Duet with Bing and Frank - High Society (1956) Discussion

[–] RashomonLaStrada 13 years ago

Different reaction to the same duet --

here was the ONE TIME only duet between Sinatra and Crosby and it's a funny little novelty song... you'd think they'd want to do something more important, more musical!

Reminds me that the one time Astaire and Kelly danced together was to the funny little novelty song "A Babbitt met a Bromide" -- Why not a great musical number? Is this something a big star would prefer? They don't want to share the spotlight for a famous and memorable song?

"The good end happily, the bad unhappily, that is why it is called Fiction."

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[–] Kinokima 13 years ago

This was my favorite part in the movie too although it doesn't quite live up to Cary and Jimmy's similar scene in Philadelphia Story. Even without music that is one of my favorite moments in film.

But it was great to hear Sinatra and Crosby sing together.

I also liked Crosby's song with Louis Armstrong "Now You Has Jazz"

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[–] Eightythreeyearoldguy 13 years ago

Yeah, I see a bit of similarity between this duet and "The Babbit and the Bromide" with Kelly and Astaire. There's a definite similarity there because of the rivalry between the two performers in each case.

I'm the kind of guy, when I move - watch my smoke. But I'm gonna need some good clothes though.

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[–] bradford-1 12 years ago

Actually, there's a Christmas special ffom the late 50s that features Bing & Frank singing various carols. It was not done live, it was filmed, and there's a story of sorts. Sinatra supposedly drops by Bing's house on Christmas Eve. Then for reasons that escape me, they hallucinate that they're in 1840s London, walking the streets with male/female singers.

"We're fighting for this woman's honor, which is more than she ever did."

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[–] TCMer 12 years ago

Same here. Love the duet and the movie.

I know what you're thinking: "Who cares?"

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[–] leader-7 12 years ago

A novelty number like this shows off their comedic skills, and reduces the 'vocal competition' between them. don't forget, even though they were each from two different musical eras, they had similar vocal styles -- Crosby coming of musical age in the 1930s, and Sinatra, 15 years or so later.

The novelty song allowed them the frill of the duet without the threat of one looking better than the other.

Don't forget the egos involved here. two huge recording artists overlapping in the 40s w/ the big band era... So... just sayin'.

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[–] JackBluegrass 11 years ago

Having Sinatra do his part while slightly drunk and Bing sober adds to the warm feeling that the song creates in us.

I especially liked Bing toasting Frank's health, and Frank then toasting Bing's wealth. It was known at the time that Bing was a very successful business man with a lot of money.

Stupid!?! I never called you stupid! To call you stupid would be an insult to stupid people!

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[–] zuzupetal_99 11 years ago

I didn't care for the movie and most of the songs were not memorable for me; however, it was a treat to see Bing & Frank performing this song together. It was fun and cute, and the one spark in the movie.

"Are you going to your grave with unlived lives in your veins?" ~ The Good Girl

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[–] 11 years ago

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[–] hachmom-1 10 years ago

Before I ever saw the whole movie, I saw this scene in "That's Entertainment" and thought it was wonderful. When I finally saw the movie I thought it was one of the true highlights.

It is not our abilities that show who we truly are...it is our choices

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