• High Society Film Screening during Palm Springs Jazz Festival
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Palm Springs International Jazz Festival

High Society Film Screening

High Society Film Screening

Get ready to swing and swoon at the screening of the hi-def restoration of High Society (1956), followed by a discussion with renowned jazz expert and Bing Crosby biographer, Gary Giddins, and an exhibition of the gown Helen Rose designed for Grace Kelly for the film.

Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong, and Frank Sinatra join Grace Kelly in delivering unforgettable music, sharp wit, sparkling romance, and iconic midcentury style!

High Society follows a glamorous socialite whose upcoming wedding is thrown into comic chaos when her ex-husband and a witty reporter arrive on the scene. With jazzy musical numbers, quick-fire banter and zany misunderstandings, the film bubbles with energy, playful romance, and show-stopping performances — making it a true celebration of jazz and Hollywood screwball comedy.

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"End of song beginning of story"

The film centers on Cole Porter's iconic score, blending jazz and pop standards with legendary performers like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly and Louis Armstrong.

Key memorable songs from the soundtrack include the Oscar-nominated romantic ballad "True Love" (Bing Crosby/Grace Kelly). The playful duet "Well, Did You Evah!" (Bing Crosby/Frank Sinatra), and the witty "Who Wants to be a Milliionaire?" (Frank Sinatra/Celeste Holm). "Now You Has Jazz" (Louis Armstrong/Bing Crosby)

Watch the clip to see the entertaining opening scene with Louis Armstrong and his band, the All-Stars performing "High Society Calypso". The band featured Edmond Hall (clarinet), Trummy Young (trombone), Billy Kyle (piano), Arvell Shaw (bass) and Barrett Deems (drums).

Gary Giddins

Special guest jazz critic and author Gary Giddins will discuss the film after the screening. He wrote for The Village Green; his column "Weather Bird" from 1973-2003. His biographies of Charlie Parker (Celebrating Bird) and Louis Armstrong (Satchmo) were adapted into documentary films for PBS. Gary continues as an author and educator for the history of jazz.

American Jazz critic Martin Williams called Gary Giddins “the most impressive journalist ever to have written about music.”



Learn more about Gary Giddins

Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra

The dress MGM designer Helen Rose designed for Grace Kelly is on exhibit at the Palm Springs Historical Society. Here is the version worn in the scene where Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra dance as Frank sings "Mind If I Make Love to You" a Cole Porter song written for the film.

Palm Springs Historical Society
McCallum Adobe Museum
221 S Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs

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Free Film Screening

If you purchased a VIP All Access Pass you automatically are invited to attend for free. The 1956 Film of "High Society" will be screening at the newly renovated Plaza Theatre. Sunday, February 22, 2026 at 9:00 am. Reserved seats for VIP ticket holders.

Jazz Fest attendees you will receive details included with your jazz tickets one week prior to the Jazz Festival.

General admission tickets for the film, available to the public can be purchased at ticketmaster Plaza Theatre