Climbing High

Climbing High
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Carol Reed
Written by	Lesser Samuels
Based on	an original story by Lesser Samuels Marion Dix
Produced by	Michael Balcon
Starring	Jessie Matthews Michael Redgrave Noel Madison Margaret Vyner Alastair Sim
Cinematography	Mutz Greenbaum
Edited by	Al Barnes Michael Gordon
Music by	Louis Levy
Production company	Gaumont British Picture Corporation
Distributed by	MGM (UK) Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation (US)
Release date	November 1938 (1938-11) (UK)
Running time	78 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Budget	£94,018

Climbing High is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Carol Reed and starring Jessie Matthews, Michael Redgrave, Noel Madison, Margaret Vyner and Alistair Sim. It was written by Sonnie Hale, Marion Dix and Lesser Samuels and produced by Michael Balcon.

Plot

Nicky Brooke is a wealthy young man who despite his engagement to the aristocratic (and broke) Lady Constance Westaker falls for hard-up model Diana Castles after nearly running her over with his car. In an effort to distance himself from 'tabloid' created tales of his playboy lifestyle, he changes his name and attempts to woo Diana by pretending to be poor.

Cast

Production

Climbing High was filmed at Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire by Gaumont British Picture Corporation.

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This conventional story is enlivened by some good slapstick. Otherwise the film is distinguished by laboured innuendos, both in situations and dialogue, and by general lack of taste: madness is treated as a hilarious joke. The stars perform their obvious roles efficiently, and a team of excellent supporting players manage to get down to the level of their parts."

Kine Weekly wrote: "Enthusiastic and resourceful team-work offsets to a considerable extent the obvious, and so do the many exuberant gags, but the film would have been better Jessie Matthews and, at the same time, better entertainment had the star been given an opportunity to sing and dance. Somehow this type of fare needs the encouragement of musical embellishment. Still, in spite of this, it is quite a sound light booking."

Variety wrote: "The most hardboiled picturegoer is bound to find lots in this production to laugh about. ... All nicely acted, staged and produced."

References

External links

• Climbing High at IMDb