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High Society

High Society

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $15.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: I fell in love with Bing Crosby...
Review: ...after watching this movie. This is such a great musical - the songs are catchy, the actors are talented, what more could you want? As a little kid watching this movie I thought Bing Crosby could do no wrong and Grace Kelly was just mean - watching it as an adult I understand a little more about how their relationship must've worked (or not, as it were). Some extremely funny moments mixed with a few poignant ones make for a very good movie. Highly recommended!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Cute, Great Cast, But...
Review: This is a fantastic story and a fantastic cast, very talented musically. But, the score does not make up for the plot it forces aside. This is not the best movie for any of these actors. Interesting to compare to The Philadelphia Story, but if you only have time for one--watch the original.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Needs more Louis!
Review: "High Society" has plenty of swing and jazz and lots of frivolous fun. The beautiful people, and few beautiful people are more beautiful than Grace Kelly, are on display and at play. "The privileged class enjoying their privileges," as they say. The Cole Porter soundtrack is amazing, and every song is a hit. "Who Want's to be a Millionaire?," "Well Did You Evah?," "Now You Has Jazz" and of course "High Society."

Where the weakness comes in is mixing the serious story of "The Philadelphia Story" with the casual leisure of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. All of the original concepts get swept away in the fun of the musical numbers, and one thinks that the same actors, with the same music, could have had a more fitting script. The keeping of the original dialog of "The Philadelphia Story" was a bad choice, as lines so powerful and well-delivered by Katharine Hepburn ("Put me in your pocket, Mike") come off silly and air brained from Grace Kelly.

What really boosts "High Society" way up is Louis Armstrong. Every moment he is on screen is charming, and a real hit. Unfortunately, there is just not enough, and every moment you are hoping for more Louis. When you see 'ol Satchmo swingin', the screen comes alive.

The DVD is great, and full of interesting tidbits and extras. Movie trailers for both "High Society" and "The Philadelphia Story," a "making of..." narrated by Celeste Holm, a newsreel of the Gala Premier, and coolest of all a Droopy cartoon, "Millionaire Droopy."

"High Society" is worth getting, and enjoyable, but it is neither a great musical nor a great movie. Just fun.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Can you dig ol' Satchmo swingin' in the High Society?
Review: One of the best movies ever made, in my opinion. The cast is, well, brilliant beyond description, and the 'madcap antics' so much a part of American movie culture never played so well - ("Uncle Billy! "Fine...fine..." "Ma-MA"). Also my favorite Grace Kelly performance of all time. Well did you EVER! They were STONED...My favorite "double 'croonin'" moment on film as well. This movie captures a time and space in American film (late, admittedly) that also captures a time and space in American culture (tongue-in-cheek, admittedly) and the juxtaposition of the two is pure movie magic

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Cole Porter's Score is a Standout!
Review: C.K. Dexter-Haven (Bing Crosby) has moved back to his Rhode Island home to help with the new Jazz Festival that's taking place in a few days. It also happens that his ex-wife, Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly), who lives next door, is going to re-marry the next day. The problem is Dexter is still in love with Tracy and wants to try to get back together with her. His plans to re-kindle their relationship get thrown out of whack when Tracy's uncle blackmails her mother into allowing two reporters from "Spy Magazine" to cover the wedding.

The story is a bit weak. Tracy left Dexter because he chose to write popular songs. Oh, and because she couldn't mold him into the man she wanted. (More emphasis is placed on the songwriting, though, as the reason.) Also, Dexter never really does anything to try to win Tracy back, which made the ending of the movie not so believable for me.

The acting was good, but Frank Sinatra and Celeste Holmes as the reporters from "Spy Magazine" are great. In fact, Sinatra is one of the best things in the film. Another standout that makes this movie worth watching is the score and songs by Cole Porter. Some of his classics came from this film, including "Well, Did You Evah?" and the Oscar-winning "True Love." The extras on the DVD are pretty good, as well, with a few behind-the-scenes featurettes and even a Tex Avery cartoon in Cinemascope: "Millionaire Droopy." The picture and sound quality are good.


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