TIFF BELL Lightbox - Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly- From Movie Star to Princess

TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX EXHIBITION
November 4, 2011 to January 22, 2012: Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess

The exhibition will feature rarely-displayed items and artifacts ranging from Kelly’s days as one of Hollywood’s most popular actresses to a princess of one of Europe’s oldest royal families. Based on the Grimaldi Forum’s The Grace Kelly Years exhibition in Monaco, and the Victoria and Albert Museum’s Grace Kelly: Style Icon exhibition in London, TIFF Bell Lightbox is the only venue in North America to host elements from these landmark shows and to complement the exhibition with a dedicated film programme.

Many of Kelly’s original dresses, a special exhibit around an exact replica of her iconic wedding gown, her signature “Kelly bag” and tiara will star in the exhibition, along with images from her childhood scrapbooks and high school yearbooks, letters signed “Affectionately, Hitch,” telegrams from Prince Rainier and her Academy Award® for The Country Girl. Kelly’s personal home movies – shot on Super 8, and featuring her famous friends and family – will provide visitors with an extremely rare glimpse into her personal life.

In the Hitchcock icy blonde series, 3 of Kelly’s films, DIAL M FOR MURDER, REAR WINDOW AND TO CATCH A THIEF will be presented.  (See associated article for capsule reviews for the latter 2 films).

In addition, a Grace Kelly holiday Retro is also presented that includes her first film, FOURTEEN HOURS and her swan song performance in HIGH SOCIETY.  See capsule review below:-

For more information of films, program, showtimes, venue and ticket pricing, check the TIFF Bell Lightbox website at:

http://tiff.net/cinematheque

HIGH SOCIETY (USA 1956) **
Directed by Charles Walters

Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly)’s approaching wedding to George (John Lund) is being sabotaged by reporters (Celeste Holm and Frank Sinatra).  To makes matters worse, her ex-husband Dexter (Bing Crosby), a successful jazz musician, who lives next to his wife’s family estate intends to gate crash as he is till in love with her.

But the trouble is THAT Tracy has not grown up and is till in love with Dexter.  If the plot sounds familiar, HIGH SOCIETY is a remake of the Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant/James Stewart THE PHILADELPHIA STORY and a poor one at that.  Walter’s film is a lacklustre musical remake boasting new Cole Porter songs (the song TRUE LOVE is especially endearing) and the Louis Armstrong band.

The trouble with this film is that it just drags along with a predictable plot.  The humour is too slight but at least the musical numbers, though a distraction livens up the show.  The diet between Crosby and Armstrong is the most entertaining segment of the film while the duet choreography between Holm and Sinatra is the most embarrassing.

The film should be seen for Kelly swan song performance.  With all due respect, Katherine Hepburn delivered more class and respect to the role of Tracy Lord but of course no one can match the Princess’s beauty.

(Special Screenings at the TIFF Bell Lightbox December 21st and 23rd at 6.30pm)