Having already played Lily Vanessi on American television in 1959, original Broadway cast member Patricia Morison an opportunity to repeat that performance in this London television version that pairs her with the movie Fred, Howard Keel. They have as much chemistry as Morrison had with Alfred Drake 15 years before (and later on TV) and that Keel had with the movie Lili / Kate, Kathryn Grayson. Morison, as gorgeous as she was in her 1939 film debut 25 years before, is delightfully filled with fury as both characters, doing it in a hysterically funny manner. Kiel, bypassing the film staging, is perfectly in tune with the staging has done for television and sings beautifully with her. I easily could have seen them touring in this or "Kismet" which she had done on tour with Drake and that kill had done on film.
While the available print of this rarely-seen television version is rather dark and has a time code, it is a perfect version of a show that was celebrated with a successful 70th year anniversary revival on Broadway. The Cole Porter songs are well staged, with Millicent Martin perfect as second lead Lois Lane / Bianca add an unknown British actor / singer named Irving Davies as Bill / Petruchio. Keel and Morison do a wonderful version of "Wunderbar", and Morison's "So in Love" is quite profound.
While not traditionally beautiful, there is something extraordinary about the unique Millicent Martin who really knows how to make the most of her numbers, coming off almost as a younger version of Shirley MacLaine. The two gangsters are extremely funny and their moments on film are absolute scene stealers. There is a 60's rock beat done to the act two opening "Too Darn Hot" that is just as hot as the recent revival's show-stopping version. "Kiss Me Kate" is undoubtedly the most filmed Broadway musical (at least 5 television productions that I know of), and to find this one has been an absolute joy.
While the available print of this rarely-seen television version is rather dark and has a time code, it is a perfect version of a show that was celebrated with a successful 70th year anniversary revival on Broadway. The Cole Porter songs are well staged, with Millicent Martin perfect as second lead Lois Lane / Bianca add an unknown British actor / singer named Irving Davies as Bill / Petruchio. Keel and Morison do a wonderful version of "Wunderbar", and Morison's "So in Love" is quite profound.
While not traditionally beautiful, there is something extraordinary about the unique Millicent Martin who really knows how to make the most of her numbers, coming off almost as a younger version of Shirley MacLaine. The two gangsters are extremely funny and their moments on film are absolute scene stealers. There is a 60's rock beat done to the act two opening "Too Darn Hot" that is just as hot as the recent revival's show-stopping version. "Kiss Me Kate" is undoubtedly the most filmed Broadway musical (at least 5 television productions that I know of), and to find this one has been an absolute joy.
