Kiss Me Kate (1953)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

George Sidney

Writers:

Dorothy Kingsley (screenplay)
Sam Spewack (play) ...

Release Date:

26 November 1953 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

THE FAMED STAGE HIT...NOW A BIG COLORFUL MUSICAL!

Plot:

Fred and Lilly are a divorced pair of actors who are brought together by Cole Porter who has written a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew...

Plot Keywords:

Opening Night | Kiss | Gambling Debt | William Shakespeare | Gambling

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Kathryn Grayson	...	Lilli Vanessi 'Katharina'
Howard Keel	...	Fred Graham 'Petruchio'
Ann Miller	...	Lois Lane 'Bianca'
Keenan Wynn	...	Lippy
Bobby Van	...	'Gremio'
Tommy Rall	...	Bill Calhoun 'Lucentio'
James Whitmore	...	Slug
Kurt Kasznar	...	'Baptista'
Bob Fosse	...	'Hortensio'
Ron Randell	...	Cole Porter
Willard Parker	...	Tex Callaway
Dave O'Brien	...	Ralph
Claud Allister	...	Paul
Ann Codee	...	Suzanne
Carol Haney	...	Specialty Dancer

Also Known As:

Embrasse-moi, chérie (Belgium: French title) (France) [fr]
Anna suukko, äkäpussi (Finland) [fi]
Bésame, Catalina (Venezuela) [es]
Baciami kate! (Italy) [it]
Dá-Me um Beijo (Brazil) [pt]
Filise me, Kaiti (Greece) [el]
Küß mich Kätchen (Austria) [de]
Küß mich, Kätchen! (West Germany) [de]
Kiss Me Kate (Sweden) [sv]
Kiss Me Kate (Denmark) [da]
Omhels me! (Belgium: Flemish title) [un]

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Anscocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo (Western Electric Sound System) | Mono

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | Canada:G (video rating) | Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:Approved (PCA #16600)

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Even though Hermes Pan is the credited choreographer on the film, the steamy duet between Bob Fosse and Carol Haney in "From This Moment On" (which includes Fosse doing a complete back-flip) was choreographed by Fosse himself, and lasts only 66 seconds. But it is the sequence that made critics take notice of the future award-winning choreographer and director.

Goofs:

Factual errors: At the time he wrote this musical, far from being a healthy man, Cole Porter was a wheelchair-bound cripple who needed constant medical care. His legs had been crushed in a riding accident when the horse fell on him.

Quotes:

Lilli Vanessi: Do you really think *I* could play the shrew?
Fred Graham: You'd make a perfect shrew!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Broadway: The American Musical: Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin': 1943-1960 (#1.4)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Too Darn Hot

If you are a dance fan

This is my favorite musical, not for the dancing alone, but it is the best. The dancers, not just Ann Miller and Rall, but Bob Fosse, Bobby Van, and Carol Haney!! What more could any dance fan want? There is always something new to see, no matter how many times you have watched it. The lyrics are magnificent, tricky and intriguing. When Howard Keel, dressed in those gorgeous tights, sings about all the women he has known, he's a knockout. Grayson is not my favorite actress, but she can sing, and she and Keel make a wonderful pair. I will admit that the music is great, but folks, catch the dancing!! The final dance number with the six dancers is superb, but how can you watch all six at once? You have to watch it several times, particularly the pair of Carol Haney and Bob Fosse.