Film review Broadway meet Tunesmith Cole Porters slick and bawdy stage musical, "Kiss Me, Kate, has been turned Into a slick and gaudy filmuslcal In both a standard and 3-D leasing by M-G-M.-The 3-D Ansco color job was chosen for local release, and the polaroids are currently being handed out at Loews State Theater, where the film opened an exclusive run yesterday. Using Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew as a sub-plot In a story about two divorced thespl-ans who bring their personal squabbles Into their acting chores worked out entertainingly in the footllght version by playwrights Sam and Bella Spewack, and . this has been transferred virtually Intact to celluloid with the aid of screenwriter Dorothy Kingsley and director George Sidney. ON THE screen Broadway and the Bard do not mix quite so cozily as on the stage, but everyone works very hard to keep you from noticing this, and between Cedric Gibbons' high-voltage decor and Cole Porters ubiquituous tunes the film almost makes up in eye and ear appeal for what It has forfeited MILDRED NORTON and the Bard in 3-D musical of Its original aly naughtiness. As the feuding pair, Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson handle their roles superbly. Keel, a tall, handsome and resourceful actor, brings a fine sense of style to Ms lines that capitalizes on every humorous shading, and he sings In a nice, easy barilone that accents the wit or warmth of whatever song engages him. BIISS GRAYSON'S own vocal -equipment contributes notably to the melodic episodes, and In addition she manages a nice blend of the virago Kate of Shakespeares play, and the divorcee still subconsciously in love with her ex-husband. Ann Miller brings all her brunette vivacity to the role of Bianca, and makes her top song number. "Always True to You In My Fashion, a pleasant In- terlude. The fleet-footed Tommy Rail is ably teamed with her. Comedy touches are added by Keenan Wyann and James Whitmore as a pair of gangsters out to collect a gambling debt, and Kurt Kasznar Is amusing as Kate's father. Willard Parker plays the lanky Texan for whom Miss Grayson nearly deserts (Continued on Page 11, CoL 4)
