Harold Keel (April 13, 1919 – November 7, 2004). While living in London, Keel made his film debut in, The Small Voice (1948), released in the US as, Hideout. In the film he played an escaped convict holding a playwright and his wife hostage in their English cottage.
From London, Howard ended up at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer making his film musical debut in the film, Anne Get Your Gun (1950). Howard Keel, plays the part perfectly as rival sharpshooter Frank Butler, who becomes jealous whenever Annie, his love interest, becomes more famous than he does.
Show Boat (1951). Howard Keel's, voice was in perfect form, and he did a great job playing the gambler, Gaylord Ravenal.
Kiss Me Kate (1953). Keel and Grayson, are excellent in this film, inspired by, The Taming of the Shrew. It is a story about musical theater actors, Fred Graham and Lilli Vanessi, who were once married and now on such bad terms, that threatens the production's success.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). Had many memorable musical numbers and fabulous choreography. Harold Keel, plays the eldest of seven brothers who decides that living with six bachelor brothers and horrible cooking, is not the way he wants to live. Nobody, can believe it when Milly agrees to marry him on the same day they meet.
Adam, quickly learns that a wife, is more than a cooking and cleaning and how his actions can effect others. Milly, also learns that her plans don't always work out the way you first thought. The six brothers, learn that you can't just take what you want. The brides, are quite taken with the brothers, until the brothers decide to kidnap them and that is when the real trouble begins. But mostly, this is a wonderful musical and one of my favorite Howard Keel's films.
Please click here to view Seven Brides for Seven Brothers movie review.
Kismet (1955).If you are a big fan of Mr. Keel, you will love this musical. The beautiful music, romance and adventure make this a fun film.
On loan at Warner Brothers, Keel played Wild Bill Hickok in, Calamity Jane (1953), a Oscar-winning musical starring Doris Day. The film was Warner Brothers' answer to Annie Get Your Gun.
Esther Williams and Howard Keel, made 3 films together: (1950) Pagan Love Song,(1951) Texas Carnival and (1955)Jupiter's Darling. Please click here to learn more about Esther Williams and Howard Keel.
Click here to read moview review for the film: Lovely To Look At.
As America's taste in entertainment changed, finding jobs became more difficult for Keel and his film career faded.
Personal Quote:
"When I found out that I could carry a tune, well, I came to realize that I had a gift, that it was a kind of a blessing. And I think if you're given something special, you ought to try and give that something back. If you don't, it's a sin. No question".
Back in the 80's, he was on the TV show Dallas. My grandmother, who had watched all his movies, always kept expecting him to "break into song" each week. She loved his voice!!
ReplyDeleteI love Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, though, of course, Adam is quite the pain for much of the movie.
Back in the 80s Howard Keel and Jane Powell toured in productions of "South Pacific" and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" and, fortunately, Toronto was one of their stops. When Howard sang "Some Enchanted Evening" and "Bless Your Beautiful Hide", you could sense every woman in the audience sighing contentedly. I grin just remembering.
ReplyDeletePatti, I loved reading about your Howard Keel, memories. Can you believe that I have never watched the TV show Dallas?
ReplyDeleteCaftan Woman, I also loved reading about your Howard Keel, memories. You are so lucky to have seen, Howard Keel and Jane Powell, in person!! I bet it was an amazing evening..