Page 14 - 2022-06

In 1953 MGM had issued its first 3D with
Arena, a rodeo story with Gig Young and Jean
Hagen. Now Kiss Me Kate would be their best
3D, and with a first-rate star cast.
3D technique required two big heavy stereo-
scopic cameras shooting two complementary
left-right reels, which had to be viewed with
polarized glasses to achieve the in-depth ef-
fect. In addition, MGM filmed Kate in three
different screen ratios (1.66, 1.75 and 1.85
widths) simultaneously, to cover the various
widescreen standards of the time, because not
all theatres had room enough for the biggest A promotional still for the film - promoting the 3D
ones. effect. Note the actors appear to have come out
of the screen and are in the audience
Charles Rosher, experienced chief cameraman
(responsible for such wonderful light effects as And that´s how we all lost the chance to see
in Mary Pickford´s Sparrows), and director our dear Deanna not only in wonderful color,
George Sidney worked together to compose but in what might have been the icing on the
every shot three different ways at the same cake: tri-dimensional!
time for each of these widths. They built addi-
tional ceilings or floors and added some in a Who knows, if she might have watched Kiss
forced perspective; they also moved fore- Me Kate in 3D in one of her visits to the States.
grounds and back-grounds away from the ac- We can imagine her as Lilli in some sequenc-
tors, to enhance perception of depth. To ensure es, as Kathryn Grayson´s flaming long hair
presentation in the correct ratio and avoid when in costume resembled the style Deanna
confusion in the projection booth, reel bands used to wear when she worked for Universal.
on each print had the minimum, maximum and
preferred aspect ratio specified on them. MGM Reproduced from the Deanna Durbin Society News-
recommended the 1.75 ratio. letter.
Shooting started in the spring of 1953. Yet, My thanks to the author Sonia Sarró for permission
once Kiss Me Kate was completed and re- to reprint her article in Reel Deals.
leased in late November and premièred at the
Radio City Music Hall, the 3D rage had reced- References ;
ed, and many cinemas would only show one https://mainstreamspanking.wordpress.com/2017
reel, as the usual 2D. BUT…if you have been /09/10/kiss-me-kate-1953/
fortunate enough to have watched this jewel, www.classicmoviehub.com/facts-and-
now issued on 3D Blu-ray… I assure you it´s trivia/film/kiss-me-kate-1953/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=w24Tf_YwAxs Phan-
one of the best 3D pictures ever made, with tom of the Opera 1925 made stereoscopic
vibrant colors, classy pop-ups, wonderful http://www.3dfilmarchive.com/home/widescreen-
lighting and set design, bold camera move-
documentation Everything on 3D classic films and
ments back-and-forth which create amazing coming releases
surrounding effects and a sense of being inside www.stereoscopynews.com/hotnews/history/pre
the film as part of the audience, good timing, history/2756-1924-phantom-of-the-opera-online-
sense of humor, breathtaking innovative dance in-3d
numbers, and thoroughly good performances www.youtube.com/watch?v=QokuXS6sKOo Cole
from all of the cast. A pure joy! Porter in Hollywood: Too darn hot (making of Kiss
me Kate)

14 REEL DEALS June 2022