 |
 High Society (DVD)
Description: Genre: Musicals & Classical / Theatrical Release: 1956 / Director: Charles Walters / Actors: Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly ... more  High Society (DVD) ... ... / DVD released 26 May, 2003 at Warner Home Video / Features of the DVD: PAL / MGM's bold idea to remake George Cukor's Oscar-winning upper-class 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, Amazon.comNewest Review: ... legends that are Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. It is not often these two greats sing together "we sing so rare." ... more ...
The great characters are my favourite element of the film, the music comes second and the script which includes some great lines comes third, for instance "shut up you fool" (Louis Calhern with a hangover talking to a bird singing in a tree.)
High society is by far my favourite musical as I watched it over and over again as a kid showing that it is pure family entertainment. From Sinatra's singing to Grace Kelly's elegance and back to Bing Crosby's one-liners it is a must see for all....more |
||
High Society (DVD): High Society (138 words)
by xZoeKRx - written on 25.08.07 (Somewhat useful, 32 readings)
Rating:
High Society needs to be seen even if its just for the timeless 'what a swell party' scene with the legends that are Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. It is not often these two greats sing together "we sing so rare." The great characters are my favourite element of the film, the music comes second and the script which includes some great lines comes third, for instance "shut up you fool" (Louis Calhern with a hangover talking to a bird singing in a tree.) High society is by far my favourite musical as I watched it over and over again as a kid showing that it is pure family entertainment. From Sinatra's singing to Grace Kelly's ...
Grace really gets her own High Society (2003 words)
by arnoldhenryrufus - written on 21.07.06 (Very useful, 579 readings)
Rating:
~~ High Society~~ I have although, slowly been going through my collection of musicals, they needed an airing, some are still unopened. I am a bit naughty I buy these movies with the intentions of sitting down to watch them, but life takes over and the moment has gone, they end up being filed to watch one day. So my film for this month is High Society, which is a comedy musical that opened at the Pantages Theatre, Hollywood on 1st August 1956. The film boasted nominations for Best Song and Best score at the 1956 Oscars. High Society was the musical version of Philip Barry’s comedy play The Philadelphia Story, which was in its day one ...
