Kiss Me Kate (B or 3/4 stars)
'Kiss Me Kate' (directed by George Sidney, of Showboat) is acted out as a musical within a musical - all appropriate, since the source material, Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, was, itself, a play within a play. Howard Keel & Kathryn Grayson star as Fred Graham & Lilli Vanessi, a famous Broadway couple who haven't worked together since their nasty divorce. Fred, collaborating with Cole Porter (played here by Ron Randell), plans to star in a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew titled "Kiss Me Kate." Both he & Cole Porter agree that only 1 actress should play the tempestuous Kate, and that's Lilli. But she's not a sure thing, especially after finding out that Fred's latest paramour, Lois Lane (toothy Ann Miller), is going to be playing the juicy tap-dancing role of Bianca.
Meanwhile, a pair of gangsters (James Whitmore, Keenan Wynn) arrive on the scene, convinced that Fred is thousands of dollars in debt to their mob boss; actually, it is Lois Lane's boyfriend/chorus dancer, Bill Calhoun (Tommy Rall) who really owes the $$, and haphazardly signed Fred's name to an IOU. But since Lilli is still iffy about doing the show, Fred actually plays along with the gangsters, who force her at gunpoint to co-star with her ex-husband so that they'll get paid off. With time, Lilli agrees to do the show. It opens on Broadway. Howwwever, shenanigans ensue as the former married couple start bickering; culminating with Fred giving Lilli a center stage spanking & the audience howls with laughter. So as you can see, 'Kiss Me Kate' offers a lavish Broadway play-within-a play with arguing co-stars, conniving gangsters, oodles of dancing, & humorous songs. What does all of this mean? It means that all sorts of hijinks ensue both on & off the stage.
'Kiss Me Kate' isn't the best movie musical of all-time, but it's still a lot of fun. The character of Fred is vain & egotistical, & Howard Keel nails the portrayal. We know he's handsome & sings amazingly well with that silky baritone, but I was rather amused by him, as well (just watch him parade around in those multi-colored tights, haha). As hot-tempered Lilli Vanessi, Kathryn Grayson is ... lovely. She also sings mighty well. But I got nothin' else on that front. Better than even Keel & Grayson, however, is the dancing; which is brilliantly choreographed by Hermes Pan. I mean, the dancing is the BIG reason to tune in, here. Ann Miller hits the ground running with zeal, amazing moves, & an alluring glare that reels us in (I'm reminded of her come hither look she gives us in her "Too Darn Hot" number).
Other dancers of note in the film include Bob Fosse(!), Bobby Van, Carol Haney, Jeanne Coyne, & aforementioned Tommy Rall. Speaking of Rall, that is one dynamic dancer. His powerful, athletic presence really made me lean forward when he moved; and his singing scenes with Ann Miller impress, as well. This film features some snappy Cole Porter tunes which include: "Kiss Me Kate", "So In Love", "Wunderbar", "From this Moment On", & "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" (a silly duet sung/danced delightfully by gangsters, James Whitmore & Keenan Wynn). Director George Sidney keeps the proceedings moving swiftly. The colorful Elizabethan costumes, while not classically stellar, ARE eye-popping. I'm not the wildest fan of The Taming of the Shrew, but the way Sidney handles that play in the context of this musical is entertaining enough. There are some dull spots sprinkled throughout 'Kiss Me Kate', but nothing overly damning to the overall effect.
Meanwhile, a pair of gangsters (James Whitmore, Keenan Wynn) arrive on the scene, convinced that Fred is thousands of dollars in debt to their mob boss; actually, it is Lois Lane's boyfriend/chorus dancer, Bill Calhoun (Tommy Rall) who really owes the $$, and haphazardly signed Fred's name to an IOU. But since Lilli is still iffy about doing the show, Fred actually plays along with the gangsters, who force her at gunpoint to co-star with her ex-husband so that they'll get paid off. With time, Lilli agrees to do the show. It opens on Broadway. Howwwever, shenanigans ensue as the former married couple start bickering; culminating with Fred giving Lilli a center stage spanking & the audience howls with laughter. So as you can see, 'Kiss Me Kate' offers a lavish Broadway play-within-a play with arguing co-stars, conniving gangsters, oodles of dancing, & humorous songs. What does all of this mean? It means that all sorts of hijinks ensue both on & off the stage.
'Kiss Me Kate' isn't the best movie musical of all-time, but it's still a lot of fun. The character of Fred is vain & egotistical, & Howard Keel nails the portrayal. We know he's handsome & sings amazingly well with that silky baritone, but I was rather amused by him, as well (just watch him parade around in those multi-colored tights, haha). As hot-tempered Lilli Vanessi, Kathryn Grayson is ... lovely. She also sings mighty well. But I got nothin' else on that front. Better than even Keel & Grayson, however, is the dancing; which is brilliantly choreographed by Hermes Pan. I mean, the dancing is the BIG reason to tune in, here. Ann Miller hits the ground running with zeal, amazing moves, & an alluring glare that reels us in (I'm reminded of her come hither look she gives us in her "Too Darn Hot" number).
Other dancers of note in the film include Bob Fosse(!), Bobby Van, Carol Haney, Jeanne Coyne, & aforementioned Tommy Rall. Speaking of Rall, that is one dynamic dancer. His powerful, athletic presence really made me lean forward when he moved; and his singing scenes with Ann Miller impress, as well. This film features some snappy Cole Porter tunes which include: "Kiss Me Kate", "So In Love", "Wunderbar", "From this Moment On", & "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" (a silly duet sung/danced delightfully by gangsters, James Whitmore & Keenan Wynn). Director George Sidney keeps the proceedings moving swiftly. The colorful Elizabethan costumes, while not classically stellar, ARE eye-popping. I'm not the wildest fan of The Taming of the Shrew, but the way Sidney handles that play in the context of this musical is entertaining enough. There are some dull spots sprinkled throughout 'Kiss Me Kate', but nothing overly damning to the overall effect.