Equally bizarre, Como plays a fictional character in the film, but is introduced at the end by Gene Kelly, playing himself, as “Perry Como” and then sings “With a Song in My Heart” at a memorial service for Larry Hart, uncomfortably played by Mickey Rooney. There is another deleted Como number on the DVD, as well the soundtrack for yet another song that he may or may not have filmed. The flick is available individually or as part of volume 2 of Warner Home Video’s “Musicals From the Dream Factory.” Also included is a double feature with one of Mom’s other favorite Italian-American singers, Mario Lanza, who MGM also signed up in 1948. Mayer reportedly adored Lanza, but a revealing BBC documentary reveals Mayer’s successor Dore Schary got so fed up with Lanza’s egomania that he hired Edmund Purdom to lip synch Lanza’s pre-recorded vocals for “The Student Prince.” Lanza, a binge eater, died at 38 after dropping 40 pounds for what turned out to be his final role.