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High Society Details

1956 DVD Certificate U.gif
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 4362 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
  • Cold, flat, dull musical reworking of The Philadelphia Story (qv), with ill-cast performers and just a few bright moments.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
  • 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
  • Most recent members' review of High Society

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  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars

    They Don't Make Them Like This Anymore...

    This is a great introduction to Hollywood musicals. It has a feel to it that everyone involved in its making was having a good time.

    It is a love story set against an early celebrity back drop, told by Louis Armstrong who also happens to be part of the house band in the story.

    People go on about De Niro & Pachino meeting in Heat, Sinatre & Crosby acting and singing together - Did You Ever - simply out class them here. Two great masters of old school Hollywood. Throw in a few knowing one liners and what you have is a compact, witty, stylish movie.

      • A customer from Sheffield, England
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Rating breakdown

4,362 Member ratings
  • 100
742
  • 90
420
  • 80
853
  • 70
715
  • 60
697
  • 50
350
  • 40
239
  • 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 ...