Rating: 
Summary: All that jazz and more!
Review: 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...
Rating: 
Summary: A Swell-egant, elegant HIGH SOCIETY DVD it is...WOW!
Review: One of my favorite films of all time is this terrific musicalization of THE PHILADELPHIA STORY. All set to Cole Porter's music, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra & Grace Kelly do a great job of trying to fill the shoes of Cary Grant, James Stewart, and Katharine Hepburn in the original. The remake adds stunning color and crisp VistaVision that shine on this new DVD release. Best of all this film, which was only released to theaters and on VHS in mono, is finally in glorious stereophonic sound with a gorgeous 5.1 audio track. The DVD comes with a bunch of extras, including a new documentary, newsreel footage & even a great Droopy cartoon in CinemaScope. All in all, a superb release, a must-have for every movie musical lover!
Rating:
Summary: wonderful, grace kelly shined
Review: i would have to fervently disagree with the "silly and air brained" comment in the above review. grace kelly has a grace and glamour unequaled. i am also a fan of katherine hepburn and of the original "philidalphia story" both woman of film have different styles. hepburn is more razor sharp and cutting, and kelly is softer, with a subtle bite. though hepburn's original preformance was genius, kelly did a truely wonderful job of filling her shoes, placing a new, deeper undertone on the movie. both actresses were geniuses of film, and it is wrong to compare them so unfairly. just because it is done differently doesn't mean it is bad, but different. i'm sorry u are not observent enough to pick up on that.
Rating: 
Summary: An Elegant Musical Classic
Review: I know it's a pretty tiresome phrase, but unfortunately it's true. THEY DON'T MAKE MOVIES LIKE THEY USE TOO! I doubt that they'll ever be as much talent involved in one movie ever again. First lets look at the cast. We have Frank Sinatra ( My favorite singer of all time!) next there's Grace Kelly ( One of my favorite actresses) and then there's Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong! And they're all singing to the Oscar nominated songs of Cole Porter (My favorite composer). This is a movie that will entertain anybody who watches it. It's filled with great music, great acting, and a sharp witty script by John Patrick , which is based on Philip Barry's " Philadelphia Story". There are many high points in this film which include Crosby's and Sinatra's duet of "Well, Did You Evah?". Then there's Sinatra's version of "Mind If I Make Love To You?" , which is one of my favorite songs written by Porter. Plus Crosby sings the Oscar nominated "True Love". A fun movie that the whole family can enjoy! Buy or rent it tonight.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT "SOCIETY" MUSICAL
Review: MGM's idea to remake "The Philadelphia Story" as a musical, with Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra in the lead roles may sound perfectly ridiculous. But the idea was intriguing, and so 1956 audiences went to see this new film, "High Society"... and MGM had hit the nail right on the head. The audience loved it, and we still love it today. "The Philadelphia Story" is still "The Philadelphia Story" (okay, so it's moved to Connecticut), with much of the original script intact and reformed to compensate the film's fine musical numbers. But for those who have seen neither "Story" or "Society", the storyline is as follows: Millionaire charmer C.K. Dexter-Haven (Crosby) is trying to woo back his uppity ex-wife, Tracy Lord (Kelly), despite the fact that she's already engaged to be married to George Kittridge, the following afternoon. When Tracy's family is blackmailed by an unscrupulous editor who threatens to do an expose' on Mr. Lord's philandering, Tracy agrees to host a photographer and reporter from the editor's magazine. Enter sweet-and-cynical reporter Liz Imbrie (Celeste Holm), and brash-and-smirking reporter Macaulay "Mike" Connor (Sinatra). Tracy has every intention of taking the two "spies" for a ride, not anticipating the ride she's about to be taken on... with the help of Mike and a bucket of champagne. By the time the wedding march is about to begin, who will walk down the aisle with Tracy... George, Dexter... or Mike? While a bit softer ("fluffier" to use Mr. Maltin's words) than the original, this version is actually a lot of the time more fun to watch, with new colorful takes on the story's characters: Crosby milks charm and elegance from his sophisticated easygoing role. Kelly is a pertfect post-Katharine Hepburn Tracy. Sinatra is Sinatra through and through in his cynical but goodhearted role as Mike. Celeste Holm is a lot of fun as the sarcastic but romantic Liz, and the whole cast including John Lund, Louis Calhern, and even ol' "Satchmo" himself, Louis Armstrong, in a cameo as himself, playing at the much-hyped Newport Jazz Festival (and eventually at Tracy's wedding). "High Society"'s musical score is a lot of fun, too: Armstrong's scratchy singing of the title tune, Sinatra and Holm sing the funny number, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?", Crosby and Kelly duet with a charming rendition of "True Love", and the Crosby-Sinatra gemstone "Well, Did You Evah?", sung over a magnum of champagne... any wonder this film won the Oscar for musical scoring? "High Society" is definitely a great movie musical, a great and witty successor to "The Philadelphia Story", and funny enough for the whole family to have a real "swingin' time." My, it's yar.
Rating:
Summary: I fell in love with Bing Crosby...
Review: ...after watching this movie. This is such a great musical - the songs are catchy, the actors are talented, what more could you want? As a little kid watching this movie I thought Bing Crosby could do no wrong and Grace Kelly was just mean - watching it as an adult I understand a little more about how their relationship must've worked (or not, as it were). Some extremely funny moments mixed with a few poignant ones make for a very good movie. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: A Swell-egant, elegant HIGH SOCIETY DVD it is...WOW!
Review: One of my favorite films of all time is this terrific musicalization of THE PHILADELPHIA STORY. All set to Cole Porter's music, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra & Grace Kelly do a great job of trying to fill the shoes of Cary Grant, James Stewart, and Katharine Hepburn in the original. The remake adds stunning color and crisp VistaVision that shine on this new DVD release. Best of all this film, which was only released to theaters and on VHS in mono, is finally in glorious stereophonic sound with a gorgeous 5.1 audio track. The DVD comes with a bunch of extras, including a new documentary, newsreel footage & even a great Droopy cartoon in CinemaScope. All in all, a superb release, a must-have for every movie musical lover!
Rating: 
Summary: Dreadful!
Review: This movie may stand on its own, but unfortunately it is painful to watch for anyone who knows The Philadelphia Story. Bing Crosby is too old, is unbelievable and is miscast. Frank Sinatra is passable, but pales in comparison to Jimmy Stewart in the original. Celeste Holm is fine when she is singing, but she seems unduly matronly and lacks the charm and spark of Ruth Hussey, also from the original. Then there is the problem of Grace Kelley. She is convincing as a rich ice princess, but ( in this film, at least) she posseses none of the charm, aristocratic strength, or appeal that Katherine Hepburn gave to the original Tracy Lord. Whereas the original was quick and dynamic, the pacing of this one is slow and ponderous. The side trip to Newport and commentary on "the end of a way of life" adds nothing to the film. And Louis Armstrong's appearance, while perhaps noteworthy in its day, now seems embarrasingly buffoonish. One has the sense that the directors and producers are trying to create a joke at Armstrong's expense by placing him in a mileau where they clearly find him out of place. As a kid, I liked this movie when I saw it on tv. Now, however, I see it and cringe. Truth be told, I can't even sit through it all. Bad, bad, bad!
Rating:
Summary: Cute, Great Cast, But...
Review: This is a fantastic story and a fantastic cast, very talented musically. But, the score does not make up for the plot it forces aside. This is not the best movie for any of these actors. Interesting to compare to The Philadelphia Story, but if you only have time for one--watch the original.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful, grace kelly shined
Review: i would have to fervently disagree with the "silly and air brained" comment in the above review. grace kelly has a grace and glamour unequaled. i am also a fan of katherine hepburn and of the original "philidalphia story" both woman of film have different styles. hepburn is more razor sharp and cutting, and kelly is softer, with a subtle bite. though hepburn's original preformance was genius, kelly did a truely wonderful job of filling her shoes, placing a new, deeper undertone on the movie. both actresses were geniuses of film, and it is wrong to compare them so unfairly. just because it is done differently doesn't mean it is bad, but different. i'm sorry u are not observent enough to pick up on that.
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