Kiss Me Kate (1953)

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Divorced theater actors Fred (Howard Keel) and Lilli (Kathryn Grayson) team up again to play a musical version of Shakespeare's the Taming of the Shrew, igniting a full range of emotions between the two. The situation is not helped by Fred's flirtation with another actress, Lois (Ann Miller), and finally Lilli quits in mid play. In the meantime, Lois's boyfriend Bill (Tommy Rall) runs up a debt with gangsters, but signs Fred's name. Things grow more complicated when the gangsters (played by James Whitmore and Keenan Wynn) arrive to collect the money, and refuse to let Lilli leave. All the while, the play within a play is on-going as well, adding a further dimension to plot.It may sound complicated, but the beauty of Dorothy Kingsley's screenplay (which was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award) is how well it flows, weaving all the subplots in and out, and finally tying them together. Keel and Grayson are excellently matched, with both having superb singing voices. Miller, as always, steals the spotlight with her vivacity and dancing skill--helped, of course, by Hermes Pan's excellent choreography. Costumes and sets are cheerful and colorful and look great all around. The star of the show, however, is Cole Porter: his clever lyrics and lovely music are the groundwork that the builds this fine film.What I dislike about this movie is that it highlights the Taming of the Shrew (a horrible play) in a positive, even idolizing, light. The modern part of the plot follows the Taming some, showing male dominance and female subservience as the expected outcome between a man and a woman. I realize the movie is only showing the societal norm for the 1950s, and as such can enjoy the rest of the film without being affected.The bottom line is that Kiss Me Kate is a fun, lively movie, with a few flaws, but still good enough for a universal recommendation.

With music and dancing like that, how could this film miss? It was just marvelous to view a divorced couple, Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson appear in the show with the film title and act out their frustrations, inhibitions and general attitudes as the divorced couple.Ann Miller, Bobby Van, and as the two hoods looking for money owed, James Whitmore and Keenan Wynn steal the scenes they are in. Their memorable rendition of Brush up your Shakespeare is a classic in itself.The movie was a fabulous one and I liked the idea of Grayson and Keel working their situation while on stage and then resuming it between various scenes.

I've always thought this was a great musical and saw it in 3D over 30 years ago. In 2D it was great--in 3D it's a wonder. Now that it is available on DVD in 3D it is a must. I bought my 3D TV 5 years ago hoping they would release this film in 3D. It here and it's great-- probably the best movie ever made in 3D. The depth of 3D is amazing, the film frame just disappears in the 1:75 DVD release (there is no picture loss in widescreen), and the print that is used is flawless-- even better than the 2D version that accompanies it. Fabulous stereo sound that sounds like it was recorded yesterday. A brilliant musical with great performances in a adaptation that is even better than the stage show. Trivia--Kathryn Grayson's red wig in the Kate sequences looks exactly like the wig worn by Eleanor Parker in "Scaramouche" from earlier in 1953.

Seriously, Kiss Me Kate is a truly splendid movie. My only complaint is that there are one or two slow scenes in the middle half. People might say it just lacks the energy and pizazz of a musical like Singin' In the Rain, maybe so. Singin' In the Rain is one of those wonderful, energetic and irresistible films. But Kiss Me Kate sparkles in a truly delightful and somewhat unique way, not only in the production values but in its performances, music and choreography.The film looks absolutely fabulous. The cinematography is fluid, the sets colourful and the costumes lavish. Director George Sidney is right at home here, and makes splendid use of his stars by using cleverly disguised long takes. The music and songs by Cole Porter is outstanding, from a musical AND choreographic point of view Too Darn Hot and Brush Up Your Shakespeare have always stood out for me. The plot reads of a musical version of Taming of the Shrew, and is very effective.The choreography is energetic and never pedestrian. And the performances are wonderful. I can never get enough of Howard Keel, he just has a charming screen persona and a beautiful singing voice. Here, as Fred he has rarely been better. As Lisa, Kathryn Grayson looks stunning and acts "difficult" perfectly. Comic gangsters James Whitmore and Keenan Wynn are also great in the saucy waltz Brush Up Your Shakespeare, but with Too Darn Hot it is Ann Miller who steals the show. All in all, splendid. 9/10 Bethany Cox