Please don't misunderstand my title for this review - High Society is a wonderful film, with a warm, feel-good atmosphere, but while it's nice to have on DVD, this movie could have supported a special edition, much like the recent SE of 'Singin' in the Rain'.
The movie begins with the Lord family gathered at their Newport estate to celebrate the forthcoming wedding of Tracy, the ice-goddess daughter of the clan (the stunning Grace Kelly). The problem is, Tracy's father, Seth Lord, has been caught in flagrante with a ballet dancer and Tracy's ex-huband lives right next door. CK Dexter Haven (Bing Crosby, as ever) is determined to win back the affections of his ex-wife, whom he is still in love with, but is hampered by the arrival of Mike Connor (Frank Sinatra, always a better actor than singer) and Liz Imbrie (Celeste Holm, at her comedic best), reporters who are covering the wedding in exchange for keeping Seth's story out of 'Spy' magazine.
As she is affected by her attraction to Mike Connor and the realisation that she still has feelings for Dexter, Tracy's icy facade begins to crack and she remembers that her marriage was not as bad as it seemed. With her wedding day looming can she accept that people are only human and step down from her marble pedestal?
Accompanied by a sparkling Cole Porter score, this retelling of 'The Philadephia Story' practically sizzles with such numbers as 'True Love', 'Who wants to be a millionaire' and 'Well Did You Evah?' and truly stands the test of time.
The film quality and audio on this DVD are excellent but, as I said, there could have been more features and background information, particularly given the parallel events of Grace Kelly's engagement to Ranier of Monaco while this movie was being filmed.
All in all highly recommended for good, family entertainment.
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Music / Performing Arts, Comedy - Director: Trevor Nunn, Geoffrey Posner - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, Parental Guidance - Starring: Duncan Preston, Celia Imrie, Julie Walters, Victoria Wood, Jim Broadbent
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