As
movie adaptations of Broadway musicals go, KISS ME KATE ($20) is
certainly one of the most enchanting. Because KISS ME KATE is a
show within a show and primarily stage bound, there was a potential for
the action to stagnate. However, director George Sidney and choreographer
Hermes Pan invigorated the MGM adaptation of KISS ME KATE with
lively staging- some of which was intended for the film’s intended 3D
showings. Probably more important than the film’s lively direction is
Cole Porter’s bubbly score for KISS ME KATE, which features some
of his most delightful songs. Brush up Your Shakespeare, Too
Darn Hot, Always True to You (In My Fashion), Why
Can't You Behave?, Wunderbar, So in Love,
Tom, Dick, or Harry and I Hate Men are all
dynamically melodious examples of Porter’s wit and musical range.
The
plot of KISS ME KATE concerns a musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, which is to open on Broadway starring
recently divorced theater couple Lilli Vanessi (Kathryn Grayson) and Fred
Graham (Howard Keel). Bringing the baggage of their failed relationship to
the production certainly helps with the antagonistic quality that exists
between Shakespeare’s characters Katherine and Petruchio, as portrayed
by Lilli and Fred. A real backstage drama occurs on opening night, when
Lilli inadvertently receives the flowers Fred intended for his new
"protégé" Lois Lane (Ann Miller), causing Lilli's temper to
explode out onto the stage during the performance. Further complicating
the opening night theatrics is the arrival of two hoodlums that attempt to
extract a gambling debt from Fred, although it actually belongs to Lois’
boyfriend Bill Calhoun (Tommy Rall).
The
performances in KISS ME KATE are generally delightful, Howard Keel
brings the perfect egotistical swagger to the dual role of Fred/Petruchio,
plus he and leading lady Kathryn Grayson demonstrate the same chemistry
that they generated in their earlier teaming for SHOW BOAT.
Providing the film’s most memorable performances are Keenan Wynn and
James Whitmore, who are at their scene-stealing best as the two hoodlums
that pass along the clever musical advice to Brush up Your
Shakespeare. KISS ME KATE also features Ann Miller at her
comedic best as the flirtatious Lois, not to mention Miller's amazing gams
and incredible tap dancing. Speaking of dancing, Hermes Pan’s
choreography is uniformly excellent; plus for the film’s finale Pan
allowed featured dancers Tommy Rall, Bobby Van and the legendary Bob Fosse
to devise their own routines to showcase their particular dancing styles.
Warner
Home Video has made KISS ME KATE available on DVD in a really
good-looking transfer that frames the film in a 1.37:1 full screen aspect
ratio. This 2D presentation of KISS ME KATE provides the cleanest,
sharpest looking home version that I’ve seen thus far. KISS ME KATE
came late in the fifties 3D cycle, with only half the prints actually
being issued in that format, so this presentation accurately reflects what
half the original audience saw in theaters. Produced in Ansco Color and
released in Technicolor, the transfer comes fairly close to capturing the
"flavor" of the original imbibition print. Hues are generally
vibrant and warmly saturated, with no appreciable noise or fuzziness.
There are some inconsistencies in the optical fades, but color
reproduction remains generally pleasing throughout. Blacks appear
accurate, whites are clean and contrast is fairly smooth. The film element
used for the transfer is very clean, although the image does contain a
noticeable grain structure. Digital compression artifacts are always well
concealed.
For
this release KISS ME KATE comes with an upgraded Dolby Digital 5.1
channel sound mix. Considering that KISS ME KATE was released in
1953, the audio component is pretty impressive. Fidelity is good, although
a bit brassy sounding in the upper register. Additionally, the track is
free from background hiss and audible anomalies. Stereo separation isn’t
as pronounced as it is in tracks recorded just a couple of years later,
but it is fairly nice. The surround channels contain some ambient and
musical fill, as well as a handful of detectable active effects. Dialogue
is always cleanly rendered and fully understandable. Vocals recorded for
the songs have a bit more warmth than their spoken counterparts, but the
difference isn’t too significant. No other language tracks are encoded
onto the DVD, although English and French subtitles are provided.
Music
underscores the basic interactive menus, which feature access to the
standard scene selection and set up features, as well as a few nice
supplements. Starting things off is a music only track for those wanting
to enjoy the film's delightful score. Cole Porter In Hollywood: Too
Darn Hot is a nine-minute program hosted by Ann Miller that looks
at the film production of KISS ME KATE and features brief
interviews with Howard Keel, Kathryn Grayson, Tommy Rall and James
Whitmore, all of whom reminisce about the movie. Also included on the DVD
is Mighty Manhattan: New York's Wonder City a vintage two
reel documentary that offers a circa 1949 tour of the metropolis.
Production notes and a theatrical trailer close out the supplements.
KISS
ME KATE is a genuine musical delight that has been released under
Warner’s Classic Musicals Collection banner. The DVD looks and
sounds very good and should please both movie buffs and musical theater
fans. Recommended.
As
movie adaptations of Broadway musicals go, KISS ME KATE ($20) is
certainly one of the most enchanting. Because KISS ME KATE is a
show within a show and primarily stage bound, there was a potential for
the action to stagnate. However, director George Sidney and choreographer
Hermes Pan invigorated the MGM adaptation of KISS ME KATE with
lively staging- some of which was intended for the film’s intended 3D
showings. Probably more important than the film’s lively direction is
Cole Porter’s bubbly score for KISS ME KATE, which features some
of his most delightful songs. Brush up Your Shakespeare, Too
Darn Hot, Always True to You (In My Fashion), Why
Can't You Behave?, Wunderbar, So in Love,
Tom, Dick, or Harry and I Hate Men are all
dynamically melodious examples of Porter’s wit and musical range.
The
plot of KISS ME KATE concerns a musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, which is to open on Broadway starring
recently divorced theater couple Lilli Vanessi (Kathryn Grayson) and Fred
Graham (Howard Keel). Bringing the baggage of their failed relationship to
the production certainly helps with the antagonistic quality that exists
between Shakespeare’s characters Katherine and Petruchio, as portrayed
by Lilli and Fred. A real backstage drama occurs on opening night, when
Lilli inadvertently receives the flowers Fred intended for his new
"protégé" Lois Lane (Ann Miller), causing Lilli's temper to
explode out onto the stage during the performance. Further complicating
the opening night theatrics is the arrival of two hoodlums that attempt to
extract a gambling debt from Fred, although it actually belongs to Lois’
boyfriend Bill Calhoun (Tommy Rall).
The
performances in KISS ME KATE are generally delightful, Howard Keel
brings the perfect egotistical swagger to the dual role of Fred/Petruchio,
plus he and leading lady Kathryn Grayson demonstrate the same chemistry
that they generated in their earlier teaming for SHOW BOAT.
Providing the film’s most memorable performances are Keenan Wynn and
James Whitmore, who are at their scene-stealing best as the two hoodlums
that pass along the clever musical advice to Brush up Your
Shakespeare. KISS ME KATE also features Ann Miller at her
comedic best as the flirtatious Lois, not to mention Miller's amazing gams
and incredible tap dancing. Speaking of dancing, Hermes Pan’s
choreography is uniformly excellent; plus for the film’s finale Pan
allowed featured dancers Tommy Rall, Bobby Van and the legendary Bob Fosse
to devise their own routines to showcase their particular dancing styles.
Warner
Home Video has made KISS ME KATE available on DVD in a really
good-looking transfer that frames the film in a 1.37:1 full screen aspect
ratio. This 2D presentation of KISS ME KATE provides the cleanest,
sharpest looking home version that I’ve seen thus far. KISS ME KATE
came late in the fifties 3D cycle, with only half the prints actually
being issued in that format, so this presentation accurately reflects what
half the original audience saw in theaters. Produced in Ansco Color and
released in Technicolor, the transfer comes fairly close to capturing the
"flavor" of the original imbibition print. Hues are generally
vibrant and warmly saturated, with no appreciable noise or fuzziness.
There are some inconsistencies in the optical fades, but color
reproduction remains generally pleasing throughout. Blacks appear
accurate, whites are clean and contrast is fairly smooth. The film element
used for the transfer is very clean, although the image does contain a
noticeable grain structure. Digital compression artifacts are always well
concealed.
For
this release KISS ME KATE comes with an upgraded Dolby Digital 5.1
channel sound mix. Considering that KISS ME KATE was released in
1953, the audio component is pretty impressive. Fidelity is good, although
a bit brassy sounding in the upper register. Additionally, the track is
free from background hiss and audible anomalies. Stereo separation isn’t
as pronounced as it is in tracks recorded just a couple of years later,
but it is fairly nice. The surround channels contain some ambient and
musical fill, as well as a handful of detectable active effects. Dialogue
is always cleanly rendered and fully understandable. Vocals recorded for
the songs have a bit more warmth than their spoken counterparts, but the
difference isn’t too significant. No other language tracks are encoded
onto the DVD, although English and French subtitles are provided.
Music
underscores the basic interactive menus, which feature access to the
standard scene selection and set up features, as well as a few nice
supplements. Starting things off is a music only track for those wanting
to enjoy the film's delightful score. Cole Porter In Hollywood: Too
Darn Hot is a nine-minute program hosted by Ann Miller that looks
at the film production of KISS ME KATE and features brief
interviews with Howard Keel, Kathryn Grayson, Tommy Rall and James
Whitmore, all of whom reminisce about the movie. Also included on the DVD
is Mighty Manhattan: New York's Wonder City a vintage two
reel documentary that offers a circa 1949 tour of the metropolis.
Production notes and a theatrical trailer close out the supplements.
KISS
ME KATE is a genuine musical delight that has been released under
Warner’s Classic Musicals Collection banner. The DVD looks and
sounds very good and should please both movie buffs and musical theater
fans. Recommended.