CLIMBING HIGH

UK, 1938, 78 minutes, Black and white.
Jessie Matthews, Michael Redgrave, Alistair Sim, Francis L. Sullivan, Torin Thatcher, Noel Madison, Basil Radford.
Directed by Carol Reed.

Climbing High is a creaky old musical from Britain of the late 30s. Small budget, studio bound. However, it is of historical interest with stars Michael Redgrave and Jessie Matthews, Alistair Sim in an early supporting role, such character actors as Francis L. Sullivan as an operatic madman and Basil Radford as a friend. And it was directed by Carol Reid who was to work with Redgrave in Kipps. The film is very much a variation on the drawing room comedy of the 30s - with a touch Canada and Lumber Jacks and Swiss Mountains.

1. Interesting and entertaining musical comedy from Britain in the 30s? Historical Interest?

2. Black and White photography, studio work? Small budget? The stars, the director?

3. The title - and the finale in the Swiss alps?

4. Diana, her work with the children, sharing the flat, her girlfriend, Max and his Bolshevik perspectives? Being knocked down my Nicki? The modelling job and her success? The meetings with Nicki, his pretending to be John Smith, modelling with her? Falling in love, the lyrical interludes? The chance encounter with Constance, the discovery of the truth? Her clashing with him? Everybody going to Switzerland -and her brother's anger? In Switzerland, on the mountainside? Meeting the madman? The happy ending? the British heroine of the 30s?

5. Nicki, friends with Reggie? Out of the country, wealthy? Returning, knocking Diana over - twice?. The infatuation? The announcement of his engagement, the attempts to talk to Constance and her Mother? The visits to Constance and her illness? Meeting Diana, finding out her name, posing as John Smith, the Modelling? The romance - including singing with the madman at the picnic? The truth? Going to Switzerland, meeting Jim, the clash, rescuing Diana, the happy ending?

6. Max, Alistair Sim's comic style - as a middle-aged man, the picture of misery, out of shape, used as a model? His Bolshevik beliefs? The comic touches with the women? Modelling?

7. The advertising man and his secretary? The hustle and the models? the sets? Employing Max, employing Diana, employing John Smith? The disaster with the wind machine? His bright idea and their going to Switzerland?

8. Constance and her mother, their poverty, deceiving Nicki, getting the announcement in the paper? Her pretending to be sick, her mother helping in the manoeuvres? The impoverished family? Her going to do the modelling, discovered by Nicki, planting the story in the press?

9. Jim, work in Canada, tough, protective of his sister, the return home, his reaction against the advertising? To Switzerland and the fight with Nicki?

10. Popular ingredients of the drawing room comedies, a touch of singing with Jessie Matthews, romance with some exotic touches?