Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageKiss Me Kate (1953)
Director: George Sidney
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
Cole Porter's amazing score wasn't the only standout when this tricksy backstage/onstage parallel version of The Taming of the Shrew first appeared. Contemporary fashion caused Sidney the headache of shooting in both 3-D and 'flat' formats, and he accentuated the planes of artifice by employing a succession of frames within frames (doors, windows, proscenia) and, for the stage scenes, shooting head-on from something like the third row of the 'audience'. The Chinese box play-within-a-play construction is worked out to a tee, and even extends to Randell playing a character called Cole Porter, scoring a Broadway musical. Brilliantly choreographed by Hermes Pan, Ann Miller's dance numbers (variously partnered by Rall, Fosse and Van) are the champagne that go with the film.Author: PT
Cast & crew
Director: George Sidney
Producer: Jack Cummings
Cast: Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ann Miller, Keenan Wynn, James Whitmore, Tommy Rall, Bob Fosse, Bobby Van, Ron Randell full cast
Genre(s): Musicals
Duration: 109 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now