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High Society Details

1956 DVD Certificate U.gif
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 4376 members

Porter adds the tunes and Sinatra adds the ring-a-ding to this swinging musical remake of The Philadelphia Story. A prim socialite (Kelly in her last role before becoming Her Serene Highness) finds herself in a the middle of a comic mess when her ex-husband (Crosby) and an amorous reporter (Sinatra) come to cover the .. Read more

Starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Celeste Holm, Frank Sinatra
Director Charles Walters
Genres Music/Musical

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High Society

Porter adds the tunes and Sinatra adds the ring-a-ding to this swinging musical remake of The Philadelphia Story. A prim socialite (Kelly in her last role before becoming Her Serene Highness) finds herself in a the middle of a comic mess when her ex-husband (Crosby) and an amorous reporter (Sinatra) come to cover the preparations for her upcoming wedding. Adding to the tension is her skirt-chasing father, who's also returned home for the ceremony. The resulting confusion--and several potent drinks--melt the ice princess's frosty exterior. It isn't long before she sees through her society-climbing fiancee, and warms up again to her crooning jazz musician ex-husband. Rare chance to see rivals Crosby and Sinatra together. Includes such hit numbers as 'True Love', 'You're Sensational', and 'Did You Evah'. The film garnered three Academy Award Nominations including Best Motion Picture Story.

Starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Celeste Holm, Frank Sinatra, John Lund, Louis Calhern, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Blackmer, Margalo Gillmore
Director Charles Walters
Studio WARNER HOME VIDEO
Run time DVD: 1 hr 43 mins
Certificate DVD Certificate U.gif
Genres Music/Musical
Language English
Released DVD: 26 May 2003
Production year: 1956
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (3) of High Society

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    This musical remake of the 1940 film The Philadelphia Story was a smash hit, particularly in Britain, making comparisons with its fabulous forerunner unnecessary. It's cleverly under-directed (star Bing Crosby couldn't dance) by the brilliant Charles Walters and offers many joys, notably the teaming of crooners Crosby and Frank Sinatra for the brilliantly witty Cole Porter number Well, Did You Evah?, and the delightful Grace Kelly in a role she plays perfectly, that of a spoiled rich brat. Sinatra and Celeste Holm make a snappy pair of journalists (and bring that snap to another Porter classic, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?), but Crosby seems somewhat ill at ease, and jazz great Louis Armstrong is reduced to the chorus and stooge to Crosby.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • Cold, flat, dull musical reworking of The Philadelphia Story (qv), with ill-cast performers and just a few bright moments.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of High Society

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  • 28 out of 28 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 2 stars

    Leaden

    Flat musical version of The Philadelphia Story with second rate Cole Porter songs.

      • A customer from England
      • Posted 07 Mar 2009 16:25

  • Most recent members' review of High Society

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  • 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Nostalgia ain't what it used to be.

    With people now getting sentimental about the 1970s, you have to be a bit older to get full value from this delightful museum piece, set in the early 1950s. Grace Kelly, on review and reflection, certainly could not act convincingly in this part but is a great big star, holding her own against Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong, all of whom are plainly enjoying her company, and each others', and are great to remember given that all four are now dead. The plot and setting rely heavily on the 'Country Cottages' of the mega-rich Vanderbilts, Dukes, Astors etc in Newport, Rhode Island. We visited some of these recently and they are wonderful tourist attractions. Playing on a screen in the basement of one of the great houses was - yes, you've guessed it - the film of High Society. It is a significant part of movie history, also of the social history of the American Dream. More to the point, it is wonderful entertainment. Think of it as a musical comedy with great tunes and unforgettable Cole Porter lyrics. Forget the plot. Enjoy the ride.

      • A customer from Ireland, west of the Shannon
      • Posted 26 Nov 2005 01:32

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Rating breakdown

4,376 Member ratings
  • 100
743
  • 90
421
  • 80
855
  • 70
721
  • 60
700
  • 50
349
  • 40
241
  • 30
132
  • 20
141
  • 10
73

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      • Porter adds the tunes and Sinatra adds the ring-a-ding to this swinging musical remake of The Philadelphia Story. A prim socialite (Kelly in her last role before becoming Her Serene Highness) finds ...