High Society (1956)

C.K. Dexter-Haven, a successful popular jazz musician, lives in a mansion near his ex-wife's Tracy Lord's family estate. She is on the verge of marrying a man blander and safer than Dex, ... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Walters

Writers:

John Patrick (screenplay), Philip Barry (play)

Stars:

Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

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

Storyline

C.K. Dexter-Haven, a successful popular jazz musician, lives in a mansion near his ex-wife's Tracy Lord's family estate. She is on the verge of marrying a man blander and safer than Dex, who tries to win Tracy's heart again. Mike Connor, an undercover tabloid reporter, also falls for Tracy while covering the nuptials for Spy magazine. Tracy must choose between the three men as she discovers that "safe" can mean "deadly dull" when it comes to husbands and life.

---

Plot Keywords:

reporter | musician | marriage | wedding | tabloid reporter | 

---

Taglines:

They're all together for the first time!

---

Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 July 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Alta Sociedade

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$2,700,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Sol C. Siegel Productions, Bing Crosby Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

Perspecta Stereo (as Perspecta Sound®) (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Features the song Who Wants to Be a Millionaire which gave the successful TV quiz show its title.

---

Goofs

In the "Did You Evah" sequence the boys walk out of the library, wait a few beats and come marching back in to the bar. When Connor picks up the champagne, it still has the cork in place. But Connor immediately pours, without removing the cork/ the cork has magically disappeared.

---

Quotes

Mike: [drunkenly] If you had really know her, you would've
[hiccup]
Mike: never let her get away. You go hiccups.
Dexter: Excuse me.
Mike: It's alright.

---

Connections

Featured in Kisses (1991)

---

Soundtracks

"High Society Calypso"
(uncredited)
Written by Cole Porter
Performed by Louis Armstrong

User Reviews

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!