Quotes

"Fascism and communism both promise "social welfare," "social justice," and "fairness" to justify authoritarian means and extensive arbitrary and discretionary governmental powers." - F. A. Hayek"

"Life is a Bungling process and in no way educational." in James M. Cain

Jean Giraudoux who first said, “Only the mediocre are always at their best.”

If you have ten thousand regulations, you destroy all respect for the law. Sir Winston Churchill

"summum ius summa iniuria" ("More laws, more injustice.") Cicero

As Christopher Hitchens once put it, “The essence of tyranny is not iron law; it is capricious law.”

"Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." Ronald Reagan

"Law is where you buy it." Raymond Chandler

"Why did God make so many damn fools and Democrats?" Clarence Day

"If I feel like feeding squirrels to the nuts, this is the place for it." - Cluny Brown

"Oh, pshaw! When yu' can't have what you choose, yu' just choose what you have." Owen Wister "The Virginian"

Oscar Wilde said about the death scene in Little Nell, you would have to have a heart of stone not to laugh.

Thomas More's definition of government as "a conspiracy of rich men procuring their own commodities under the name and title of a commonwealth.” ~ Winston S. Churchill, A History of the English Speaking Peoples

“Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through.” ~ Jonathon Swift

Sunday, April 30, 2017

I hate "High Society." I just want it to disappear and turn back into "The Philadelphia Story."

"High Society" is the perfect example of a poor remake put to music. It happens frequently and most turn out badly. "The Wiz" comes to mind immediately. But why did it have to happen to "The Philadelphia Story"?
Anyway, many people enjoy "High Society," including Mark Steyn. But I disagree completely and, as much I think Mark Steyn is one of the best political and social raconteurs, I wish he would never sing, ever. "High Society," as with Mark's singing, has little that is memorable about it. The songs made me do a double take when I saw Cole Porter had force composed them for the film. Clearly not his best. Sinatra and Crosby don't seem to like each each other (they didn't), Grace Kelly is ice cold, just she was in "The Country Girl." Apparently Bing brought out the worst in her, and I don't even remember Celeste Holm being in the film. The only thing good was to see Louie Armstrong at his best (and even Bing detracted from that).
Speaking of Celeste Holm, she was at her best in "Gentlemen's Agreement." Gregory Peck should have dumped insipid Dorothy Maguire and chosen Celeste Holm. That would have been a more satisfying ending for me in that timeless film. 
Back to "High Society," it makes me cringe. I only want Philip Barry's great play that was turned into great cinema, not a retread musical. I want the timing, delivery and great chemistry Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn and James Stewart. The funny lechery of uncle Willie played by Roland Young and the cultured voice from Ruth Hussey, and the perfect musical score by Franz Waxman.
I would be happy if "High Society" had never been made. For me, there is only the "The Philadelphia Story." m/r

High Society
A SteynOnline Audio Special

by Mark Steyn
Mark at the Movies
Celeste Holm was born one hundred years ago today, April 29th 1917, in New York City. She made her name on Broadway as Ado Annie in the original production of Oklahoma! in 1943. Four years later she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Gentleman's Agreement. ...

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