Page 12 - 2022-06

After all the problems assembling a cast for
Kiss Me Kate, producer David Cummings of
MGM had at last succeeded. It was not to be
his dreamed of cast with Laurence Olivier and
Deanna Durbin in the leading roles, but it
certainly ended up a very attractive one.

Both Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel were
experienced singers, had worked together be-
fore and got along well (unlike with Mario
Lanza). As for Ann Miller, she was not only an
excellent dancer but had a spectacular figure
Not Olivier, nor Deanna, so Cummings started which would provide sex-appeal, and looked
anew, and after many considerations, in wonderful in color. Her role was given more
October that same year, Kathryn Grayson was importance. The iconic “Too Darn Hot”
finally cast as Lilli. number, for an example, was sung in the stage
play by a chamber aid. Who does not remem-
Now, for the leading man. He should have a ber her fast-taping on the table in that hot pink
singing voice, if possible, now that the sizzling suit? It was her favorite role.
Shakespearean fame had been left aside. It was
Miss Grayson herself who suggested Howard
Keel. They had previously worked together in
Show Boat (1951 version) directed by George
Sidney, who was also going to direct Kiss Me
Kate. Jack Cummings was at first reluctant, as
he had Danny Kaye in mind who was a better
comedian and who could sing too, in his way.
But Kathryn and Stevens convinced him to
give Howard a screen test. The first one wasn´t
very good, according to Keel himself; then he
worked with Shakespearean actor Lou Calhern Ann Miller performs the iconic Too Darn Hot
and make-up and dress departments; and after
Cummings watched this test he got the role. Then there were the dancers: Tommy Rall,
Bobby Van and Bob Fosse. Choreographer
Hermes Pan encouraged them to create on
their own. Charles Rosher was chief camera-
Now, at last, the picture could be made. man. Walter Plunkett designed the wardrobe,
and Cedric Gibbons and Urie McCleary under-
took art direction.

12 REEL DEALS June 2022