[notes 1] Inspired by William Shakespeare's play 'The Taming of the Shrew', it tells the tale of formerly married musical theater actors Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi, brought together to star opposite one another in the roles of Petruchio and Katherine in a Broadway musical version of Shakespeare's play.

Dorothy Kingsley's screenplay, which was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award, was adapted from the musical's book by Bella and Samuel Spewack.

The songs were by Cole Porter, with musical underscoring by Saul Chaplin and André Previn, who were nominated for an Oscar.

After a fiery confrontation during rehearsals, Fred and Lilli get together in her dressing room and reminisce about happier times ("Wunderbar").

Petruchio arrives, seeking a wife ("I've Come to Wive It Wealthily in Padua"), and when he hears of Katherine, he resolves to woo her.

When Petruchio serenades Katherine ("Were Thine That Special Face"), Lilli finally reads the card from the flowers.

The gambling debt is cancelled by the untimely death of Slug and Lippy's boss, so they stop interfering with Lilli's mid-performance departure from the theatre.

"[9] Variety opened its positive review by stating: "Metro's reputation for turning out top calibre musical pictures is further enhanced with Kiss Me Kate.

It's Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew done over in eminently satisfying fashion via a collaboration of superior song, dance and comedy talents.

"[10] Harrison's Reports called it "a lively and highly entertaining blend of comedy, music, dancing and romance.

"[11] John McCarten of The New Yorker was more dismissive, writing that it "does have some engaging tunes, but the book of the original has been so thoroughly laundered that little of the comedy, which ran to fairly bawdy stuff, remains, and Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel, as a bickering theatrical pair compelled to play opposite each other in Shakespeare, are lacking in vital juices.

"[12] Richard L. Coe of The Washington Post disliked the changes made to the stage version such as the reduction of "Another Op'nin" and "I Am Ashamed That Women Are So Simple," calling the film "a grand musical with lots of pleasures to recommend it.

"[14] In its opening at Radio City Music Hall, it grossed a below-par $130,000 for the week, although this was blamed on a snowstorm at the weekend.