Kiss Me Kate (1953)

Even though much of Cole Porter’s adult entendres and lyrics were (mostly) bowdlerized for this adaptation, it’s still a glittering confection and one of the most enjoyable of the MGM musical library. A backstage musical with a terrific Cole Porter score, most of it surviving the trek from stage to screen. A battling divorced theatrical couple (Howard Keel, Kathryn Grayson) are reunited for a musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s TAMING OF THE SHREW. Keel is marvelous in his best film performance and even Grayson seems to rise to the occasion and only occasionally tortures us with her shrill soprano. In some of her numbers, specifically I Hate Men, she’s actually restrained and quite good. That tapping diva Ann Miller has one great solo Too Darn Hot and the film is blessed with a trio of sensational male dancers (Bob Fosse, Bobby Van, Tommy Rall). George Sidney (BYE BYE BIRDIE) directs and Hermes Pan did the expert choreography. With Keenan Wynn, James Whitmore, Kurt Kaszner, Ron Randell, Carol Haney and Ann Codee.