This charming movie is one of my all-time favorites. Fred (Howard Keel) and Lilli (Kathryn Grayson) used to be married and spent a lot of time on stage together, starring in opposite roles. They’re divorced now, but when Cole Porter gives them a call to talk to them about a new musical version of “The Taming of the Shrew,” they are willing to put their differences aside for the sake of art. In fact, Fred decides to use the play as his opportunity to win Lilli back, and it would have worked, too, if not for the fact that he’s been courting Lois (Ann Miller) on the side. A bunch of flowers meant for Lois are delivered to Lilli’s dressing room, and when she reads the card, she decides to make Fred’s life miserable on stage, slapping him mercilessly and refusing to read her lines as written. He warns her that if she doesn’t behave herself, he’ll give her a sound thrashing in front of everyone, and he does, to the audience’s great delight – they think it’s all a part of the play. Lilli quits the play and begins packing.
Meanwhile, Lois’s admirer Bill has run up a gambling debt and he signed Fred’s name to the IOU. When the hired thugs come to collect, Fred sees his chance to keep Lilli around. He tells the thugs that if Lilli leaves, the play will go bust, and he won’t be able to pay them. The thugs put a scare into Lilli, pulling a gun on her and then donning costumes so they can follow her around on stage and make sure she does her job.
Of course, by the end it all gets straightened out. We are treated to some fabulous musical numbers, great dance routines courtesy of Ann Miller, and touching romantic moments. I highly recommend this movie for your viewing entertainment.
One comment – two years earlier, Grayson and Keel had starred together in “Show Boat.” In “Kiss Me Kate, Fred has pictures of himself and Lilli in the roles they performed together on top of his piano, and on close inspection, you can see that one of the pictures is of the two of them in “Show Boat.” It’s just to the left of Lilli as she’s singing their first duet right at the beginning of the movie.
Related Blogs:
And That’s Why They’re Called Classics!
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers