High Society (1956)

In this musical re-make of "The Philadelphia Story" (1940), multi-millionaire songwriter Bing Crosby (as C.K. Dexter-Haven) is still in love with princess-like ex-wife Grace Kelly (as Tracy Samantha "Sam" Lord), but she is planning to marry another man. Arriving to cover the "High Society" wedding is Spy magazine reporter Frank Sinatra (as Mike Connor). Mr. Sinatra also falls in love with Ms. Kelly. With her fiancé John Lund (as George Kittredge) and Mr. Crosby, Kelly is torn between three loves. And, Sinatra doesn't seem to notice that photographer Celeste Holm (as Liz Imbrie) is his perfect love match...

At times, Kelly imitates the inimitable Katharine Hepburn. In real life, Kelly married a prince and retired from movie-making. She is the weakest link in this near dud, making it a less than fond farewell. Any other of her lead performances is better. Kelly's legendary singing co-stars rely on the old stand-by that often works for legendary performers - just show up. At least, Crosby and Sinatra walk around the big, expensive and elongated "Vista-Vision" sets without getting lost...

Kelly did get to sing on Crosby's million-selling "True Love"; the flip side was another popular duet, Crosby and Sinatra's "Well, Did You Evah?" All songs were written by Cole Porter, the unsung hero in this production. His soundtrack took it to the bank. As a bonus, you get legendary Louis Armstrong; a singular talent, he manages to not fall in love with Grace Kelly.

**** High Society (7/17/56) Charles Walters ~ Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong

Fmovies: High Society is the musical version of 1940's The Philadelphia Story, originally starring Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and James Stewart. The problem? The original story isn't any good to begin with! Unfortunately, keeping the plot and adding songs doesn't help it turn into a good movie.

In this version, Grace Kelly plays the woman every man falls in love with. She's engaged to John Lund, but her ex-husband Bing Crosby tries to win her back—and to top it all off, reporter Frank Sinatra falls in love with her while writing about her upcoming wedding! The only reason to watch this movie—unless you actually liked the original—is to watch Bing and Frankie sing and act together. In their famous number "Well Did You Evah?", they playfully make fun of each other's singing styles.

If you absolutely love Cole Porter, or Grace Kelly or Frankie, I guess you can watch this one. I didn't like it. I didn't like the original. I won't spoil anything, but in both versions, I was rooting for someone who didn't end up with the girl. And when you hate an ending that much—even as famous an ending as this story's—it's hard to like the rest of the movie.

I love The Philadelphia Story, so this movie had big shoes to fill. That said, this is a terrible movie based on a good one, and would be a mediocre movie even if I knew nothing about The Philadelphia Story. I will base my review knowing it came from The Philadelphia Story. All the edge and wit of the original are GONE. The changes made to the plot and dialogue took them away. So, when the plot/dialogue returns word for word to the original, it loses its impact. And the songs are sadly distracting and just not all that impelling for the story. Sorry, Cole Porter. Lastly, the acting is really not that good. Grace Kelly overacts, Bing Crosby barely acts, and Frank Sinatra waits for another reason to sing. All from people we know are better. I watched this because I knew I should, and wished I hadn't. For those who gave it a glowing review, or even a decent one - well, okay. Just not something I could do. It has been running on Turner Classic Movies, and I watched it again (or tried to) to make sure my memory still served me correctly - and it did. (Insert cringing here...)

High Society fmovies. Something wrong happened as MGM tried to update the much more original "The Philadelphia Story". Some of the blame should go to the uninspired direction of Walter Charles, who can't overcome what the great George Cukor achieved in the original movie version. Part of the blame is shared with John Patrick's screen play that might have been based on the Philip Barry play, but what one sees on the screen is a dull attempt of movie making. Donald Ogden Stewart, who adapted the original play gave that film a light and fun touch, which in Mr. Cukor's hands and brilliant direction came alive throughout the picture.

It's not fair to make comparisons, but unfortunately, the creators of "High Society" leave themselves wide open for it. Right off the start, these stars can't compare with the magnificent performances by Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, James Stewart, Ruth Hussey and the irresistible Virginia Weidler.

Grace Kelly was an elegant actress who as Tracy Lord gives the role another interpretation but doesn't capture the spirit of the no-nonsense socialite she is supposed to be. Bing Crosby, as Dexter, has some good moments, especially in the "True Love" segment in the yacht with Tracy. Frank Sinatra's Mike Connors is all right, although we can't just imagine how he can be in love with Liz Imbrie. Celeste Holm who appears as Liz gave a tamed reading of her character.

The best thing in the film is the prologue and the finale with the incomparable Louis Armstrong, whose presence would have been used to put some sparkle in this subdued version of Philip Barry's wonderful play.

A society wedding is being arranged in Newport, Rhode Island. The beautiful Tracy Lord is to marry George Kitteredge. However, Tracy's ex-husband, the songwriter Dexter Haven, has never stopped loving her and even now has hopes of winning her back. Two journalists, Mike Connor and Liz Imbrie, have arrived to cover the story for 'Spy' Magazine.

Dexter has scheduled the Newport Jazz Festival for the same week as the nuptials, and this brings Louis Armstrong (playing himself) to town. The divine Tracy is adored by three men - Dexter, George and Mike Connor. She begins to harbour doubts about her forthcoming marriage...

"High Society" is a charming reworking of "The Philadelphia Story", the Grant-Hepburn comedy, which was in turn a remodelling of a successful Broadway play. The one great difference with this version is that "High Society" is a glorious musical masterpiece. Cole Porter's score has to be one of the greatest collections of songs ever filmed.

Grace Kelly is good as the imperious Tracy. "I'm a cold goddess," she intones, but she thaws spectacularly in the warmth of love. Bing Crosby as Dexter is his usual droll and stylish self. Crosby is a class act who holds the screen with effortless poise and cracks the funnies with sparkling sarcasm. Sinatra is in knockout form. Rarely has that legendary voice achieved the resonant timbre on display here. Satchmo blasts out a couple of breezy jazz numbers, and comments on the action like a latter-day Greek chorus.

The songs include five all-time classics. "True Love" is a gorgeous duet in which Kelly unveils a tuneful if brittle singing-voice. "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" is rightly world-famous, and is staged here with clever clownage by Sinatra and Celeste Holm (playing Liz). Satchmo's band accompanies Crosby in a swinging "You Has Jazz". The showstopper, "What A Swell Party This Is", has Crosby and Sinatra at their very best, wisecracking self-referentially as they belt out a gem of a song. My personal favourite, "You're Sensational", is beautifully rendered by Sinatra. Watch Frank and Grace in the instrumental break, falling in love with their eyes only.

A confection of sublime music and snappy dialogue, "High Society" is shot in bright, eye-catching Technicolor with an attractive pastel blue predominating throughout. A delightful film.

I have a theory about "High Society" and that is that you must regard it as an Opera. Now I haven't lost my marbles and I am not suggesting that Cole Porter is Verdi. What I mean is that the story is so preposterous (as are most Opera plots) that it is best not to question it too closely and just enjoy the movie. Porter's music is sensational (to coin a phrase) and the songs are all well performed. Grace Kelly's rendition of "True Love" (yes, it is her - not dubbed) is delicious and just adds to her allure. Isn't it wonderful just how sexy Ms Kelly is in this film? This is 1956 and there is no flashing of bosom or even leg – just her natural beauty. She spends some time in the bedroom with Frank Sinatra and (improbably) remains chaste. Frank the honourable man!

I watched "The Philadelphia Story" again recently and was surprised how much of the script from that movie was retained for "High Society". If you find the story of High Society silly (it is) then it is really the earlier film you should blame. The set piece musical numbers in High Society are absolute classics – indeed there isn't a dud. It's worth listing them and you'll see what I mean: "High Society Calypso";" Little One";" Who Wants to be a Millionaire ?";"True Love";" I Love You Samantha";" Well, Did You Evah"; "Mind If I Make Love To You";" Now You Has Jazz";" You're Sensational". WOW!

When you go to the Opera you want great music, good performances, lovely sets and some sort of feel good factor. With "High Society" you get all this and more. It is played tongue in cheek (how could it not be?) and that is how it should be. Keep your "Film noir" or your "Cinema Vérité" – give me High Society every time!