Kiss Me Kate | Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel | wonderful and classic movie musical

Kiss Me Kate | Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel | EXCELLENT

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Kiss Me Kate

	Kiss Me Kate Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel MGM (Video & DVD), 1995 average customer review:based on 62 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Cole Porter, Shakespeare, and 3-D: Not the usual recipe for an MGM musical, but hey--it works. Although it runs hot and cold, this 1953 take on Porter's delightful Broadway smash lets a chewy cast gorge on some terrific songs and show-biz in-jokes. Think of the plot as His Girl Friday in greasepaint: vain star Howard Keel wants to lure ex-wife Kathryn Grayson back to the boards with a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew. The movie's weakness is too much Shakespeare, not enough backstage backbiting (and why are two of the best numbers, "So in Love" and Ann Miller's zippy "Too Darn Hot," confined to a prologue?). Then there's the tendency to throw things at the camera--3-D, what hath you wrought? The candy-store color design is great fun, and Tommy Rall and future dance titan Bob Fosse are turned loose for some sensational leaps. Now that's "Wunderbar." --Robert Horton

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wonderful and classic movie musical

Kiss Me Kate is perhaps the best example of what MGM could do to create a sumptuous movie musical that holds your attention and never lets go! The song and dance numbers are flawless; we even see a young Bob Fosse doing his stuff at the very end of the movie. The convincing acting also impressed me and the plot moves along at a good pace.

The action starts when Cole Porter (played by Ron Randell) and Fred Graham (Howard Keel) are planning a new Broadway musical based on Shakespeare's Taming Of the Shrew. Of course, from the very start there's loads of action--they have selected Fred's ex-wife Lilli Vanessi (Kathryn Grayson) to play the role of Katherine the shrew. This sets up lots of gags involving Fred and Lilli's former marriage with all its warfare and the difficult person Lilli had to play in the Broadway musical. In addition, Ann Miller quickly makes her entrance as Fred's new girlfriend Lois Lane--who just happens to waltz into Fred's living room as they're all rehearsing to do, shall I say, a zesty number entitled "Too Darn Hot."

Of course, the actors are cast and the play eventually opens--and opening night is when most of the action takes place. Fred and Lilli eventually realize they're still in love with each other after all--so what will Lilli do about her engagement to some rich Texas tycoon? Worse yet, what happens when Lilli discovers--onstage--that the flowers from Fred were really meant for Lois who's also in the show?

In addition, there's a subplot provided, I think, mostly for comic relief--as if we needed any! Two gangsters are trailing Fred all through the opening night performance to the point of even going onstage as actors to shadow him during his scenes! These gangsters wrongly believe that Fred owes a debt to their boss--what will happen about that? Will Fred ever get them to realize they're shadowing the wrong guy?

Of course, the real strength of this motion picture lies in the song and dance numbers. There are so many I can't count them all--but you'll never tire of watching them. "Why Can't You Behave?", "Wunderbar" and "From This Moment On" are just three of these fantastic jewels.

The DVD comes with two extras of note--I liked the extra about Cole Porter's renaissance in Hollywood when they made this film; and there's a MGM short about Manhattan that really fascinated me as it shows what Manhattan used to look like. And they thought they were crowded back then!

The classic movie musical aficionado must have this film in their collection. I also recommend this film for fans of the stars of the picture; and this is also a great introduction for newcomers looking to see just what MGM could do when they put their minds to creating the ultimate movie musical.

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EXCELLENT

This is one of the best musicals! I love Howard Keel's voice and persona. It is a fun look at Shakespeare!

Wonderful old movie

If you're into old musicals, particularly comedies, this is the movie for you. It's just good, old-fashioned fun!

Should adapt to wide screen

Shame that such a great film is not available in wide screen yet. Fitting the format for TV/small screen really takes away from the choreography.

Kiss me...

Although I enjoyed this DVD, I really like the newer edition of Kiss Me, Kate. The costumes in this one are quite loud and the updated edition has more down-to-earth costumes.

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