Kiss Me, Kate (1958)

An ex-husband and wife team star in a musical version of 'The Taming of the Shrew'; off-stage, the production is troublesome with ex-lovers' quarrels and a gangster looking for some money owed to them.

Director:

George Schaefer

Writers:

Sam Spewack, Bella Spewack

Stars:

Alfred Drake, Patricia Morison, Julie Wilson

Cast

Cast overview:
Alfred Drake	...	Frederick Graham (Petruchio)
Patricia Morison	...	Lilli Vanessi (Kate)
Julie Wilson	...	Lois Lane (Bianca)
Bill Hayes	...	Bill Calhoun (Lucentio)
Harvey Lembeck	...	Gunman
Jack Klugman	...	Gunman
Paul McGrath	...	Harrison Howell
Robinson Stone	...	Harry Trevor (Baptista)
Lee Cass	...	Gromio
Jerry Duane	...	Hortensio
Eva Jessye	...	Hattie
Lee Richardson	...	Ralph
Lorenzo Fuller	...	Paul

Storyline

An ex-husband and wife team star in a musical version of 'The Taming of the Shrew'; off-stage, the production is troublesome with ex-lovers' quarrels and a gangster looking for some money owed to them.

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Plot Keywords:

broadway musical | based on stage musical based on stage play | based on stage musical | backstage | filmed play | 

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Genres:

Musical

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Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the first "Hallmark Hall of Fame" program ever broadcast on videotape, and in color. It was never broadcast live.

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Connections

Version of La mégère apprivoisée (1911)

User Reviews

Great Record of Broadway at its Best

This is a black and white kinescope of a live color broadcast from 1958. It re-teams the leads from the original Broadway production of "Kiss Me, Kate." Its leading man, Alfred Drake, was that rarity: a completely accomplished actor with a magnificent singing voice. He did this broadcast while he was in the midst of distinguishing himself as a classical actor at Stratford Connecticut's American Shakespeare Festival, playing "Benedick" opposite Katharine Hepburn in "Much Ado about Nothing," and as "Iago" opposite Earl Hyman's "Othello." The role of "Petruchio" fit him like a glove. His verse speaking still sets a standard for Shakespearian acting, and his singing of "So in Love," "I've Come to Wive it Wealthily in Padua," and "Where is the Life that Late I Led?" are exciting and exemplary. Patricia Morrison was a great beauty who made a number of "B" movies in the 1940's. She too was a wonderful singer and actress. She shines in "I Hate Men," and her duets with Drake such as "Wunderbar" and the first act finale. Miss Morrison reprised this part many times on stage, and came to "own" the role of "Kate." A very young Jack Klugman plays the "Second Man" and sings and dances "Brush up your Shakespeare" with Harvey Lembeck. Future cabaret star Julie Wilson is a knock-out as "Bianca." The show is cut to fit a 90 minute time slot, with the role of "Lucientio" played by Bill Hayes taking a huge hit. It was a star dancing role originally, but is so reduced that non-dancer Hayes is able to do all that is required of him. Missing are the songs "Too Darn Hot," "Bianca," and "Were Thine that Special Face," but what remains is a marvelous record of a great singing actor and a great singing actress, and of the resourcefulness and energy of the golden age of live television.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 November 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: Kiss Me Kate (#8.2)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Milberg Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White (surviving kinescope prints) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1