High Society

Rating:
Summary: Super, super, super
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: My all-time favorite movie.
Review: If I wrote down on a piece of paper all the things I would want in one movie I could not come up with a list that reaches perfection as closely as "High Society." The two greatest singers of all time-- Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby-- in the same movie? Singing the words and music of the greatest songwriter-- Cole Porter? With the most beautiful and one of the most talented actresses of all time-- Grace Kelly? What's more, how about including only the greatest jazz musician of all time-- Louis Armstrong? It's true, Sinatra, Cary Grant and Sophia Loren were once in a movie together, but it was about a big cannon-- a really big cannon ("The Pride and the Passion"). Happily, this masterpiece of a musical is based on the great play "The Philadelphia Story" and-- please bear with me-- I think this version surpasses the movie with Jimmy, Cary and Katherine in every way. For one thing, some of the tangential plot lines are cut down or cut out, and the dialogue is more to the point. Furthermore, Bing simply steals the show and surpasses the great Cary Grant as Dexter with one-liners that pack a lot more wallop. And there is superior acting in the smaller roles. Tracy Lord's little sister is absolutely delightful, and the tension between Tracy and her father adds a more serious-- even disturbing-- element to the movie. Louis Calhern is a loveable old devil as the uncle, and John Lund is a straight-laced cad who yet remains a character rather than a parody. Celeste Holm has a major role, actually, as the other reporter and is hilarious. And sure Jimmy won an Oscar for the role taken by Frank but Sinatra has fabulous chemistry with Grace Kelly. But maybe the most intriguing aspect of this film is the seamless quality of the songs and dialogue. Unlike many of MGM's earlier Technicolor extravaganzas, the sets and situations for the songs are rather more minimalistic: Bing sings "I Love You Samantha" as he's putting on his coat and placing cigarettes in his cigarette case. Louis and Bing sing a true classic "Now You Has Jazz" because Satch is there for the Newport Jazz Festival. Perhaps the loveliest song in the movie is Sinatra looking longingly into Grace's cool face and singing "You're Sensational." This is a subtle, stylish yet realistic musical which is very funny but has plenty of substance as well. Sometimes we need to make a big blunder ourselves and rely on the forgiveness of those we love before we can forgive the flaws we see in them-- and not expect perfection. But nevermind that-- how about Frank and Bing singing the duet "Have You Evah?" with the vintage Porter line "she got pinched in the Astor bar" or how about Bing and Grace singing "True Love" so beautifully on their honeymoon? Now that's perfection!

Rating:
Summary: High Sociey
Review: Absolutely one of the best movies of its ilk of all time! Great fun, light, fabulous to look at, super catchy songs, and the best collection of great actors! I LOVE High Society!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Needs more Louis!
Review: "High Society" has plenty of swing and jazz and lots of frivolous fun. The beautiful people, and few beautiful people are more beautiful than Grace Kelly, are on display and at play. "The privileged class enjoying their privileges," as they say. The Cole Porter soundtrack is amazing, and every song is a hit. "Who Want's to be a Millionaire?," "Well Did You Evah?," "Now You Has Jazz" and of course "High Society."

Where the weakness comes in is mixing the serious story of "The Philadelphia Story" with the casual leisure of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. All of the original concepts get swept away in the fun of the musical numbers, and one thinks that the same actors, with the same music, could have had a more fitting script. The keeping of the original dialog of "The Philadelphia Story" was a bad choice, as lines so powerful and well-delivered by Katharine Hepburn ("Put me in your pocket, Mike") come off silly and air brained from Grace Kelly.

What really boosts "High Society" way up is Louis Armstrong. Every moment he is on screen is charming, and a real hit. Unfortunately, there is just not enough, and every moment you are hoping for more Louis. When you see 'ol Satchmo swingin', the screen comes alive.

The DVD is great, and full of interesting tidbits and extras. Movie trailers for both "High Society" and "The Philadelphia Story," a "making of..." narrated by Celeste Holm, a newsreel of the Gala Premier, and coolest of all a Droopy cartoon, "Millionaire Droopy."

"High Society" is worth getting, and enjoyable, but it is neither a great musical nor a great movie. Just fun.

Rating:
Summary: Can you dig ol' Satchmo swingin' in the High Society?
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: Cole Porter's Score is a Standout!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Simply, THE BEST!!
Review: I can only echo the sentiments of the majority of reviewers here: THIS IS ONE FANTASTIC MOVIE!! Normally I can't handle those overblown musical extravaganzas but this little gem goes down real easy and moves very quickly. The Cole Porter score is wonderful and there isn't a dud song in the whole bunch. The cast is exceptional. Everyone's a winner! The movie looks great in the all-new digital anamorphic wide screen transfer and the remastered soundtrack is as clear as a bell. Some neat extras too: Celeste Holm (still looking good) hosts "Cole Porter In Hollywood: True Love" which is a 9 minute making-of/behind-the-scenes featurette containing some great insider stories. There is also "Millionaire Droopy": a very funny Tex Avery cartoon in cinemascope (non-anamorphic); A "premiere" newsreel; a very entertaining 4 minute trailer featuring Bing and Ed Sullivan; lengthy 'audio only' radio ads featuring Bing, Frank and Grace Kelly plus "behind-the-scenes" notes. This truly is classic Hollywood if ever there was such a thing. My highest recommendation and a definite keeper. You'll never get sick of this film.

Rating:
Summary: Finally!
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: Its not bad its just a remake ..
Review: At some point in the 50's the studios managers probably thought to themself ".. hey why try make new good films , lets just do remakes of old b&w ones in COLOR ... and turn them into MUSICALS .. " YUCK .

Even with the new color and sound the outcome was often pale in comparison to the original , see "The Philadelphia Story" instead for the real thing .

The remake scheme just doesn't work , just look at "The planet of the apes" as an example . And now they are throwing "The italian job" at us .. they should have made it a musical :-) Imagine marky singing a cheerfull tune while driving in a mini .

Rating:
Summary: Great stars! Great songs! Great film! ...GREAT DVD!
Review: 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!