13
Apr
2012
High Society (1956) introduced by Tina Sinatra
Last night officially kicked off the 2012 TCM Film Festival. One of my favorite movies, High Society, was set to be screening poolside at the Roosevelt Hotel. What a perfect setting it would be, as there are even a couple of pool scenes in the film. Unfortunately, the wind knocked the screen down just prior to the start time and the screening was moved indoors to a gathering space known as Club TCM.
Nevertheless, it was still great to hear Tina Sinatra talk about what Frank was like as a father, their relationship as she got older, and his style. She said his favorite saying was “do as I say, not as I do” which got a laugh from the crowd. In this excerpt from the interview, Tina discusses Frank’s offscreen personality as well as his relationship with Bing Crosby, who co-stars in High Society.
9
Apr
2010
Classic Classroom: Gossip Girl
For those of you who think this second post about Gossip Girl is two too many (*cough* Alix), hear me out. The powers at be at GG must love classic film because week after week, the episode titles are inspired by movies from the golden age of Hollywood.
Hi, Society (High Society): 1956 remake of The Philadelphia Story starring Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra. You can read our review here.
High Society
Roman Holiday (Roman Holiday, 1953): Audrey Hepburn plays a princess who escapes royal life for a day, Gregory Peck is the newspaper reporter who accompanies her. Hepburn won the Best Actress Oscar for this performance.
The Magnificent Archibalds (The Magnificent Ambersons, 1942): An Orson Welles film about an upper class Midwestern family in the early 1900′s.
It’s A Wonderful Lie (It’s A Wonderful Life, 1946): James Stewart plays a man who is saved from committing suicide by his guardian angel. It’s the movie that’s always on tv during Christmas.
It's A Wonderful Life
Gone With The Will (Gone With The Wind, 1939): My favorite all-time film. The film follows the life of headstrong southern belle Scarlett O’ Hara through the Civil War and its aftermath.
Southern Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Gentleman Prefer Blondes, 1953): Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell movie featuring the song “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend”.
Enough About Eve (All About Eve, 1950): As we’ve said many times on this site: watch. this. movie. Bitingly clever script. Impeccable cast. And narration by Shere Khan (yes, from The Jungle Book).
Sassy McSasserpants (Bette Davis) in All About Eve
The Lady Vanished (The Lady Vanishes, 1939): One of Alfred Hitchcock’s British films. Referenced by Carrie Fisher in When Harry Met Sally with the line “You’re the most contemptible person I’ve ever met…”.
The Treasure of Serena Madre (The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, 1948): John Huston (Anjelica’s dad) directed this notable Humphrey Bogart film. The line “We don’t need no stinkin’ badges” in Blazing Saddles is a variation of one of the lines from this film.
28
Jun
2009
Review: High Society (1956)
Starring: Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra
Co-Starring: Celeste Holm, Louis Armstrong, Louis Calhern
Directed by: Charles Walters
Other notable contributors: Cole Porter – music, Helen Rose – costumes
Favorite scene: Pre-wedding party. Grace Kelly’s character, Tracy, has a little too much champagne and funny lines follow.
Favorite line: ”I’m sensational. Everybody says so!” – Tracy
Raves: While I love films in black and white, High Society was made for Technicolor. The brightly colored sets and rich costumes add to the sprightly tone. The Cole Porter songs are lighthearted, hummable little ditties that move the film along at a nice pace. My favorite one, “Well Did You Evah?” features Frank and Bing duetting and dancing in the library. A line in that song makes reference to the real-life changing of the guards in popular music:
Bing ad-lib: “buh bum bum bum”
Frank: “Don’t dig that kind of crooning, chum”
Bing: “You must be one of the newer fellas”
Rants: Very few. Can be a little silly at times.
My take: Grace Kelly, Cole Porter tunes courtesy of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, vibrant Technicolor, the plot of The Philadelphia Story – what’s not to love? While the original 1940 non-musical version has better actors in the three leading roles (Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and Jimmy Stewart) High Society is more fun. I watch this film about once a month.
Recommended if: you’re looking for a fun, lighthearted movie for a sunny afternoon and you don’t mind musicals.
Modern-Day Counterpart: My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) – both have a strong, central female character with a lesson to learn and good use of music.
As Louie Armstrong says, “end of story!”
