Opened: June 17, 1956

Directed by: Charles Walters

Starring: Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Celeste Holm, John Lund, Louis Calhern, Sidney Blackmer & Louis Armstrong

A musical remake of The Philadelphia Story, this film fails to compare to its predecessor despite strong performances by the cast.

Tracy Samantha Lord (Grace Kelly) is getting married to George Kittredge (John Lund), and her ex-husband C. K. Dexter Haven (Bing Crosby) keeps getting in the way as he lives next door. Spy Magazine reporters Mike Connor (Frank Sinatra) and Liz Imbrie (Celeste Holm) are sent to cover the wedding and have dirt against Tracy’s father (Sidney Blackmer).

Kelly is playful as Tracy, but she never quite hits the comedic points like Katherine Hepburn. She also manages to avoid singing for the most part leaving the majority of it up to the more vocally inclined Crosby, Sinatra and Louis Armstrong. It’s a treat to see Crosby and Sinatra croon together.

Final say: Cute but The Philadelphia Story is better. ★★★☆☆