MovieChat Forums > High Society (1956) Discussion > Why?

Why?

posted 19 years ago by jonasjobbar
26 replies | jump to latest

PHiladelphia Story Was SOO GOOD. Why did they do this? Poor actors being pited against the Giants of the last movie (OK these are Giants too, Celebretywise, not not Performancewise...)

Grace Kelly is probably the most beautyful woman that ever lived, but by far less funny and good as an actress than Hepburn (as are 99% of all actresses).

Frank Sinatra CAN act: See "The Man With the Golden Arm" instead

They sing well though, but I don't really love the songs the are singing

+ Louis Armstrong is just TOO COOL

Cheers

"Where there's a whip, there's a will"

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] marvel88 16 years ago

I'm surprised at the negative comments here; this film surely isn't "The Philadelphia Story," but very good for what it was. I enjoyed all of the actors and the songs.

And I agree with everyone on the notion that Louis Armstrong was plain cool in this.

"I know you're in there, Fagerstrom!"-Conan O'Brien

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Jane_Doe01 16 years ago

Anyone suggesting that this film was anywhere near par with the original or that Grace Kelly was anything more than toss as a performer (in this film and elsewhere) clearly has the brainspan of a toothpick. I'm sorry to break it to the Kelly cheerleaders, since most of them happen to be referencing her looks, but a pretty face is not interchangeable with acting ability.

I do like the post above that referenced Katherine Hepburn's reaction to Grace Kelly's performance. "She didn't study me hard enough". Indeed, and quite honestly there's no amount of studying in the world she could have done to end up coming a mile within Hepburn's league of acting. That's not even to necessarily say I think of Hepburn as the all-time greatest actress either. Kelly is notoriously mediocre, severely lacking in charisma and was all wrong for the role. Like I alluded to in another post, the movie should have been left in 1940.

[–] Errington_92 10 years ago

Shocked by the sheer negativity High Society has received. Though from the same source material, High Society has different intentions than The Philadelphia Story. As a musical, the songs are of primarily concern which were comical (Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?), entertaining (Well, Did You Evah!) and romantic (Mind If I Make Love to You?). Overall each song had a rightful place in the narrative.

As a musical High Society's cast reflects its context with Crosby and Sinatra displaying their natural talents along with playing characters who were equally humorous and sincere.

"I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not".

[–] mollaroo 10 years ago

Too true Jane_Doe01, and I enjoyed the toothpick comment.

[–] jhpen22 10 years ago

+1

Little League vs. MLB all-stars. Except that some kids can actually play baseball. These folks are way out of their depth. Only the music makes it worth sitting through. On another subject, after what we've learned about how she lived her life, Kelly playing a virgin is laughable.

"Once down is no battle." Alan Furst.

[–] jrhpax 8 years ago

This movie has grown on me over the years. Now that I've gotten most of the songs "in my ear," I think they're excellent. I can't imagine why people put down the wonderful cast. (The people who think the divine Grace Kelly pales in comparison to Katharine Hepburn generally can't even spell "Katharine" correctly.)

Just look at the "quotes" section -- this movie is loaded with wit and humor. I think it's one of the most wildly underrated of musicals, and I'd gladly watch it anytime.

[–] liscarkat (16807) 5 years ago

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