Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Charming, boozy musical remake has less screwball humor.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
High Society (1956)
What's the Story?
The day before her wedding to self-made millionaire George, HIGH SOCIETY socialite Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly) finds none other than her ex-husband Dexter (Bing Crosby) hanging around the house. Back in town for a jazz festival, Dexter freely admits he's still in love with Tracy. Meanwhile, magazine reporter Mike Connor (Frank Sinatra) arrives to cover the wedding festivities. As Mike gets to know Tracy, he starts falling for her, hard. Now Tracy's being pulled in at least three directions. We know love will triumph in the end, but whose?
Is It Any Good?
Classic Hollywood charm, a fantastic musical soundtrack, a crazy love triangle (or maybe more of a square?), and legendary talent. High Society's got all that in spades. Frank Sinatra shows teen idols how it's done with "You're Sensational." Bing Crosby swings with Louis Armstrong, especially hot in "Now You Has Jazz." A fun and funny script will engage viewers between songs. Grace Kelly, in her last movie before she married a real-life prince, is unfortunately a little uneven. But her beauty and elegance shine. There's a lot to love here.
Don't look for madcap shenanigans, though. If you've seen The Philadelphia Story, you'll find most of that stuff's been replaced by musical numbers. And even though it's a musical, this version of the story is much lower key than the Grant/Hepburn/Stewart classic. So kids might find it, and the adult themes, a little too understated to hold their interest. But if you or your kids love musicals, or if you're fans of Hollywood's golden era, this one's a must-see.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about all the drinking in High Society. How do movies and TV make drinking seem fun or cool? What do they (or don't they) say about the dangers and consequences?
How about the smoking? What do we know about the dangers now that they didn't know in 1956?
Which song or songs do you like best? Why?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 17, 1956
- On DVD or streaming : April 22, 2003
- Cast : Bing Crosby , Grace Kelly , Frank Sinatra
- Director : Charles Walters
- Studio : MGM
- Genre : Musical
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 111 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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