Kiss Me Kate (1953)

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. Of course, the couple seem to act a great ... See full summary »

Director:

George Sidney

Writers:

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

Stars:

Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ann Miller

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kathryn Grayson	...	Lilli Vanessi 'Katherine'
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

Storyline

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. Of course, the couple seem to act a great deal like the characters they play. A fight on the opening night threatens the production, as well as two thugs who have the mistaken idea that Fred owes their boss money and insist on staying next to him all night.

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Plot Keywords:

opening night | gangster | gambling | backstage | actor | 

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Taglines:

IN 3D !!!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Italian

Release Date:

26 November 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

Embrasse-moi, chérie

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo (Western Electric Sound System) Mono

Color:

Color (Ansco Color)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally filmed in 3D which is why the actors often throw things (including themselves) at the audience.

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Goofs

At the time he wrote this musical, far from being a healthy man, Cole Porter (represented by Ron Randell in this movie) 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.

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Quotes

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

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Connections

Referenced in Glamour à Hollywood par George Sidney (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Always True to You in My Fashion"
(uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Sung by Ann Miller and Tommy Rall

User Reviews

A vibrant musical delight.

Great adaptation of the Broadway musical with a wonderful Cole Porter score. Yes the plot is just an excuse (though not a flimsy one) to put the numbers together, but so what? Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel are very good as battling exes who are destined to be together, in the best tradition of Scarlett and Rhett, with a dash of His Girl Friday thrown in. Plus, it's all acted out amidst Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, which provides for some great comic moments. Keenan Wynn and James Whitmore as the two gangsters are hilarious in the classic "Brush Up Your Shakespeare." Bob Fosse, who plays Bianca's blond suitor in the "Shrew" play-within-a-play, electrifies the screen with Carol Haney in their short but spectacular dance during the "From This Moment On" number. But it is Ann Miller who steals the show with her tradmark perkiness, charm and dynamite dancing skills, demonstrated memorably in another classic, "Too Darn Hot," and her numbers with Tommy Rall. Definitly recommended if you want a laugh, a tune to hum and a great show to see.