High Society (1956)
Directed by Charles Walters

Film Review

High Society is a shamelessly glitzy remake of The Philadelphia Story (1940) which, despite having more star power than the Orion Nebula and Crab Nebula combined, would have some difficulty out-dazzling a ten watt light bulb.  The fault lies in the acting, which is generally impeccable (and what you would expect from the stellar cast), but a plodding screenplay, which lacks the pace and quickfire humour of the original, and the mostly unimaginative direction by its far from distinguished helmer Charles Walters.  The last film that Grace Kelly made before she gave up acting to became Mrs Prince Rainier III, High Society would appear to have everything going for - some memorable Cole Porter numbers, an ensemble of superbly talented performers (include the incomparable jazz giant Louis Armstrong).  But it's all so complacent and falls down massively in the execution.  Instead of being the sparkling tour de force it should have been, and deserves to be, it ends up as merely a mildly entertaining, somewhat faded timewaster.

Part of the problem is that Bing Crosby was just too old for the character he plays (he was in fact more than twice Grace Kelly's age, and looks it - at times he looks positively comatose).  Frank Sinatra gives great value, as ever, but you can't help feeling that he is wasted on such middle-of-the-road fare as this.  Admittedly, the film does occasionally comes to life -  the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? number (that's the song, not the ghastly game show it inspired) is a show-stopper if ever there was one - but for the most part it is sluggish and distinctly unhumorous.  High Society was a huge hit when it was first released in 1956, and whilst it is held in high regard by some, it falls short of the high level of excellence that Hollywood set for itself in the musical comedy department in the 1950s.

Film Synopsis

On the eve of her wedding to businessman George Kittredge, Rhode Island socialite Tracy Samantha Lord receives an unexpected, and unwelcome visit from her first husband, the jazz musician C.K. Dexter Haven.  Before the reunion can turn nasty, Mike Connor, a reporter from Spy Magazine turns up at the Lord household, with his photographer, Liz Imbrie, to write a story on the impending marriage.  One evening, Tracy has too much to drink and falls into the arms of Mike Connor, and then the swimming pool.  The next morning, Tracy realises that she is loved by three men and wonders which one of them she should marry...