High Society (1956)

Directed by Charles Walters. Starring Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Celeste Holm, John Lund, Sidney Blackmer, Lydia Reed, Louis Armstrong, Louis Calhern, Margalo Gillmore.

Polished but unecstatic musical remake of The Philadelphia Story—musician Crosby wants to win back his socialite ex-wife (Kelly), who’s set to marry a dullard (Lund), but a tabloid reporter (Sinatra) looking for a scoop on the upcoming nuptials gives her a third romantic option. Lavish trappings given a glossy veneer, and the pic’s not without some light humor and charm, but the whole thing pales mightily compared to the original, with a batch of mostly mediocre Cole Porter tunes (including the rather unseemly song “Little One” where Crosby croons about marrying eleven-year-old Reed when she grows up) replacing a good number of small scenes and witty lines that are missed. No shortage of star power on the marquee here, either, but there’s simply no replacing the Philadelphia cast—lovely Kelly (in her final film role before marrying Prince Rainier III of Monaco) is too low-key and refined to nail her daffiest moments, and Crosby is practically insensate compared to Cary Grant’s endearing pest. Adequate but superfluous, even with a swelligant, elegant duet between Crosby and Sinatra. Also the final screen appearance for veteran actor Calhern, who died shortly after finishing the film. Armstrong plays himself.

55/100