Once described as the greatest voice of the 20th century, Mario Lanza burst onto the scene in 1947 when his performance at the Hollywood Bowl led to a seven year contract with MGM. Four years later he made the film with which he has become synonymous; that of Enrico Caruso, who he portrayed in The Great Caruso. There were certainly many striking similarities between the two singers, leading some critics to label Lanza as 'the new Caruso.' The other film with which Mario Lanza's name is forever linked is The Student Prince, although he doesn't appear in the film at all; after recording the soundtrack he walked off the set following a growing number of arguments with both the producer and director. The studio got a new actor to play the role, but had him mime to Mario's singing!