Movie Review: Kiss Me Kate (1953)

I knew that this was a Shakespeare adaptation of 'The Taming of the Shrew' and that was about all.  It is actually about actors putting on the play and it's one of those clever stories where the tones from the play are reflected in the actors' lives.  So, kind of like Black Swan, only not so dramatic and with more songs.

The story keeps you hooked by making the two lead actors of the play a divorced couple.  The back and forth of the will-they/won't they? is always intriguing.  Are they terrible for each other and better off apart or are they so terrible that they deserve each other?  There's also another love triangle that's fun to watch play out-mostly because of more awful people!

There are several other reasons to watch this.  Ann Miller's dance numbers for one.  I was in awe.  That's freaking talent.  Also, there's this whole background storyline pertaining to a mob boss and these two gangsters who come to collect on his debt.  They are stereotypical on purpose and it only gets better as the story progresses.  Priceless.  Lastly, Howard Keel is the bees knees!  He's one of the few men I can think of that has a deep baritone voice and decided to use it to make musicals.  He never doesn't seem manly, tights or no, and you just have to respect that.

MEMORABLE SCENE:
Yeah, so it's either "I Hate Men" or "Where Is the Life That Late I Led."  The stars were just so good in their solo songs.

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

RATING:
Has definitely become a favorite and I already love musicals, so...8 out of 10.