Howard Keel - A Tribute to His Movies and Music

One of my favorite actors from yesteryear is the wonderfully gifted Howard Keel. I say that not so much due to his acting skills than to his voice, but still, I never found him less than believable and always fell in a little in love with his characters. In fact, I still do.

1919-2004

He was a tall man with a broad chest who commanded the stage set around him. And once he opened his mouth, you couldn't help but love the melodies that poured forth in that deep, rich baritone voice. (And the man who produced said voice.)

Seriously, I could listen to the man sing the phone book and my heart would just be happy, as I sit there with a smile on my face.

Some of you might remember him from the days of Dallas, but to me, Howard Keel is a part of music and musical history, a singer who stands the test of time and makes us fall in love with musicals all over again. He's an integral part of my collection of yesteryear musicals, and so, I thought today that I would bring you a few of my favorite Howard Keel musical moments.

Howard Keel, Delores Grey, Unknown Man

Kismet (1955)

One of his most recent, and in my humble opinion, underrated musicals is Kismet, in which he plays a poet, trying to keep himself and his daughter alive in the streets of Baghdad many, many years ago. There are a multitude of twists and turns, each interesting if not a little implausible, but the end result is that sometimes fate has to step in and take a hand.

Unfortunately, this movie has yet to make it onto DVD, a fact that irritates me hugely. Luckily, I have it Tivoed, so I can go back and watch it whenever I want. But the music is beautiful and haunting, the scenery lovely, and the storyline keeps you interested, wondering what will happen next.

Bottom Line: Check it out if it's ever on tv or if you can find it on video somewhere.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is one of those musicals that was supposed to be considered a "B" movie yet, somehow, thanks to its music and cast, has managed to become a perennial favorite. There are several recognizable faces in the movie, including Russ Tamblyn (father of Amber Tamblyn of Joan of Arcadia and General Hospital), Jane Powell, star of many an MGM musical, and Julie Newmeyer, later famous for taking on the role of Catwoman in the 1960's Batman series.

The dancing is energetic, the scenery spectacular and there are great songs throughout the movie. I'm not particularly a fan of Jane Powell's voice, but the Barn Raising Scene is a classic among musicals. My sister and I used to sing the "Lonesome Polecat" song as well - it's haunting and gorgeous.

And so are the men of this movie. Some, to me anyway. Anyway, it's about Adam Pontepee, played by Howard Keel, who one day decides that it's about time he got married. So he waltzes into town, expecting the courtship process to be easy, and, somewhat unfortunately, he was right. Millie, played by Jane Powell, takes one look at him, falls in love, and marries him within the hour. The rest of the movie is about the trials and tribulations of not only Adam and Millie, but the other six Pontepee brothers - Benjamin (HOTTTIE), Caleb, Daniel, Ephraim, Frankencense, and Gideon. You'll have to watch it to find out how they got their names.

Bottom Line: Fabulous movie. Just skip Jane Powell's solos and you're good to go.

Kiss Me Kate (1953)

A take on the Shakespeare classic, The Taming of the Shrew, Kathryn Grayson plays the role to the hilt. She, too, has an amazing voice, but I'll save her for another day. Although, admittedly, she and Keel seem to often come as a pair and play off of one another, vocally and on stage, quite well.

The score is packed with Cole Porter songs, dances from Ann Miller (who has some amazing legs!), and fiesty tension between the two main players. In the movie, onstage they're performing The Taming of the Shrew, and, for the two main actors, it comes true behind the scenes as well. It's almost as if their onstage roles as Kate and Petruchio come over into the lives of the characters played by Keel and Grayson.

Bottom Line: The movie is solidly good, if a bit old-fashioned.

Howard Keel and Doris Day

Calamity Jane (1953)

This movie is utterly and completely fabulous. There are a few spots where I get irritated by the prescribed gender roles, but I love that overall, Calamity Jane (played by Day) overcomes them. Doris Day is just too freaking loveable and in this movie, she's wily, rascally, and incredibly fun. Her sparring partner is Wild Bill Hickok, played by Keel, and the two are most definitely in a love-hate relationship, usually with hate winning. They try to outshoot one another, out talk one another, and generally one up each other as much as possible.

But things get a little complicated when new people and emotions get involved...

Bottom Line: If you haven't see this, get off your butt and go rent it now. Or buy it. Cuz you should. At least watch the scene above and tell me that Keel doesn't have an AMAZING voice.

Show Boat (1951)

Yet another pairing of Keel and Grayson - the story is heart-rending, the music is haunting and lovely, and you wonder the whole time how things will go in the end. The cast features the gorgeous and amazing Ava Gardner, who plays the lonely Julie LaVerne, a woman of mixed race who everyone turns their backs on.

Except Magnolia, played by Kathryn Grayson. And, in the end, it's Julie who changes the story, who makes everyone looks twice at their lives.

It takes place on a showboat that floats up and down the Mississippi River, owned by Magnolia's parents. You might recognize her mother as Endora from Bewitched, Samantha's mom.

Kathryn Grayson & Howard Keel

Bottom Line: It's pretty good with some good music. If nothing else, just listen to "Make Believe" by Keel and Grayson. It's #1 on the playlist below.

Annie Get Your Gun (1950)

I bought this movie expecting to absolutely love it and I have to say that I was disappointed. It's good some decent music - There's No Business Like Show Business, Doin' What Comes Nat'rally - but overall, I think it was Betty Hutton herself that irritated me. She's very brash in the movie and a little too lovestruck.

However, this movie does deserve a mention, if for no other reason that Judy Garland was supposed to originally play Annie. I'm not sure I would have liked it more, but I would have loved Judy anyway!

As always, Keel has a gorgeous voice and his songs take advantage of that fact. But I had trouble watching some of his scenes because Hutton just stares love-sickly at him. I know that's how she's supposed to be acting, but it drove me to distraction.

Bottom Line: Should have had Judy Garland. Surprise, surprise.