Friday, February 12, 2021

MOVIE WEEKEND: KISS ME KATE

 Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

Recently when I felt a bit down, I watched a classic movie––Kiss Me Kate (1953; I recorded it from Turner Classic Movies; also available on some streaming services for $2.99 to $3.99). 

Kiss Me Kate features a musical within a musical. Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson perform as Fred and Lilli––two divorced, battling actors––but also as Petruchio and Katherine in a musical based on The Taming of
The Shrew.

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

Ann Miller plays Fred's new "girlfriend," Lois, to whom he gives the part of Bianca. 

While I appreciate Keel's rich baritone and Grayson's sweet coloratura soprano, it was Ann Miller's dancing that had me tapping my toes. 

Here, Miller and company perform From This Moment On, which includes Bob Fosse's first on-film choreography danced by Fosse and Carol Haney. 


Kiss Me Kate was originally filmed in 3D. That's why you see the actors throwing stuff directly at the camera.

I hope you have a great weekend.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

34 comments:

  1. Why are all those gay guys dancing with that dame?

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    1. Bob Fosse wasn't gay. I don't know about the others.

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  2. And why don't we have great musicals and dancing anymore?

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    1. We don't have an MGM, where they nurtured that talent. Of course, they abused their power, so there's that.

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  3. Have a great weekend, and get WDW's to wait on you hand and foot and...well, yeah.

    Love you.

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  4. Fun is a severely underrated necessity isn't it? I am so glad you found some - even if it involved a bit of time travelling.

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  5. I ADORE MGM musicals... this was one of my faves! Early Fosse ~ brilliant!
    TFS!!

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  6. I enjoy all the stars in this...but Ann Miller is the greatest joy of that and every movie. I'm a HUGE fan of Anne Miller... and her hair.

    Of course.

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  7. Ahh, I am a big Ann Miller fan! I miss musicals.

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    1. I'm grateful for Turner Classic Movies and streaming services.

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  8. That was an era to behold--LOL! :)
    Hope you are feeling well. Have a great weekend. :)

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  9. I haven't seen this in years. I remember things being thrown at the camera and thinking it was bizarre! Thanks for clearing that up!

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  10. And you have a great weekend too, Janie. And what does WDW stand for?

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    Replies
    1. Willy Dunne Wooters--a man I used to date whose name was actually Ralph.

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  11. I've seen "Kiss Me Kate" on the stage but I'm not sure I've ever seen the movie. I'll check it out! I love technicolor '50s gems like this!

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    1. This movie is one of my favorites. Ann Miller does It's Too Darn Hot.

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  12. I know the actors, but have never seen this movie. ann miller could dance the pants off anyone! as my spouse's late BFF put it, "ann has legs for days".

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  13. Love this scene from Kiss Me, Kate! It’s an excellent dance routine and you can see Fosse’s style when he dances with Carol Haney. I do love this film especially Keenan Wynn and the leads are great singers, no doubt about it. Tommy Rall, Ann Miller’s dance partner here, just died last year. I wonder if the lady who is dancing with Bobby Van is still alive? I have to look this up.

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    1. It's interesting to see Fosse's early choreography, which remained the same--with additions, of course. Jeannie Coyne dances with Bobby Van. She was Gene Kelly's second wife.

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  14. Thank you for a great preview.
    I am my husband's care giver and I rarely get to watch any thing fully. He needs me for things almost every ten mts.

    Just want to wish you Happy Valentines and hope that all is well with you and your loved ones.

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    Replies
    1. It's hard to watch with frequent interruptions.

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  15. The dance video made me wish I could dance!!!! Thanks for sharing it, Janie! We watched "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" last night. It was awesome! Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Stay dry! Hugs to you!

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    1. I like that movie. Mr. Rogers was a great man.

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  16. Gotta love the way Ann Miller could move1

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    Replies
    1. Another Ann Miller highlight in Kiss Me Kate is Too Darn Hot.

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