Kiss Me Kate (DVD, 2003)

Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson are convincing as a divorced couple who are appearing in a Broadway play about courting each other. The two's bickering is what the movie is all about while they play a Shakespearean couple in a musical Taming of the Shrew, who are courting in 1600's Padua, Italy. Ann Miller dances to the hilt in a supporting role as the sister in the play who wants to get married but can't until her older sister finds a husband. In a subplot, Keenan Wynn plays a mobster who thinks that Howard Keel owes a gambling debt.

The movie is full of satisfying dancing and singing. Cole Porter's songs are the focus of the music. "So In Love", "Tom, Dick, or Harry", "I'll Be True to You in My Fashion", and "Too Darn Hot" are some of the songs from the movie. "From this Moment On" was not in the Broadway play but is included in the movie.

If you are turned off by continuous singing and dancing, you would not like the movie. However, if you appreciate the arts, this is a wonderful experience and is not overdone. It actually has a good plot and is not just a play arranged around a lot of songs. Keel's and Grayson's voices are wonderful. Miller's dancing ability cannot be matched. And finally, it is truly funny and genuinely artistic.

If you enjoy musicals, this should be one on top of your to see list. It's a delightful film to watch and very entertaining. Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel form a terrific match together with their humor, singing, fighting, and wit. The dancing, the singing, the comedy, the characters, and the sets all add up to one wonderful film.

Unlike many musicals which have weak plots, this movie retains a strong story that keeps things flowing and interesting. This is also one of the few musicals that has a lot of songs packed into it to keep it lively but enough dialogue in between to not get overwhelmed. Also unlike many musical films, this one stays true to its original stage production retaining all the Cole Porter songs with one added. The choreography and the dancers are also amazing. This film has really held up over time.

This Kiss Me Kate DVD also has some great added features you'll want to watch which make it a must buy. I highly recommend this.

I first saw the movie in the 50's when I was in college taking Shakespear and it was a big deal then. I was delighted to find that it still had the same freshness and excellent color as it had then. Great film.

The content is fabulous. FABULOUS. However watch out, copies poorly made from VHS are being marketed from China, with very poor visuals.

My mom wanted this movie for Christmas and since it is not a very popular title, alternative means of aquiring it were necessary. It was a hit! The family (especially mom) really enjoyed the movie. Great quality.

Howard Keel is at his best and the comic relief of the "mobsters" and their familiarity with Shakespeare is wonderful. I actually got my husband to watch it and he completely enjoyed it.