Taming of the Shrew?

Hollywood offers some interesting versions of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew.

Kiss Me Kate is a 1953 musical that frankly I haven't seen in a number of years. I am not sure how today's audiences would relate to it.

10 Things I Hate About You is more recent and definitely something today's teens can relate to. (Actors include Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger.) Unfortunately it is PG-13 "for crude sex-related humor and dialogue, alcohol and drug-related scenes, all involving teens." Though Shakespeare might not be offended by the bawdy humor, today's parents very well might. So showing this film in the classroom would probably require some sort of signed permission slip. Or there might be a possibility of purchasing one of those "sanitized for the classroom versions." (If I come across a distributor, I'll post it.)

Moonlighting (one of my favorite shows of all time) had an episode during its third season entitled "Atomic Shakespeare." It is an updated, non-sexist version which is very entertaining to watch. The humor remains bawdy, however, it is suitable for television, so there shouldn't be any problems showing this episode in class. (Students may enjoying seeing Bruce Willis back when he had hair.) And Season 3 is now out on DVD.