High Society – Grace Kelly Blogathon

High Society is one of my favorite films of all time, so I was surprised when I realized I had yet to write about it! I know people have great love for its predecessor, The Philadelphia Story, but there’s just something about this film that makes me love it even more… and I’m a huge fan of the actors in Philadelphia too. The actors here are equally great, and I’m a sucker for musicals (except the sad ending ones, but that’s a discussion for another time).

This article is for the Grace Kelly Blogathon, and while this may not be her highest critically acclaimed performance, she is delightful as Tracy Lord. Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby working together and dueting make this one a must-see… not to mention the brilliant additions of Celeste Holm and Louis Armstrong. With a cast like this, I find it impossible not to love it.

The addition of the music is so much fun and adds to the story. These performers are truly doing what they do best and it’s so much fun to watch.

If you choose to buy this film, I may earn a commission as an Amazon affiliate. Grab it here on DVD or streaming!

Synopsis

We open with Louis Armstrong and his band en route to Dexter’s (Crosby) old house, which conveniently enough is next to his ex-wife Tracy’s. While they jam, they tell us the backstory about how Dexter’s former wife is going to marry a new guy and how Dexter is there to host the jazz festival. When she finds out he’s back, she storms over there to confront him and accuses him of planning the festival to coincide with her wedding the next day. He quickly admits he’s still in love with her. She doesn’t seem all that surprised and leaves to welcome her fiance.

Cue further problems when Spy Magazine discovers that Tracy’s dad cheated on her mom with a chorus girl and the editor decides to blackmail them into letting them cover Tracy’s wedding in exchange for not running the article detailing his infidelity. They send a writer (Mike, played by Sinatra) and a photographer (Elizabeth, played by Celeste Holm), who know nothing about this arrangement and think they’re just there to cover the wedding. Tracy and her younger sister Carolyn mess with them by acting insane and welcoming.

Tracy then decides that Mike needs a dose of what being rich really means, so she takes him to her uncle’s house that needs to be sold to pay the high taxes on it. Sinatra sings her a love ballad as only he can, further complicating things for Tracy, who now has a fiance, ex, and new man all interested in her. Such a hard life for our beauty.

That night is the co-bachelor/bachelorette party, where Tracy gets drunk to ignore her returning feelings for Dexter and her new feelings for Mike. She and Mike have a late night dance and swim, which George (her fiance) takes to mean they did more than that. The morning of the wedding, everyone is hungover as hell and Mike confirms that nothing else happened between the two of them. While George decides that he’ll still marry her, Tracy rejects him because she no longer wants a perfect man (which was the problem she had with Dexter since he was human).

Exes get back together! Mike and Elizabeth hook up.  Bam! End of story!

The Players

Grace Kelly

This film not only marked Grace’s last, but it also was the only she sang in. She accompanied Crosby on the song “True Love” and also in a drunken reprise of Frank’s song “You’re Sensational.” Rumor was things were also hot and heavy between her and Bing when she starred in The Country Girl and that he was in love with her. She also had a thing going with Sinatra. Talk about a real life love triangle!

All the drama aside, I adore her in this film. She’s funny and her acting is on point. It really makes me think that she cut off her career in her prime to marry the prince. I wonder what other performances we might have had if she hadn’t married him at this point.

Bing Crosby

Bing is really in his element here too, like most of the cast. He’s funny, handles the material well, and gets to sing some great songs and duets throughout.

Frank Sinatra and Celeste Holm

I just adore these two together. Their comedic timing and duet are both brilliant. They play off each other well, just as they do in The Tender Trap.

Louis Armstrong

Louis is such a brilliant addition to this cast. He helps move the story along and comment on the happenings.

Background Trivia

This was Grace’s final film and the rock on her hand was her real engagement ring

In the scene where George makes her rest because she’s drunk, we get a great look at her huge engagement ring. It’s a bit unbelievable that George would be able to buy a diamond that huge (10.5 carats!), but it is cool to see her actual ring.

The song “True Love” marked a significant event

Not only was this the only time Grace sang in a film, but it was a million seller. Both Bing and Grace received platinum records. Since she married the prince before this was awarded, it is the only time that a platinum record was given to sitting royalty.

The song “Well, Did You Evah?” was a brilliant afterthought

Frank wanted to be in this film to sing with Bing, who was his childhood idol, but they almost missed the opportunity. The song was added at the last minute once they realized there wasn’t a song for them to sing together. This was the first scene I ever saw of this film and was immediately captivated. It’s hilarious with Frank’s drunk speech and dancing, and they way they poke fun at each other.

This was Louis Calhern’s (Uncle Willie) final screen appearance

He died while filming The Teahouse of the August Moon in Japan.  Because of this death, the role was recast, making this film his last. He was only 61 when he died of a heart attack.

Inspired the title of the show Who Wants to be a Millionaire

This brilliant duet by Celeste and Frank inspired the title of the famous show.

What if…?

Elizabeth Taylor had played Tracy

She was the first choice but unavailable. I’m not sure how it would have gone if the violet-eyed beauty had played Tracy instead. I haven’t watched as many of her films, so I’m not sure how to answer this. I would definitely miss Grace’s charm and humor. What do you think?

If you like alternative history or biographical/historical fiction, I write that as well under the pen name Dottie Fray.

If you choose to buy this film, I may earn a commission as an Amazon affiliate. Grab it here on DVD or streaming!

This article was originally posted for The 6th Annual Grace Kelly Blogathon, check out all the entries!