I'll be honest--up until about halfway through this one, I wasn't all that impressed. It wasn't bad--just not all that good. However, the film started to gel and got much better as it progressed--and overall is an excellent musical. So, stick with it--it's worth the wait.

I assumed (incorrectly) that this was just a musical version of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew". However, and here's the weird twist, it's a film about a Broadway production of "Taming of the Shrew" and there are some parallels between the off-stage antics and the play. Not surprisingly, this was originally a Broadway play--a very, very successful one.

It starts off with Howard Keel meeting with Cole Porter to discuss the play--only, in an odd twist, it's an actor playing Porter and why they didn't have Porter play himself is beyond me. They talk about having Keel's ex-wife (Katherine Grayson) co-star with him in the play--but she hates him. So, using another lady (Ann Miller),they manipulate her into taking the role. But not so fast--Grayson's character hates Keel's so much that she's constantly threatening to walk off--even in the middle of the show.

What helped me to like the film (most of which consists of their opening night) is the addition of a goofy subplot involving gambling debts and a couple of mobsters (Keenan Wynn and James Whitmore). They are great--quite funny and their terrible singing and dancing was the best part of the film (I REALLY liked their song "Brush Up Your Shakespeare"--the lyrics are great). Overall, a clever film that had few brilliant tunes but enough going for it to keep you happy. Well worth your time--even if some of Tommy Rall's lip syncing was really off.

Seriously, Kiss Me Kate is a truly splendid movie. My only complaint is that there are one or two slow scenes in the middle half. People might say it just lacks the energy and pizazz of a musical like Singin' In the Rain, maybe so. Singin' In the Rain is one of those wonderful, energetic and irresistible films. But Kiss Me Kate sparkles in a truly delightful and somewhat unique way, not only in the production values but in its performances, music and choreography.

The film looks absolutely fabulous. The cinematography is fluid, the sets colourful and the costumes lavish. Director George Sidney is right at home here, and makes splendid use of his stars by using cleverly disguised long takes. The music and songs by Cole Porter is outstanding, from a musical AND choreographic point of view Too Darn Hot and Brush Up Your Shakespeare have always stood out for me. The plot reads of a musical version of Taming of the Shrew, and is very effective.

The choreography is energetic and never pedestrian. And the performances are wonderful. I can never get enough of Howard Keel, he just has a charming screen persona and a beautiful singing voice. Here, as Fred he has rarely been better. As Lisa, Kathryn Grayson looks stunning and acts "difficult" perfectly. Comic gangsters James Whitmore and Keenan Wynn are also great in the saucy waltz Brush Up Your Shakespeare, but with Too Darn Hot it is Ann Miller who steals the show. All in all, splendid. 9/10 Bethany Cox

The beloved Cole Porter stage musical was adapted to the screen in 1953, starring Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson, the dynamite duo who won audience's hearts in Showboat two years prior. I don't know how it's possible, but the finished result of Kiss Me Kate is terrible. It's so bad, I didn't buy a copy to keep on my musical film shelf, which boasts over twenty classics.

Kathryn Grayson, normally beautiful, endearing, and possessing a gorgeous soprano voice, is extremely disappointing. She wears a terribly unflattering wig, and the hair color and style make audiences forget how pretty she is. She tries to belt "I Hate Men" and it just doesn't work. Ann Miller takes the second lead and absolutely ruins the part. Kiss Me Kate is a musical adaptation of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, and the part of Bianca is normally sweet, adorable, and irresistible. I've never liked Ann Miller; her conceit and dance style always rubbed me the wrong way. She turns Bianca into an arrogant, stage-hogging character with extended dance sequences that bore the audience to tears. However, if you feel differently about Ann Miller, you'll obviously feel differently about what she does to the role.

The good news is there's nothing wrong with Howard Keel's performance. As you can imagine, he's wonderful in the role of Fred. Fred has to be larger than life, just as much an actor onstage as he is off; he's charming, boisterous, and it doesn't hurt if he's handsome. Howard Keel earns his title as the king of musicals, giving all the elements of a wonderful performance despite his lackluster costars. His timing is impeccable, and he sells a song with his expressions as well as his beautiful voice.

If you can find a taped version of a live production of Kiss Me Kate-there are several out there-you can give one of those a try for a better rendition. It really is a cute musical, but the 1953 film doesn't showcase it properly. I'm a bit biased, though. I've seen tapes of my mom playing both the Kathryn Grayson and Ann Miller roles onstage; it's no wonder I was so critical of the film's leading ladies. I know what it looks like when it's done properly!