Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9780790745022
Format: Closed-captioned
ISBN: 079074502X
Label: Warner Home Video
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Warner Home Video
Release Date: 2000-09-19
Running Time: 111
Studio: Warner Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: 1956-07-17

MGM's bold idea to remake George Cukor's Oscar-winning upperclass romantic farce, The Philadelphia Story, into a star-studded, Technicolor musical with Cole Porter tunes somehow works splendidly and remains an underrated gem. Even the plot and character names--and some bits of dialogue--all remain the same as the original. Crooning Bing Crosby replaces Cary Grant as the wealthy ex-husband trying to win back his soon-to-be-remarried ex-wife, spoiled ice queen Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly, stunning and aloof in her last film role, originated in the earlier comedy by Katherine Hepburn). Unlike Grant, however, Crosby has jazz great Louis Armstrong, playing himself, in his corner for quixotic persuasion. Frank Sinatra (cocky in James Stewart's former role) and Celeste Holm add support as the nosy reporters covering, and subsequently complicating, the upcoming wedding. Sure, High Society lacks the original's witty satire, sarcasm, and character complexity; but it's assuredly paced and wonderfully acted, and contains enough romantic chemistry to keep the plot engaging. And then there's the music. Unlike the grandiose production numbers of many '40s and '50s musicals, High Society's musical sequences are considerably low-key and intimate, focusing on Porter's lyrical content, and the style in which it's delivered by the charismatic performers. Armstrong kicks the film off in telling style: he sings the title track, a calypso tune outlining the plot like a Greek chorus, not as an elaborately choreographed song-and-dance number, but instead stuffed claustrophobically in the back of a limousine with his jazz band. Other musical standouts include Sinatra and Crosby playfully tossing barbs during "Well, Did You Evah?"; Crosby and Armstrong teaming up for an energetic clash of styles in "Now You Has Jazz"; the two soaring, archetypal ballads by the leads--Crosby's "I Love You, Samantha" and Sinatra's superior "You're Sensational"; and, finally, the satirical Sinatra/Holm duet, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?," the closest High Society ever comes to social or class commentary. --Dave McCoy

Customer Rating:
Summary: It always stuns me...
Comment: when people write a bad review about an item, in this case a DVD, that they never should have purchased if they didn't like musicals, or bought it, watched it, and came back here to give it a bad review because they enjoyed a different version of the film that included actors they enjoyed more. I've never seen the Philadelphia Story, although I would like to do so one day. If I enjoy TPS more than "High Society," that doesn't automatically make HS worthless.

I've always loved this movie and decided to purchase it today. When I saw two 1-star ratings, I had to see if there was some kind of flaw in the actual DVD (cut scenes, etc.). The film is great to watch and includes cast of legendary actors singing and performing and singing an excellent score. How bad could it be to watch a film that includes these wonderful actors performing in their prime. It's enough for me just be able to watch Satchmo's great performance.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, you now have mine.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: The unbeatable talents of three legendary stars in a nice musical comedy...
Comment: "High Society" unites the unbeatable talents of three legendary stars Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Armstrong with the beautiful and talented Grace Kelly in her final role before she becomes the loving Princess of Monaco...

Spoiled Tracy (Kelly) is about to marry a boring businessman John Lund, but on the eve of her nuptials, her ex-husband Crosby, who still calls her Sam, returns to try and put a stop to the wedding...

On hand to cover her upcoming nuptials for a spy magazine are journalists Celeste Holm) and Sinatra, with the greatest American jazz musician Louis Armstrong providing with Crosby a musical jazz called "Now You Has Jazz."

Armstrong opens the film from the back of the blue bus shared with his band, with a calypso song, while the classic "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" is lively sung by Sinatra and Holm alone in a big room filled with Kelly's many extravagant wedding gifts...

Kelly is lovely as the refined woman flirting with three men... In scenes that required the softening of her unyielding nature, she seems so reserved and cold in manner...

Sinatra sings to her "You're Sensational" and "Mind if I Make Love to You? Crosby sings "True Love."

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Thanks for the Memories
Comment: This is one of my favorite childhood movies and I'm delighted to have it now preserved on DVD. It came through the mail in great shape and with all due speed.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Dreadful!
Comment: 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!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: High Sociey
Comment: 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!!!!

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