Customer Reviews

High Society

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a musical remake of George Cukor's classic "The Philadelphia Story". The new setting: the Newport Jazz Festival and the chic mansions on its surroundings. The story is exactly the same: Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly in her last film) is engaged to David (John Lund). But her ex-husband (Bing Crosby) won't let her go that easily. In the between, there are a couple of journalists (Frank Sinatra and Celeste Holm) with problems on their own.

This is one of those films where everything is great. The whole cast is excelent. This is classical Hollywood in full gear!!

The music by Cole Porter will leave you singing for days after you see this movie: "Well, Did You Evah?", "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?", "Little One", "You're Sensational" and the multi-million Dollar seller "True Love" are great tunes. The film has also a five-minute overture with music that is usually cut by television (great music!!!).

This DVD comes with a great pack of extras. But first... the image: gorgeous Technicolor (it was shot in VistaVision). The beautiful soundtrack was remastered in Dolby 5.1 (it seems it was recorded only 10 years ago). There is also a documentary on Cole Porter hosted by Celeste Holm herself! (still beautiful after all these years). There is a newsreel about the film's premiere, Radio adds with Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby, Trailers (from both "High Society" and "The Philadelphia Story"), Notes ..........and a great Cinemascope Cartoon "Millionaire Droopie".

The only bad thing about this DVD is that the subtitles dissapear during the songs (and there are 3 languages).

Anyway... this a great film with all the elements at their peak!

Given the lack of fuss made over the centenary year of Bing Crosby's birth, it appears that, as far as the public at large is concerned, Bing is little more than a Christmas period piece. This film should help set the record straight about the most influential vocalist and entertainer of the first half of the last century. His feature number with Pops ("Now You Has Jazz") is a treasure, presenting two of the most naturally gifted, closely matched American musicians simply enjoying each other's company while becoming completely caught up in the musical moment. Satchmo absolutely shines (sometimes that smile could betray traces of auto-pilot, but not in this film). And Bing's got that thing going with his head that was the hallmark of his most genuine, inspired, heart-felt performances: he's way back on his heels and everything above his shoulders takes on an animated, even "pixillated" quality. No longer is he being merely smooth and easy (and singing certainly did come easy for him), but his head is illustrating the beat, in that curious, punching, out-of-synch pattern that he had whenever he was really feeling it.

The Sinatra performance is also solid, but there's plenty of good Sinatra elsewhere on film. What's unique about this film is his "Well, Did Ya Evah?" duet with Crosby. For years they had been radio rivals, the "old pro" favoring crowd-pleasing "smooth and easy" tunes and the skinny new star emphasizing more urgent and dramatic material appealing to the personal emotions of a new generation. Crosby is the "natural," capable of all sorts of graceful vocal elocutions and tricks; Sinatra is the driven, serious modern man, executing musical material with a no-nonsense approach. At one point, when Croz goes for one of his elegant swoops, Sinatra retorts, "Don't Dig That Kind of Croonin', Chum."

But despite their considerable differences, and despite Crosby's dominating screen presence (perhaps for the last time in his career), the two wind up as arm-in-arm, complementary musical partners for what indeed is one of the swellest parties in the history of film.

Just released on DVD, this fabulous musical remake of George Cukor's The Philadelphia Story (1940) sees Grace Kelly in her last ever film role before crossing the pond to marry into the Monaco monarchy (she even wore her actual engagement ring in the movie).

Kelly plays the spoilt heiress Tracy Samantha Lord, a rather icy perfectionist (this generation would say `control freak'), who is due to marry the stuffy George Kitteridge (John Lund) when her ex-husband C K Dexter-Haven (Bing Crosby), unexpectedly turns up... Still in love with her, he puts in place a subtle plan to win back her heart. Throw in an incorrigible little sister, a playboy dad, a couple of snoops from Spy magazine, Louis Armstrong (as himself) and buckets of champagne... and now you has jazz!

With a witty script and quite the line-up (it was the first time Crosby and Frank Sinatra, playing Spy magazine reporter, appeared on screen together), the romantic comedy is carried by one of Cole Porter's best - and one of his last - musical scores which includes Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Well, Did You Evah?, Now You Has Jazz, and Kelly and Crosby's moving duet True Love.

Like most rereleases of older movies onto DVD, what actually makes you update your video copy are the bonus features. Along with the nostalgic newsreel of the film's 1956 première, this version includes a short documentary on `the making of...', narrated by Celeste Holm (born 1919, who played Spy magazine photographer). Although it makes for entertaining viewing (throwing up little snippets such as how Kelly's father warned Prince Rainier of Monaco before they got married she was a [bad] driver), one can't help thinking that someone cruelly substituted Holm's oxygen tank with helium...

Overall verdict? Thoroughly entertaining and an absolute must for fans of classic musicals and all that jazz...

Imagine this cast: Grace Kelly , Frankie , Bing Crosby , Satchmo and add it a Cole Porter score .
The script is more than obvious it is the typical comedy of mistakes where the good girl at last will make the right choice , plenty of smart gags and clever funny situations and double sense jokes .
Entertaining and one of my favorite films of the fifties.

What a cast! Grace Kelly, Crosby and Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Celeste Holm. Add to that the fact that High Society isa remake of George Cukor's Oscar-winning upperclass romantic farce, The Philadelphia Story, sprinkle marvelous and intimate Cole Porter tunes throughout, and the ironic fact that this was Grace Kelly's last film role, and it's a sure winner.
Louis Armstrong, playing himself (and who can imagine him playing anyone else?), starts the movie off by singing the title song. The song and soft-shoe numbers between Crosby and Sinatra, Sinatra and Holmes, Crosby and Armstrong are unforgettable.
The plot, of course, is based on: Who Will Tracy Marry? We've got her engaged and about to wed a stuffed shirt, but also present are her ex-husband who still loves her and the scandal rag reporter who falls for his intended victim.
Marvelous and witty social commentary, tho the `social' message is more downplayed than in the original Philadelphia Story.

One of the best movies ever made, in my opinion. The cast is, well, brilliant beyond description, and the 'madcap antics' so much a part of American movie culture never played so well - ("Uncle Billy! "Fine...fine..." "Ma-MA"). Also my favorite Grace Kelly performance of all time. Well did you EVER! They were STONED...My favorite "double 'croonin'" moment on film as well. This movie captures a time and space in American film (late, admittedly) that also captures a time and space in American culture (tongue-in-cheek, admittedly) and the juxtaposition of the two is pure movie magic

This movie has class and is true entertainment. A romantic story which has one of hollywoods most beautiful legends, Grace Kelly. Grace and Bing remind of the days I miss.

I was walking through tower today and out of the corner of my eye I saw this DVD. I was shocked, I had all but given up hope that they would print it on DVD. I fell in love with this movie when I was ten (25 years ago) before they had VCRs or DVD players. I had to wait each year for it to come on TV.

This is my all time favorite movie. I like it better than the orignal because it seems more open, intimate, and I love the music. The color is wonderful the music is fabulous and the acting was excellent for the genre at the time.

This is the one DVD that I have been waiting for. I am thrilled to have it. It was worth the wait!

I love old movies of all kinds, but this and Singing in the Rain are as good as they get. This is a remake of the Philledalphia Story, and they make it into a musical. By addding a superb cast and fun music, it is great for the whole family. Unlike some acadamy award winning old movies (which are all very good too) High Society is good for when you are feeling serious and when you just want to relax.
The story follows Tracy, a rich society girl who is engaged. Then her ex, Dexter shows up, and he still loves Tracy. With a little help from Tarcys sister Caroline, and some mixing up from two reporters, the film is hilarious and ends spectacuraly.
Overall, excellent!

C.K. Dexter-Haven (Bing Crosby) has moved back to his Rhode Island home to help with the new Jazz Festival that's taking place in a few days. It also happens that his ex-wife, Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly), who lives next door, is going to re-marry the next day. The problem is Dexter is still in love with Tracy and wants to try to get back together with her. His plans to re-kindle their relationship get thrown out of whack when Tracy's uncle blackmails her mother into allowing two reporters from "Spy Magazine" to cover the wedding.

The story is a bit weak. Tracy left Dexter because he chose to write popular songs. Oh, and because she couldn't mold him into the man she wanted. (More emphasis is placed on the songwriting, though, as the reason.) Also, Dexter never really does anything to try to win Tracy back, which made the ending of the movie not so believable for me.

The acting was good, but Frank Sinatra and Celeste Holmes as the reporters from "Spy Magazine" are great. In fact, Sinatra is one of the best things in the film. Another standout that makes this movie worth watching is the score and songs by Cole Porter. Some of his classics came from this film, including "Well, Did You Evah?" and the Oscar-winning "True Love." The extras on the DVD are pretty good, as well, with a few behind-the-scenes featurettes and even a Tex Avery cartoon in Cinemascope: "Millionaire Droopy." The picture and sound quality are good.