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High Society

High Society

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $15.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great movie!
Review: I highly recommend this film. Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby,
and Frank Sinatra are wonderful in it! I'd give it more
stars if I could.

Rating: 5 stars
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: 5 stars
Summary: first-rate musical entertainment
Review: Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Celeste Holm and Bing Crosby star in HIGH SOCIETY, the musical remake of Philip Barry's THE PHILADELPHIA STORY.

Tracy Samantha Lord (Grace Kelly), is about to marry George Kittredge (John Lund), when her ex-husband C.K. Dexter-Haven (Bing Crosby) shows up for the wedding!

Things become more complicated when a sharp-tongued gossip columnist (Celeste Holm) and a photographer (Frank Sinatra) appear on the scene to further complicate the romances!

Narrated by Louis Armstrong, this delightful romp is marvellous entertainment, featuring Louis Calhern and Sidney Blackmer in funny supporting roles.

Real top-class entertainment indeed.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A winner in every aspect...
Review: 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!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: FOR COLE PORTER
Review: COLE PORTER's last good score for the movies is the main thing here, since this remake of THE PHILADELPHIA STORY is uninspired.It's fun to see three legends in the same film ,but it is also sad that this was the only real teaming of FRANK with his idol BING.It was simply an impossible task for GRACE KELLY to walk in the footsteps of KATHARINE HEPBURN ,but her beauty compensates a lot.A product typical of M-G-M,s galaxy of stars.Enjoy TRUE LOVE,MIND IF I MAKE LOVE TO YOU,WELL DID YOU EVAH and forget the rest.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: This is one of the best films I've ever seen. The story is good and funny. The songs are happy and will certainly brighten your day. For example "Have You Evah?" a duet by Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra and "Who want's to be a Millionaire" by Celeste Holm and Frank Sinatra. But also the romantic "True Love" by Grace Kelly and Bing Crosby. The cast is wonderful and the location pretty. It's a light film definatly suited for a relaxing sunday afternoon on the couch.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A wonderful sorce of entainment
Review: 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!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Want to be a millionaire ?
Review: If movies really do have the power to shape your life, then this has got to be one of the best acts to follow. I still reach for it when the need for unashamed escapism overtakes me. The timeless elegance of the couture, classic songs, stunning vistas and memorable screenplay, I defy you not to enjoy and to desire, even secretly, a place in High Society. The sumptous living may be a world away, but the desire for love and attention are all too familiar. Empathise for just a moment with the characters, and you'll find that deep down, we're all millionaires.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Swellegant, Elegant Movie
Review: High Society is one of the best movie musicals I have ever seen! It is a breezy film and sparkles with romance, wit, and charm. Much of its sparkle must be attributed to Cole Porter's beautiful music; the movie includes such songs as "Well, Did You Evah," "I Love You, Samantha," and "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." The cast is just wonderful: Grace Kelly is appropriately snooty, yet likable; Ol' Blue Eyes is funny and cool; Bing Crosby's relaxed elegance is very appealing; Celeste Holm injects her role with a nice blend of sarcasm, sweetness, and good humor; and Louis Armstrong, who plays himself, is a welcome sight, lending his warmth and musicianship to his part. The costumes reflect the stylish aesthetics of the 1950s and Grace Kelly's dresses, in particular, are lovely. Needless to say, I love this movie and highly recommend it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: glorious musical comedy
Review: A wonderful musical in every meaning of the word. It will make you smile and laugh and fall into the echanted mood thanks to Sinatra's crooning. One of my favorite movies, Bing and Frank are so amazing they make me wish I had lived in that era. Beautiful performances by all, this movie is a must for anyone with good musical taste.


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