FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: High Society [DVD] [1956]

High Society [DVD] [1956]
enlarge	Director: Charles Walters Actors: Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Celeste Holm, John Lund Studio: Warner Home Video Category: DVD List Price: ~~£13.99~~ Buy New: £3.58 as of 22/11/2009 20:11 GMT details You Save: £10.41 (74%) New (11) Used (3) Collectible (2) from £2.95 Seller: direct-2-u Rating: 18 reviews Sales Rank: 546 Format: PAL Language: English (Original Language) Rating: Universal, suitable for all Region: 2 Discs: 1 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 103 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 7321900657136 ASIN: B000092WD7 Theatrical Release Date: July 17, 1956 Release Date: May 26, 2003 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


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Editorial Reviews: Amazon.co.uk Review MGM's bold idea to remake George Cukor's Oscar-winning upper-class romantic farce, IThe Philadelphia Story/I, 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, IHigh Society/I 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, IHigh Society/I'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 IHigh Society/I ever comes to social or class-commentary. --IDave McCoy, Amazon.com/I

Customer Reviews: Showing reviews 1-5 of 18 1 2 3 4 Next » Simply Swell! June 8, 2003 P Farquharson 39 out of 40 found this review helpful Just released on DVD format, this fabulous musical remake of George Cukor's The Philadelphia Story (1940) sees Grace Kelly in her last ever film role before crossing the pond to marry into the Monaco monarchy (she even wore her actual engagement ring in the movie). pKelly plays the spoilt heiress Tracy Samantha Lord, a rather icy perfectionist (this generation would say 'control freak'), who is due to marry the stuffy George Kitteridge (John Lund) when her ex-husband C K Dexter-Haven (Bing Crosby), unexpectedly turns up... Still in love with her, he puts in place a subtle plan to win back her heart. Throw in an incorrigible little sister, a playboy dad, a couple of snoops from Spy magazine, Louis Armstrong (as himself) and buckets of champagne... and now you has jazz!pWith a witty script and quite the line-up (it was the first time Crosby and Frank Sinatra, playing Spy magazine reporter, appeared on screen together), the romantic comedy is carried by one of Cole Porter's best - and one of his last - musical scores which includes Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Well, Did You Evah?, Now You Has Jazz, and Kelly and Crosby's moving duet True Love. pRarely are remakes a patch on the original but in this case High Society is an exception. That said, however, The Philadelphia Story - with an equally strong cast that includes Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant and James Stewart - is as swell a party...pLike most rereleases of older movies onto DVD, what actually makes you update your video copy are the bonus features. This version includes a short documentary on 'the making of...', narrated by Celeste Holm (born 1919, who played Spy magazine photographer). Although it makes for entertaining viewing (throwing up little snippets such as how Kelly's father warned Prince Rainier of Monaco before they got married she was a crap driver), one can't help thinking that someone cruelly substituted Holm's oxygen tank with helium. Which is slightly distracting. Other special features are a nostalgic newsreel of the film's 1956 première, the original theater trailer and, rather bizarrely, 'Millionaire Droopy', a five-minute cartoon about two dogs (Spike and Droopy) battling over an inheritance, which uh... has absolutely no relevance to High Society at all.pOverall verdict? Thoroughly entertaining and an absolute must for fans of classic musicals and all that jazz... "Sensational" February 15, 2005 erin tc (uk) 12 out of 15 found this review helpful Even if you were to hate the plot (improbable), the actors (imposible) and the set (implausable) you'd LOVE the music. Songs like the Armstrong-Crosby "Now we has jazz" and even the Crosby "I love you, Samantha" warm you right to the soul.brNot many films can boast such an amazing cast with Crosby as the love-struck ex-husband, Sinatra as the distraction and Kelly as the focus of all their attention as well as Armstrong (playing himself) providing excellent music, as only he could. The characters work extremely well together as the witty dialoge flits effortlessly from one to the other allowing the audience to easily keep up with the quick-moving plot.brThey certainly don't make films like this anymore,nor should they try as, in the words of Bing in the movie, they'd "never be able to follow it". Crosby, Armstrong, Sinatra and Kelly? Brilliance! Pure Fun. June 12, 2001 6 out of 8 found this review helpful What a movie! This one is an underated classic, while maintaining a strong relationship with the original storyline, stage and musical excellence is woven into High Society with class and pizazz or should I say jazz? Crosby wins our hearts and manages to carry off the fantastic score with style. Sinatra is cool as a nosy reporter with schoolboy charm and a sexy screen presence. Kelly in her final screen performance is an absolute goddess and the adored subject of many a tune throughout the film. Armstrong is the icing on the cake as he gives the masterpiece real class and a true musical feel. I give High Society and its four heroes FIVE HUGE stars. I doubt another musical comedy will ever exceed its success, charm and pure entertainment value! Pure escapist elegance June 29, 2007 Mr. F. L. Dunkin Wedd 4 out of 5 found this review helpful Next time you have a rainy afternoon to spend with a box of chocs and a video, you can't do better than this. If you hanker for a time when everyone was elegant, witty and blessed with a honeyed voice, this is for you. The music is, of course, the main focus; but there's some brilliant acting going on here as well. br / br /Smashing. Sun, Sea, Sex, Songs, Sinatra, Satchmo + Kelly and Crosby November 14, 2000 crosbieg@logica.com (Dunfermline, Scotland) 5 out of 7 found this review helpful Ah.. where to begin.... This gentle musical comedy is beautifully crafted, lightly paced, easy on the eye and packed full of classic songs. My personal favourites are Now you has Jazz with Bing Crosby at his best fronting Louis Armstrong and his band, and the glorious duet (or should that be duel) between Sinatra and Crosbie Well did you evah. It was Grace Kelly's last movie and she is as elegant as ever if a touch lightweight compared to Katherine Hepburn in Philadelphia Story (the original on which High Society is based), but then Kate Hepburn never sang a sea shanty with Bing Crosby! Overall the original probably edges it in terms of acting ability and screen drama.... but then again... this is a supposed to be a feel good musical. Well I for one feel good every single time I watch it... those songs are just superb... Cole Porter at his best. Take my advice ... spend some of your hard end money and buy it ... after all ... Who wants to be a millonaire ... Showing reviews 1-5 of 18 1 2 3 4 Next »

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