Mary Pickford's corporation produced this early talking version of "Taming of the Shrew." So, naturally, Pickford played the female lead. And, naturally, her film business partner (and husband at the time), Douglas Fairbanks, has the male lead. Pickford later bemoaned her performance in this film. It isn't that bad, but it's quite different from the type of roles she was used to playing in her mostly silent film career.
Besides being one of the very first sound films, this version of the Shrew is more harsh than the original. Apparently, it is similar to the performance that the renowned British actor, David Garrick, staged. On film, it appears quite raw in places. The scene of Katherine traveling in the heavy storm, trudging through mud and soaked to the bone, is more in line with heavy drama than the comedy of most productions. And, the scenes inside Petruchio's castle, with his servants, the dinner and more - all are very raw.
But, this is still Shakespeare, and the comedy rises to the top like cream as the shrew gradually becomes tame. This isn't as much fun or with near the laughs of a more direct production or adaptation of Shakespeare's work. But it will do for an early look at a sound production.
One of the best on film is the 1967 movie that stars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.
Besides being one of the very first sound films, this version of the Shrew is more harsh than the original. Apparently, it is similar to the performance that the renowned British actor, David Garrick, staged. On film, it appears quite raw in places. The scene of Katherine traveling in the heavy storm, trudging through mud and soaked to the bone, is more in line with heavy drama than the comedy of most productions. And, the scenes inside Petruchio's castle, with his servants, the dinner and more - all are very raw.
But, this is still Shakespeare, and the comedy rises to the top like cream as the shrew gradually becomes tame. This isn't as much fun or with near the laughs of a more direct production or adaptation of Shakespeare's work. But it will do for an early look at a sound production.
One of the best on film is the 1967 movie that stars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.