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Watch Kiss Me Kate Movie Online.
Movie Title: Kiss Me Kate Kiss Me Kate is available for streaming or downloading. |
After seeing this movie for the first time since its 3D release in 1953, it makes one wonder why MGM insists on holding up “Singin’ in the Rain” (a great treat in itself) as its best musical. KISS ME KATE is simply amazing — tight, funny, fast, colorful, full of the dry wit and wisdom of Cole Porter, and gloriously “musical”. To the crew’s credit, many lines are straight from Shakespeare’s original and the cast’s readings are as adroit as any from Old Vic, anywhere, any time. Hermes Pan’s and Bob Fosse’s dance numbers are so sizzling good you can’t take your eyes off the performance. It’s a must-have for dance fans. For comedy fans, the offstage antics that mirror the onstage situations are a fiendishly clever conceit. Only one regret: the original 3D photography was terrific, with perhaps the most brilliant color work of 50’s vintage. It’s a bit subdued in modern prints. But don’t let that deter you from enjoying this lively, literate, nearly perfect gem. Others have mentioned some of the more famous musical bits, but pay attention to Howard Keel’s brilliant comedic reading of “The Life That Once I Led” (which drew gleeful applause when I saw it in a New York cinema recently), and Miss Grayson’s rendition of “I Hate Men”, copied by every lady who’s tried it since 1953. Ann Miller’s dance numbers are easily her very best work, by far — and her “Too Darn Hot” was, at the time, almost too darn hot. Add veteran George Sindey’s directorial expertise (The Harvey Girls, Scaramouche, etc.) and Shakespeare’s own genius, and this becomes *THE* show for people who say they don’t like musicals!
“Kiss Me Kate” is Cole Porter’s charming update of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew”. It stars Kathryn Grayson as Lily Vanessi, a hyper-sensative diva of the stage who stars opposite her ex-husband (Howard Keel) and his new lover (Ann Miller). On their way to a hit show, the three repeatedly bump heads and egos, ultimately finding true love. Porter’s score for this musical is perhaps his finest, with such standards as “From This Moment On”, “Wunderbar” and the title track. “A” list performances throughout make “Kiss Me Kate” a real show stopper.
Unfortunately the same can’t be said for Warner Home Video’s dull looking transfer. Colors are muted, at time appearing bleached or, at the very least, weak. The same is true of the picture’s contrast and black levels. There is a haze that plagues the picture quality throughout and adds to its overly soft characteristic.
Now, about that – the visual characteristic is generally soft looking throughout (most likely the result of over use of noise reduction equipment used to master the DVD). On a 32 inch television screen the picture will merely appear generally soft. On a 65 inch monitor it looks down right blurry and at times incredibly out of focus.
I am really at a loss to explain why this movie looks this bad. Owning the laserdisc and, doing a side by side comparison, I can report that the laserdisc actually surpasses this DVD in all of the above mentioned catagories. Of course, no laserdisc can hold a candle to DVD, in its superior resolution capabilities, and this DVD is no exception. There is no edge enhancement, aliasing or fine detail shimmering to speak of. This movie has been remixed to 5.1 surround. It’s generally good, only suggesting a strident characteristic during brief interludes of dialogue or effects. The musical score is well represented.
Extras: Another all too short featurette on Cole Porter and the making of this movie – this one hosted by Ann Miller, but also featuring snippets from Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Tommy Rall and James Whitmore. A theatrical trailer and isolated music track are also worthy of mention.
Bottom Line: In light of Warner’s usually pristine efforts on DVD this transfer is a big disappointment and NOT recommended.
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