High Society Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A wealthy woman can’t decide which handsome millionaire to marry, so she gets drunk and jumps in a pool while jazz music plays, because that’s a completely rational decision.

🍿 High Society: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Impending Nuptials

Tracy Lord, a wealthy socialite, is preparing for her wedding to George Kittredge, a man seen as safe and dependable. Her ex-husband, C.K. Dexter-Haven, a jazz musician, lives nearby and still harbors feelings for her. Dexter’s presence creates a ripple of tension amidst the wedding preparations.

Tabloid Intrusion

The wedding attracts the attention of Spy magazine, which sends reporter Mike Connor and photographer Liz Imbrie to cover the event. However, they are also tasked with digging up dirt on Tracy’s estranged father. Mike finds himself unexpectedly drawn to Tracy, complicating matters further. The presence of the tabloid reporters adds an element of chaos and scrutiny to Tracy’s already complex situation.

Drunken Revelations

On the eve of the wedding, Tracy, under the influence of alcohol, experiences a series of revelations and misadventures. She shares a kiss with Mike, and then ends up taking an unexpected swim in the pool. These events force her to confront her feelings and question her choices.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly): A wealthy and somewhat rigid socialite who must choose between her fiancé, her ex-husband, and a charming reporter.
• C. K. Dexter-Haven (Bing Crosby): Tracy’s charming ex-husband and a successful jazz musician who attempts to win her back.
• Mike Connor (Frank Sinatra): An undercover tabloid reporter who falls for Tracy while covering her upcoming wedding.
• George Kittredge (John Lund): Tracy’s somewhat stuffy and proper fiancé who seeks to marry into high society.
• Liz Imbrie (Celeste Holm): A witty photographer and Mike Connor’s colleague who provides a grounded perspective on the events.
• Uncle Willie (Louis Calhern): Tracy’s wealthy and mischievous uncle who adds comedic relief to the story.
• Louis Armstrong (Louis Armstrong): A famous jazz musician who plays himself, serving as a musical and observational presence throughout the film.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• C. K. Dexter-Haven: “The prettiest sight in this fine pretty world is the privileged class enjoying its privileges.” – Said with a hint of sarcasm, capturing the film’s commentary on wealth and social class.
• Mike Connor: “You’ve got fires banked down in you, hearth-fires and holocausts.” – Mike speaks about Tracy with admiration of how much she hides behind her wealth.
• Tracy Lord: “I’m a cold goddess.” – Tracy describes herself, reflecting her initial perception of being aloof and unapproachable.
• C. K. Dexter-Haven: “She has merely been untouched, that’s all.” – Dexter, speaking about Tracy to Mike, implying she’s yet to experience true passion.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,700,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,800,000
• Worldwide Gross: $13,358

💥 High Society Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely adore High Society! It’s pure escapism with fantastic music. Seeing Grace Kelly in those gowns is mesmerizing. ‘Well, Did You Evah!’ is my favorite song, the chemistry between Bing and Frank is infectious. The ending is a bit predictable, but who cares when everyone’s singing and dancing?

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic musicals”
  • “Admirers of Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra”
  • “Those who enjoy lighthearted romantic comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in 1950s cinema”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild language”
  • “Depiction of alcohol consumption”
  • “Brief comedic portrayal of marital infidelity”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “High Society offers a vibrant, musical take on the classic tale. While it doesn’t surpass the original, the lively performances and memorable Cole Porter score make it a delightful cinematic experience. Grace Kelly shines, and the inclusion of Louis Armstrong adds a unique flavor.
• New York Times: “Though well-intentioned, High Society struggles to capture the spark of The Philadelphia Story. Sinatra and Crosby bring their charm, but the remake feels somewhat diluted, relying too heavily on musical numbers. Kelly’s performance, while elegant, lacks the sharp wit of Hepburn’s original.
• IMDB: “Charming but not a patch on the original. Watch this for the music not the drama. The three leads all deliver and it’s nice to see Grace Kelly having fun on her last movie outing.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the music, with ‘True Love’ being a standout favorite.: The musical numbers and the pairing of Crosby and Sinatra were highly praised.

Grace Kelly’s beauty and elegance were constantly mentioned as highlights.: Kelly looked radiant and embodied the elegance of a high-society socialite.

Overall Consensus: A charming but somewhat shallow remake of The Philadelphia Story, remembered mostly for its music and star power.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “High Society is a musical remake of the 1940 film ‘The Philadelphia Story’.”
• “Grace Kelly’s last film role before becoming Princess of Monaco.”
• “Cole Porter wrote ‘True Love’ specifically to accommodate Grace Kelly’s limited vocal range.”
• “Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby’s duet ‘Now You Has Jazz’ was so successful that they recorded an album together a few years later.”
• “The film was shot on location in Newport, Rhode Island, adding to its authenticity.”

🖥️ How to Watch High Society?

Currently, ‘High Society’ is available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Availability may vary by region. Check local listings for potential broadcast options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed High Society, you might like these similar films:

• The Philadelphia Story (1940): The original non-musical version of the same story, with Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and James Stewart.
• How to Steal a Million (1966): A sophisticated romantic comedy with Audrey Hepburn set in high society, focusing on art and deception.
• An American in Paris (1951): Another lavish MGM musical from the same era, featuring romance, great music, and dance numbers.
• Crazy Rich Asians (2018): A modern romantic comedy exploring themes of wealth, family, and tradition within high society.

🛒 High Society Related Products

• High Society (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the magic of Cole Porter’s timeless score with this digital download of the original soundtrack. Includes all the classic songs from the film.
• High Society (DVD): Own a piece of cinematic history with the High Society DVD. Experience the glamour of the 1950s and the magic of this musical classic.
• High Society Movie Poster: Decorate your space with a vibrant High Society movie poster. A stylish tribute to this iconic film.
• Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra: The Ultimate Duets: Enjoy the magical synergy of Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra in this collection of their best duets.

🎧 Soundtrack

High Society features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “High Society Calypso” – performed by Louis Armstrong
• “True Love” – performed by Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly
• “Well, Did You Evah!” – performed by Bing Crosby & Frank Sinatra
• “Now You Has Jazz” – performed by Bing Crosby & Louis Armstrong
• “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” – performed by Frank Sinatra & Celeste Holm
• “You’re Sensational” – performed by Frank Sinatra

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The “Dirty Duchess” Who Rocked High Society

Ever wonder what the REALLY rich and famous get up to behind closed doors? This video dives into the scandalous life of Margaret Campbell, the ‘Dirty Duchess’, and it’s honestly wild. It’s like a real-life ‘High Society’ drama!

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