Product Details

• Actors: Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Celeste Holm, John Lund
• Directors: Charles Walters
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Turner/Metro Goldwyn Mayer Home Entertainment
• VHS Release Date: January 6, 1998
• Run Time: 107 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0792837649
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,101 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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Editorial Reviews

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MGM's bold idea to remake George Cukor's Oscar-winning upperclass romantic farce, The Philadelphia Story, into a star-studded, Technicolor musical with Cole Porter tunes somehow works splendidly and remains an underrated gem. Even the plot and character names--and some bits of dialogue--all remain the same as the original. Crooning Bing Crosby replaces Cary Grant as the wealthy ex-husband trying to win back his soon-to-be-remarried ex-wife, spoiled ice queen Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly, stunning and aloof in her last film role, originated in the earlier comedy by Katherine Hepburn). Unlike Grant, however, Crosby has jazz great Louis Armstrong, playing himself, in his corner for quixotic persuasion. Frank Sinatra (cocky in James Stewart's former role) and Celeste Holm add support as the nosy reporters covering, and subsequently complicating, the upcoming wedding. Sure, High Society lacks the original's witty satire, sarcasm, and character complexity; but it's assuredly paced and wonderfully acted, and contains enough romantic chemistry to keep the plot engaging. And then there's the music. Unlike the grandiose production numbers of many '40s and '50s musicals, High Society's musical sequences are considerably low-key and intimate, focusing on Porter's lyrical content, and the style in which it's delivered by the charismatic performers. Armstrong kicks the film off in telling style: he sings the title track, a calypso tune outlining the plot like a Greek chorus, not as an elaborately choreographed song-and-dance number, but instead stuffed claustrophobically in the back of a limousine with his jazz band. Other musical standouts include Sinatra and Crosby playfully tossing barbs during "Well, Did You Evah?"; Crosby and Armstrong teaming up for an energetic clash of styles in "Now You Has Jazz"; the two soaring, archetypal ballads by the leads--Crosby's "I Love You, Samantha" and Sinatra's superior "You're Sensational"; and, finally, the satirical Sinatra/Holm duet, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?," the closest High Society ever comes to social or class commentary. --Dave McCoy

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A winner in every aspect..., November 25, 2000

By	Anthony Paul "AP" - See all my reviews

This review is from: High Society [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I've just finished watching "High Society" after having first seen "The Philadelphia Story" only a month ago. Both films are phenomenal, on their own and shouldn't be compared. They succeed wonderfully in very different ways. The cinematography of "High Society" is excellent and is one of the major factors of it's success. In many ways, it makes it a very, dare I say, 'modern' musical, not seeming at all fluffy or schmaltzy. The musical numbers are intimately filmed, and with Cole Porter's music and lyrics, it works amazingly well. Case in point..."Well Did You Evah". I believe this to be one of Sinatra's best roles, quite cool, charming, and thoroughly convincing. And then he sings...and all is well with the world. Bing is at his cool best and Grace Kelly is stunningly beautiful, even with her role's snobbery fully intact. It is a shame that Sinatra and Bing only had one other movie together "robin and the Seven Hoods" because their chemistry is unsurpassed. Add the jazz and personality of Satchmo, and what you have is one of the most enjoyable 107 minutes that you could spend in front of the tube. Highly recommended. Let's hope the DVD version is in the works!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bubbly Musical Remake of Hepburn Classic!, December 7, 2002

By	Benjamin J Burgraff - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: High Society [VHS] (VHS Tape)

'High Society', MGM's musical remake of Philip Barry's classic 'The Philadelphia Story', is a frothy, high-spirited joy! While it lacks the inestimable star power of Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart, in replacing the male leads with the greatest crooners of all time, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, and offering Hollywood's Princess, Grace Kelly, in her last film role, MGM was NOT dropping the marquee value by much! Add to the mix the legendary Louis Armstrong, and one of Cole Porter's last great film scores (including the lushly romantic 'True Love'), and you have all the ingredients for a delightful movie experience!

Changing the film's locale from Philadelphia to Newport, the class distinction subplot of the story becomes, at best, a minor plot point, but it does provide the 'hook' of the Newport Jazz Festival to bring in Armstrong, and to add songwriting as a hobby of millionaire C.K. Dexter-Haven (Crosby). His ex, Tracy Samantha Lord (called 'Sam' in this version, so Cole Porter could recycle his tune 'Goodbye, Amanda', as 'Goodbye Samantha'), and played by the luminous Kelly, is remarrying, to boring, wooden George Kittredge (played woodenly by John Lund). An 'Enquirer'-type scandal sheet, 'The Spy', blackmails the family into allowing a writer and photographer (Sinatra and Celeste Holm) to cover the nuptials (in an improvement on the original story, where Cary Grant 'sells out' the Lords in an attempt to disrupt the wedding).

From this point on, the film follows the original version fairly closely, adding songs to 'spice up' the proceedings. Sinatra and Holm take potshots at the idle rich with 'Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?'; Crosby tosses off a sweet ditty for Sam's little sister ('Little One'), and attempts, with Armstrong, to explain contemporary music ('Now You Has Jazz'); Sinatra, smitten with Kelly, expresses his feelings ('You're Sensational' and 'Can I Make Love To You?'); Crosby and Kelly, in a flashback, recall their honeymoon ('True Love', which became a hit single, earning both stars a gold record). The film highlight is, understandably, the fabulous and funny duet between Crosby and Sinatra, 'Well, Did You Evah?' (rich with sly comments on Crosby's famous fortune, and Sinatra's 'new' style of crooning). The number is nearly always featured in MGM musical retrospectives, and is a show-stopper!

As all the pieces fall into place for a 'beautiful' wedding, (which concludes both versions of the story), Louis Armstrong provides a final coda that is both charming and a reminder that Hollywood just doesn't make 'em like this any more!

'High Society' may not be in the stratosphere of 'The Philadephia Story', but it certainly has a well-deserved place in the cosmos of its own! This one's a keeper!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful sorce of entainment, July 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: High Society [VHS] (VHS Tape)

High Society, starring Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby is a delightful musical. It is a remake of the big hit THE PHILADELPHIA STORY which starred Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewert. In High Society Bing Crosby plays C.K Dexter Haven the "x" of Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly) who turns up suddenly when he hears that Tracy is being remarried. Tracy of course is furious and does not want him there. To add to her problems two reporters,(one of which is played by Frank Sinatra) show up. Tracy refuses to admit that she's still in love with Dexter and refuses to call of the wedding. Louis Armstrong toots out some great tunes by Cole Porter and Grace Kelly does an excellent job, especially in her drunk scene. This movie is an absoulute must!