High Society
Released Date: July 17, 1956
Director: Charles Walters
Actors: Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly, Celeste Holm, John Lund, Louis Calhern, Sidney Blackmer, Louis Armstrong and his Band, Margalo Gillmore, and Lydia Reed
Just like Katharine Hepburn, Grace Kelly played the part of Tracy Lord in the stage play of
The Philadelphia Story. And then replayed the part on the big screen. Only this time, under a different name,
High Society. The musical version has Bing Crosby as C.K. Dexter-Haven who was played by Cary Grant in
The Philadelphia Story. Tracy Lord is played by Grace Kelly, Katharine Hepburn was in the standard version. Frank Sinatra plays Mike Connor, the wonderful James Stewart in the standard. And then we have Liz Imbrie who is played by Celeste Holm in the musical but then Ruth Hussey is in the standard version. Which do I prefer? Grace Kelly is my all time favorite actress, but I love Katharine Hepburn too. James Stewart is my all time favorite actor and I love Cary Grant. I'm not a huge fan of musicals but I do love
High Society. Both are great and both deserve to be recognized. It is the same thing only in
High Society there is singing. Otherwise it is the same movie. I love it!!! And I hope you rent both versions, or buy, whichever, you won't be disappointed.
High Society starts off with a four minute overture with very fast and fun music. Letting you, the viewer know that you are in for a fast and fun ride throughout the entire movie. We then get to see the famous MGM lion and his famous roar too. I can tell from the start that I would love this film, I love Grace Kelly, the music is fun and happy, my favorite co-star from
All About Eve, Celeste Holm's is in this, and the colorful background makes for a fun watch as well. Which is not surprising as the words, "Color by Technicolor" flash through the screen. Then the real beginning happens, with Louis Armstrong, playing himself, sings in his happy go lucky smile with his band on a bus. Singing the title of this movie "High Society." After the song ends, Mr. Armstrong says "end of song, beginning of story." We then see what is believed to be dejevu when you realize once again that this is the musical version of a movie you have seen before. With Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly) running about the house getting ready for her wedding with George Kittredge (John Lund). Tracy's sister, Caroline Lord (Lydia Reed) is again upset about Tracy's new choice for a husband, for she still thinks C.K. Dexter Haven (Bing Crosby) is the one for Tracy. You then realize that nothing could be more true when you meet Kittredge and see how serious he is. Tracy Lord is obviously a happy girl, full of life and wants nothing more than to get herself dirty outside. Riding horses or swimming, or falling to the ground in a playful manner. Mike Connor (Frank Sinatra) and Liz Imbrie (Celeste Holm) are in for a treat when Tracy and Caroline meet them for the first time. Mike and Liz are from a magazine, known as Spy Magazine, and want nothing more than some juicy gossip for their boss. But is the gossip worth the money they will recieve, or the fact that they get to stay with the magazine that Mike clearly is not happy with? Find out in this musical version of
The Philadelphia Story. Is it as good as the original? I was happy by the end of it!!!
