The Taming of the Shrew (1929) in Color — Starring Mary Pickford & Douglas Fairbanks

The Taming of the Shrew (1929) – Buy This Classic Shakespeare Comedy in Color

Experience the vibrant early talkie adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew (1929) in colorized HD. Directed by Sam Taylor, this lively romantic comedy features powerhouse performances by Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks as the battling Katherine and Petruchio. As one of the first sound Shakespeare films ever made, it holds a unique place in cinema history. Now available as a premium digital download for just €15.00 — DRM-free and yours to keep forever.

Plot Summary

In the Italian city of Padua, the wealthy Baptista (Edwin Maxwell) has two daughters with very different reputations. The younger Bianca (Dorothy Jordan) is sweet, gentle, and beloved by multiple suitors, while the elder Katherine (Mary Pickford) is notorious throughout the city for her fiery temper, sharp tongue, and violent outbursts that terrify every man who approaches. Baptista has decreed that Bianca cannot marry until Katherine has found a husband — a condition that seems impossible given Katherine’s ferocious disposition.

Enter Petruchio (Douglas Fairbanks), a bold and swaggering gentleman from Verona who arrives in Padua openly seeking a wealthy wife. Undaunted by warnings about Katherine’s fearsome temper, Petruchio declares he will woo and wed her. Their first meeting is an explosive battle of wills — Katherine hurls insults, throws furniture, and unleashes her considerable fury, while Petruchio matches her blow for blow with brazen confidence, backhanded compliments, and an unshakeable refusal to be intimidated. Despite Katherine’s protests, Petruchio arranges the wedding and arrives at the ceremony in deliberately outrageous attire.

After the marriage, Petruchio takes Katherine to his country estate where he embarks on his notorious ‘taming’ campaign. He denies her food and sleep under the pretence that nothing is good enough for his beloved wife, contradicts her at every turn, and creates such chaos that Katherine is forced to confront the consequences of her own behaviour. Through this absurd and combative courtship, something genuine begins to emerge between them — a mutual respect born of recognizing a worthy adversary. The film reaches its celebrated conclusion with Katherine’s famous submission speech, which Pickford delivers with a knowing wink that suggests the shrew has been tamed on her own terms, transforming Shakespeare’s problematic ending into something more playful and modern.

Cast & Crew

Director: Sam Taylor
Stars: Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Edwin Maxwell, Joseph Cawthorn, Clyde Cook, Dorothy Jordan

Mary Pickford brings remarkable energy and comedic timing to the role of Katherine, demonstrating her ability to transition from silent films to talkies with commanding vocal presence. Douglas Fairbanks is characteristically exuberant as Petruchio, bringing his famous physical dynamism and swashbuckling charm to Shakespeare’s most famous male chauvinist.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The sun-drenched Italian piazzas, ornate Renaissance interiors, and elaborate period costumes are beautifully enhanced through expert colorization. Rich fabrics, warm Mediterranean light, and the colourful chaos of Paduan street life gain vivid new dimensions. Now also available in colour. Own this landmark Shakespeare adaptation for €15.00 — a timeless addition to your classic film collection.

Historical Significance

The Taming of the Shrew was one of the earliest sound adaptations of Shakespeare and the only film to star the legendary husband-and-wife team of Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks together in a major production. The film is also famous for its notorious credit: ‘By William Shakespeare, with additional dialogue by Sam Taylor,’ which became a Hollywood joke for decades. Despite mixed reviews at the time, the film has grown in reputation as a fascinating time capsule of early sound cinema and as a showcase for two of the greatest stars of the silent era adapting to the new medium. Through colorization, this historically important Shakespeare adaptation has been preserved for modern audiences who value cinema history and classic comedic performances.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes – professionally colorized from the original black-and-white
• Audio: Original English mono soundtrack
• Runtime: Approximately 66 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes – no restrictions on playback
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is this the only film starring both Pickford and Fairbanks?
A: Yes. Despite being Hollywood’s most famous married couple, this is the only feature film that starred Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks together. Their off-screen chemistry translates into wonderfully combative on-screen sparring that makes this adaptation uniquely entertaining.

Q: Is this one of the first Shakespeare films with sound?
A: Yes. Released in 1929, it was among the very first sound adaptations of Shakespeare, marking a historic moment in the intersection of cinema and classical literature. The famous credit attributing ‘additional dialogue’ to Sam Taylor became an enduring Hollywood anecdote.

Q: How does the colorization enhance the Renaissance Italian setting?
A: The colorization transforms the Paduan sets into a vibrant Mediterranean world of warm earth tones, rich fabrics, and sunlit piazzas. The ornate costumes and elaborate interiors gain visual depth and period authenticity that make the setting feel authentically Italian Renaissance.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file in 720p HD resolution, compatible with all major devices and media players.

Q: Is there DRM on this download?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free, meaning you can watch it on any device without restrictions or expiration dates.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchasing?
A: Your download link is available immediately after payment. You can start watching within minutes of completing your purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• Secrets (1933)
• Romeo and Juliet (1936)
• The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (1928)
• Little Women (1933)
• Coquette (1929)