MGM, 1956
Starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Celeste Holm
Directed by Charles Walters
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Let's return to the US for another romantic comedy, this one a bit more down-to-earth. The Philadelphia Story debuted on Broadway in 1939 as a vehicle for Katherine Hepburn. She appeared in the film version a year later, with Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart. MGM returned to the material in 1956, this time with Kelly in Hepburn's role of the society beauty who learns a lesson in humility from her ex-husband and two tabloid journalists. How does this retelling fare now? Let's join Louis Armstrong and his band on the road to Newport, Rhode Island, and find out...
The Story: Tracy Samantha Lord (Kelly) wants everything to be absolutely perfect for her upcoming wedding to prominent mining executive George Kitteredge (John Lund). That includes keeping out her ex-husband C.K Dexter-Haven (Crosby). He lives next door, where he's organizing a jazz festival that includes Armstrong and his band. Tracy's little sister Caroline (Lydia Reed) and her mother (Margalo Gilmore) adore Dexter, but Tracy thinks his songwriting is vulgar.
She's even more offended when journalists Liz Imbrie (Holm) and Mike Connor (Sinatra) from tabloid magazine Spy also arrive at the party. Their editor wants them to take pictures of the wedding in exchange for not printing a salacious article on Tracy's divorced father (Sidney Blackmer). They don't think much of Tracy or her wedding at first, especially once Tracy and her family try to appear affected and silly to get rid of them. Drunk on champagne, Tracy first takes Mike to her uncle's house to explain that the rich have their own problems, then winds up in his arms at the party the night before her wedding. Now Tracy has to figure out which man she really loves...and realize that she wants to be a lot more than an ice goddess to be admired.
The Song and Dance: One of my favorite Cole Porter movie scores highlights this brittle confection. Kelly does better with Tracy in ice goddess mode in the beginning than the fluttery young woman who is brought down to earth by a supposed indiscretion. Sinatra isn't bad either as the skeptical reporter who learns that the rich have their problems, too. Love the gorgeous costumes, a variable 50's fashion plate in a riot of soft sherbets and florals and floaty tulle for the ladies and smart dark suits for the men.
Favorite Number: We start off with Armstrong giving us an explanation of what we're about to see and what happened with Tracy and Dexter's marriage in the rollicking opening number "High Society Calypso." Dexter delights Tracy's smitten little sister Caroline with the lilting ballad "Little One." Caroline is so charmed, she promptly declares them engaged. Mike and Liz make their own comment on the veddy rich as they admire Tracy's wedding gifts and ask "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" Dexter introduces Armstrong and his band in "Now You Has Jazz." Mike and Dexter make their own commentary on the scandals of the rich, including Tracy, in "Well, Did You Evah!"
The hit song was "True Love," a gentle ballad that turns up in a flashback near the middle of the film. Tracy recalls her honeymoon with Dexter after he gives her a model version of their yacht the True Love. Crosby sings with Kelly laying back on him, and even she tosses in a few decent lines.
Trivia: Last film for Grace Kelly and Louis Calhern. After she made this movie, Kelly married Prince Rainier of Monaco. Kelly wore her actual engagement ring during the film.
What I Don't Like: For all the color and terrific music, the movie frequently lacks the sparkle of its predecessor The Philadelphia Story. Crosby is too laid-back to suggest a husband desperate to get back into his wife's good graces, and Kelly is a much better ice queen than she is a goddess who has fallen off her pedestal. Wish they could have integrated Louie Armstrong and his band better, too. They have two of the film's best numbers, including that great opening.
The Big Finale: The terrific songs alone makes it necessary for fans of the cast, Porter, or the MGM musicals of the 1950's.
Home Media: As one of the more popular MGM musicals, this is very easily found on DVD or streaming.
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