High Society (1956)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Charles Walters

Writers:

Philip Barry (play)
John Patrick (writer)

Release Date:

17 July 1956 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

They're all together for the first time!

Plot:

C.K. Dexter-Haven, a successful popular jazz musician, lives in a mansion near his ex-wife's Tracy Lord's family estate...

Plot Keywords:

Reporter | Musician | Tabloid Reporter | Wedding | Marriage

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 nomination

US TV Schedule:

Sun. July 12

4:00 PM

TCM

Cast

Bing Crosby	...	C.K. Dexter-Haven
Grace Kelly	...	Tracy Samantha Lord
Frank Sinatra	...	Mike Connor
Celeste Holm	...	Liz Imbrie
John Lund	...	George Kittredge
Louis Calhern	...	Uncle Willie
Sidney Blackmer	...	Seth Lord
Louis Armstrong and His Band	...	Themselves
Margalo Gillmore	...	Mrs. Seth Lord
Lydia Reed	...	Caroline Lord
Gordon Richards	...	Dexter-Haven's butler
Richard Garrick	...	Lords' Butler

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Perspecta Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Argentina:Atp | South Korea:12 | Portugal:M/12 | Australia:G (original rating) | Australia:PG (alternate rating) | Finland:K-12 | Sweden:Btl | UK:U

Filming Locations:

750 Bel Air Road, Bel Air, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Bing Crosby Productions

Trivia:

Grace Kelly's singing voice was dubbed by Niki Schenck, the 17-year-old daughter of Nick Schenck, boss of MGM's parent company.

Goofs:

Continuity: When he says to Tracy his father was a teacher in South Bend, Mike puts both his hands between his legs. In the next shot he has his hands leaning on the couch by his sides.

Quotes:

Mike: [Dexter is carrying a morning-after-the-night-before drink for Sam] Is that for me?
Dexter: It's for Sam, you want one?
Mike: You know how I feel about my grandmother but I'd sell her for a drink.
Dexter: Uncle Willie's in the pantry doing weird and wonderful things with healing waters. Tell him you'd like one of the same.
Mike: Can I ask for two?
Dexter: Keep going till you run out of grandmothers.
Mike: I'll be drinking a long time.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Ultimate Film (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

True Love

A Night at the Opera!!!

I have a theory about "High Society" and that is that you must regard it as an Opera. Now I haven't lost my marbles and I am not suggesting that Cole Porter is Verdi. What I mean is that the story is so preposterous (as are most Opera plots) that it is best not to question it too closely and just enjoy the movie. Porter's music is sensational (to coin a phrase) and the songs are all well performed. Grace Kelly's rendition of "True Love" (yes, it is her - not dubbed) is delicious and just adds to her allure. Isn't it wonderful just how sexy Ms Kelly is in this film? This is 1956 and there is no flashing of bosom or even leg – just her natural beauty. She spends some time in the bedroom with Frank Sinatra and (improbably) remains chaste. Frank the honourable man!

I watched "The Philadelphia Story" again recently and was surprised how much of the script from that movie was retained for "High Society". If you find the story of High Society silly (it is) then it is really the earlier film you should blame. The set piece musical numbers in High Society are absolute classics – indeed there isn't a dud. It's worth listing them and you'll see what I mean: "High Society Calypso";" Little One";" Who Wants to be a Millionaire ?";"True Love";" I Love You Samantha";" Well, Did You Evah"; "Mind If I Make Love To You";" Now You Has Jazz";" You're Sensational". WOW!

When you go to the Opera you want great music, good performances, lovely sets and some sort of feel good factor. With "High Society" you get all this and more. It is played tongue in cheek (how could it not be?) and that is how it should be. Keep your "Film noir" or your "Cinema Vérité" – give me High Society every time!