The Taming of the Shrew
About The Taming of the Shrew
Bianca's suitors get nowhere because Katherina drives them, a servant, and Bianca off. Katherina breaks a painting over her music teacher's head. Petruchio asks for her hand and forces the match while she attacks him. At the wedding she throws the ring. He carries her home, rejects the food and the new clothes, and beats the servants. Her father slaps Petruchio and tries to take her back. She returns to Petruchio and kisses him outdoors.
Cast & crew
More about The Taming of the Shrew
D. W. Griffith directed. He and Harry Solter wrote the adaptation of Shakespeare's play. G. W. Bitzer and Arthur Marvin photographed it. Shot on 1 and 7 October 1908 at Biograph's Manhattan studio and in Coytesville, New Jersey. Released 10 November 1908. Original length 1,048 feet, about 17 minutes at 16 frames per second. The first film of the play. A British production followed in 1911.
Themes
Background
Biograph in 1908 was still making one-reel Shakespeare. This is the earliest film of the comedy. The next, a British one, came in 1911.
In film history
The first screen version of Shakespeare's play.
Making
Two shooting days, one in the Manhattan studio and one in Coytesville, were enough for the whole play.
Look
G. W. Bitzer and Arthur Marvin split the photography between the studio and the Coytesville exterior.
Notes
- Florence Lawrence plays Katherina. Arthur V. Johnson plays Petruchio. Linda Arvidson plays Bianca.
- Harry Solter plays Katherina's father. Mack Sennett plays Petruchio's servant.
- Charles Avery is the music teacher.
- Gene Gauntier and Jeanie MacPherson are in the wedding party.
- The whip and the rejected meal are in this 17-minute cut, not only in later features.
Scenes
- Katherina breaks a painting over the music teacher's head.
- She throws the ring at the wedding, and Petruchio carries her off.
- Her father tries to take her home. She goes back to Petruchio and kisses him.
Influenced by
- The Taming of the Shrew (William Shakespeare)
