Today’s quick review: High Society. On the eve of Tracy Lord’s (Grace Kelly) high society wedding, her ex-husband C.K. Dexter-Haven (Bing Crosby) drops by uninvited in an effort to win her back. But he faces competition from not only George Kittredge (John Lund), her husband-to-be, but also Mike Connor (Frank Sinatra), a tabloid reporter sent to cover the wedding. With her future ahead of her, Tracy must decide which man is the right one for her.
High Society is a comedy romance, a classic musical, and a remake of The Philadelphia Story. High Society retains the plot and characters of the original but introduces a musical twist. Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra lend their acting and singing talents to a light comedy about love, wealth, and marriage. However, slight weaknesses in the movie’s plot and dialogue keep it from living up to its full potential.
High Society’s best feature is its cast. The lead trio are all formidable singers, and the film gives them ample opportunity to show off. Louis Armstrong joins them in a supporting role, acting as the story’s commentator and musical accompaniment. The film sports likable characters with interesting dynamics, and their banter provides the bulk of the film’s comedy.
However, High Society struggles to match The Philadelphia Story. High Society streamlines the original plot but ends up cutting out a lot of the story’s richness in the process. The dialogue has little of the sharpness of the original, even when directly quoted. The songs, though enjoyable, are often tangential to the story. High Society also suffers from the loss of The Philadelphia Story’s stellar supporting cast.
The result is an entertaining watch that falls short of its predecessor. Give High Society a try when you’re in the mood for a bit of singing, a bit of humor, and a bit of romance. Though not as expertly written and performed as The Philadelphia Story, High Society’s impressive cast and charming story are enough to let it stand on its own. For a Bing Crosby musical with a more memorable soundtrack, try White Christmas.
7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a strong cast, good humor, and a decent story, let down somewhat by its various changes.