Higher and Higher (1944)

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(360 ratings)

Higher and Higher was advertised by RKO Radio as "The Sinatra Show", and small wonder: In his first major film role, Frank Sinatra was easily the film's biggest box-office draw. Actually, Frankie was a last minute addition to the film, which began as a traditional adaptation of a popular Broadway… More Higher and Higher was advertised by RKO Radio as "The Sinatra Show", and small wonder: In his first major film role, Frank Sinatra was easily the film's biggest box-office draw. Actually, Frankie was a last minute addition to the film, which began as a traditional adaptation of a popular Broadway musical. Repeating his original stage role, Jack Haley plays Mike, the head servant in the household of millionaire Mr. Drake (Leon Errol). When Drake faces bankruptcy, Mike rallies the servants together and cooks up a moneymaking scheme: they'll pass off pretty scullery maid Millie (Michele Morgan) as Drake's daughter, and marry her off to a wealthy bachelor. Complicating matters is Sir Bictor Fitzroy Victor (Victor Borge), an impoverished nobleman who is himself looking for a rich wife. Mike saves the day with a last-minute discovery in the wine cellar, but not before a series of hilarious and tuneful plot twists involving Millie, heiress Katherine (Barbara Hale), and hired help Mickey (Marcy McGuire) and Marty (Mel Torme). Hastily written into the proceedings as Drake's next door neighbor, Sinatra croons several standards-to-be, including "I Couldn't Sleep a Wink Last Night" and "This is a Lovely Way to Spend an Evening"; he also is arbitrarily permitted the film's closing shot, emerging from heavenly clouds like the Second Coming of Music. Thanks to the film's enormous box-office take, everybody was happy with Higher and Higher--except Jack Haley, understandably miffed that his onetime starring role was whittled down to a supporting part to allow more screen time for the estimable Mr. Sinatra. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Tim Whelan
Written By: Jay Dratler, Ralph Spence, William Bowers, Howard Harris
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 1, 1943 Wide
On DVD: May 13, 2008

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Noted as the film where teen singing idol for the "bobby-soxers" Frank Sinatra had his first starring role in a film.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Cast

            Michèle Morgan as Millie

            Jack Haley as Mike O'Brien

            Frank Sinatra as Himself

            Leon Errol as Cyrus Drake

            Victor Borge as Sir Victor Fitzroy Victor

            Mel Tormé as Marty

            Tanis Chandler as Debutante

            Rex Evans as Mr. Green

            Edward Fielding as Minister

            Elizabeth Risdon as Mrs. Keating

            Buddy Gorman as Page Boy

            Barbara Hale as Catherine Keating

            Grace Hartman as Hilda

            Paul Hartman as Byngham

            Harry Holman as Banker

            Ola Lorraine as Sarah Keatings' maid

            Dorothy Malone as A Bridesmaid

            Marcy McGuire as Mickey

            Elaine Riley as Bridesmaid

            Ivy Scott as Miss Whiffin

            Mary Wickes as Sandy

            Dooley Wilson as Oscar

            Stanley Logan as Mr. Henry Hotel Manager

            Rita Gould as Woman Assistant

            Warren Jackson as Contractor

            Daun Kennedy as Bridesmaid

            King Kennedy as Mr. Duval

            Shirley O'Hara Krims as Bridesmaid

            Robert Anderson as Announcer

            Elisabeth Risdon
            
See full cast

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