Higher and Higher

Director: Tim Whelan, Tim Whelan, Sr. Tim Whelan

Overview

In his first starring role, Frank Sinatra plays a rich kid living next door to bankrupt entrepreneur Drake (Leon Errol), who schemes to rebuild his fortune by marrying off his maid (Michele Morgan) into wealth.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/18/2019
UPC:	0883929689958
Original Release:	1943
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[B&W]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:30:00

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Michele Morgan	Millie Pico aka Pamela Drake,Actor
Frank Sinatra	Frank Sinatra
Victor Borge	Sir Victor Fitzroy Victor aka Joe Brown
Leon Errol	Drake
Marcy McGuire	Mickey
Mary Wickes	Sandy
Elisabeth Risdon	Mrs. Keating,Mrs. Keating
Barbara Hale	Catherine Keating
Mel Torme	Marty
Paul Hartman	Byngham,Hilda
Dooley Wilson	Oscar
Ivy Scott	Miss Whiffin
Rex Evans	Mr. Green
Stanley Logan	Hotel Manager
Ola Lorraine	Sarah
King Kennedy	Mr. Duval,Bridesmaid
Robert Anderson	Announcer
Elaine Riley	Bridesmaid
Shirley O'Hara	Bridesmaid
Dorothy Malone	Bridesmaid
Rita Gould	Woman Assistant
Harry Holman	Banker
Warren Jackson	Contractor
Tanis Chandler	Debutante
Drake Thornton	Bellboy
Edward Fielding	Minister
Buddy Gorman	Page Boy
Jack Haley Jr.	Mike O'Brien
Shirley O'Hara Krims	Bridesmaid
Jimmy McHugh	Composer
Roy Webb	Composer

Technical Credits

William Bowers

Ralph Spence

Jay Dratler

Howard Harris

Tim Whelan	Director,Producer
William Bowers	Screenwriter
George Arthur	Executive Producer
Ralph Spence	Screenwriter
Tim Whelan Sr.	Producer,Director
Jay Dratler	Screenwriter
Howard Harris	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Higher and Higher is far from a classic movie musical, and it would justifiably be forgotten as just a minor effort were it not that it represented the first time that Frank Sinatra appeared onscreen in what could be called a substantial role. Cast as himself, Sinatra still has what amounts to a supporting role, and his relationship to the actual plot is minor; essentially, he comes on to sing 5 songs and is given some lightweight dramatic chores to handle. Sinatra eventually became a huge screen star, but he's very much in a nascent stage here. He's not entirely comfortable on camera, and the legendary ease he would later develop is missing here. Even so, he makes a definite impression, especially when given the chance to let out with a song. Then the film suddenly takes on a little bit of magic. When Sinatra's not around, Higher concerns itself with a trifling, ridiculous plot that stretches credulity and is far too contrived. The score is pleasant-to-good, but not in the same league as the score the Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart created for the original stage production -- of which only one of the lesser songs was kept for the film. Jack Haley does well with one of his few leading man roles, and Michele Morgan is a welcome presence, but it's the supporting players -- Victor Borge, Mel Torme, Mary Wickes, Barbara Hale -- that give Higher its zing. The supporting players and Sinatra, of course.