for his resonant and lyrical baritone voice. When combined with Raitt's ability as a thespian, his vocal finesse helped him land the role of Billy Bigelow in the original Broadway run of Carousel (1945-47), as well as subsequent work in The Pajama Game and many other productions. In later years, he teamed up with his daughter, pop-rock singer Bonnie Raitt, for a series of joint concerts. This release travels back to John's heyday, with a compilation of his performances that originally appeared on the Bell Telephone Hour. Selections include: "They Say That Falling in Love is Wonderful," "Summertime," "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'," "Evelina," "Toyland," "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and more. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
- Starring:
- John Raitt, Martha Wright, (more)
- 1951
This video is part of the celebrated series from The Voice of Firestone, that appeared on television in the late '40s and early '50s. The program showcased the talents of some of the greatest opera stars of the century. The live programs featured the artists performing excerpts from roles for which they had become famous. In Classic Performances From the Voice of Fireston: Vol. 7 - Rise Stevens, opera star and sometimes Hollywood actress Rise Stevens makes her commanding presence known. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi
- 1951
Enjoy this collection of Rise Stevens performances from 1951-62 with arias from Carmen, La Nozze di Figaro and Samson et Delila. ~ Rovi
- 1951
Enjoy the sounds of Rise Stevens performing titles from Bizet's Carmen, Schubert and Smoke Gets in Your Eyes. ~ Rovi
Auteur theorists who've charted the career of "cult" director Edgar G. Ulmer have seldom mentioned Carnegie Hall, simply because it was more expensive than most of Ulmer's films and thus can't be regarded a "low-budget masterpiece." The wafer-thin plotline concerns a young immigrant woman (Marsha Hunt) who takes a job as a Carnegie Hall cleaning woman. Her love of music leads her to a better job in the Hall, and after several years she rises to the position of concert organizer. The woman uses her clout to promote her own son's career as a pianist. Carnegie Hall showcases a number of celebrated musicians. Selections include: Arthur Rubinstein performing Chopin's Polonaise in A Flat, Jascha Heifetz performing Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in G Major by Tchaikovsky, Ezio Pinza singing both the drinking song from Don Giovanni and one of the arias from Simon di Boccanegra, Lily Pons singing The Bell Song from Lakme by Delibes, and Jan Peerce singing O Sole Mio.The film also includes musical performances by Bruno Walter,Rise Stevens, Gregor Piatagorsky, Harry James, Vaughn Monroe, Leopold Stokowski, and others. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Marsha Hunt, Emile Boreo, (more)
A Carnegie Hall employee who dreams of success for her young son raises him in the legendary concert venue in hopes that inspiration will shine through the music in this film featuring performances by Bruno Walter, Risë Stevens, Jan Peerce, Ezio Penza, Leopold Stokowski and many more. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1944
It took some doing to persuade the staunchly Catholic Bing Crosby to play a happy-go-lucky priest in Going My Way; luckily he acquiesced, winning an Academy Award in the process. Crosby is cast as Father Chuck O'Malley, newly arrived at rundown, heavily in debt St. Dominic's Church. Father Fitzgibbon (Barry Fitzgerald), the cranky, set-in-his-ways curate of St. Dominic's, is none too pleased with O'Malley's breezy, "modernistic" methods. Fitzgibbon is content to adhere to the policies he has followed for nearly 45 years. Without overtly challenging Fitzgibbon's authority (he likes the old buzzard, and the feeling is mutual), O'Malley sets about to win the confidence of the local street toughs, organizing the boys into an angelic church choir. He also forestalls the plans of St. Dominic's mortgage holder Ted Haines (Gene Lockhart) to evict Fitzgibbons by arranging a fundraising choir tour, to be headlined by O'Malley's childhood friend, opera star Genevieve Linden (Rise Stevens). When he's not coming to the rescue of St. Dominic's, O'Malley is smoothing the path of romance for Haines' son (James Brown) and orphaned Carol James (Jean Heather), and arranging for a reunion between Fitzgibbons and his nonagenarian Irish mother. There is sentiment by the bucketful in Going My Way, but director Leo McCarey sagaciously tempers the treacle with moments of genuine hilarity and several delightful (and seemingly spontaneous) musical interludes. In addition to Crosby, Oscars went to Barry Fitzgerald, Leo McCarey, screenwriters Frank Butler and Frank Cavett, and Burke and Van Heusen's song hit "Swingin' On a Star." Bing Crosby repeated his father O'Malley characterization in McCarey's 1945 sequel The Bells of St. Mary's. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Bing Crosby, Rise Stevens, (more)
- 1941
This remake of Ferenc Molnar's play The Guardsmen focuses on an opera star (Nelson Eddy) who tests the fidelity of his wife (Rise Stephens) by wooing her in disguise. The film was nominated for Best Cinematography, Best Sound and Best Score. ~ John Bush, Rovi
- Starring:
- Nelson Eddy, Rise Stevens, (more)
