Judging from most reviews to this time, not many dedicated comedy fans have seen this film. "Climbing High" is a 1938 British film of a type of crazy comedy that Hollywood turned out occasionally in the 1930s and 1940s. These are mixtures of farce, satire, slapstick, screwball, witty dialog and just plain zany comedy.
So, it's only fair to warn any prospective viewers now and audiences of the future. If one doesn't like the madcap comedy of the Marx Brothers, you may not enjoy this film. If one doesn't like the antics of The Three Stooges, you probably won't like this film. If one doesn't laugh at the pratfalls, goofs and boners of Laurel and Hardy or Abbott and Costello, you won't find much of this film funny. If one doesn't enjoy screwball comedy, you're not likely to appreciate this film. If one doesn't enjoy satire and spoofing of segments of society, you won't enjoy those parts of this film. And, if one can't laugh at brisk, witty and funny lines of dialog exchange, it's almost certain you won't enjoy this film.
But for movie fans who do enjoy most or all of the above types of comedy, "Climbing High" should be riotously funny. Because it is all of the above, and then some. It has elements to match the best work of the comedy teams mentioned above. A lengthy scene with a wind machine that turns a huge studio and stage arena into a tornado matches the zaniest scenes from Hollywood. It's right up there with the best of the comedy film matches of actors Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard, Fred MacMurray, William Powell, James Stewart, Michael Wilding, and others, teamed with actresses Jean Arthur, Claudette Colbert, Irene Dunne, Carole Lombard, Myrna Loy, Anna Neagle, Rosalind Russell and others.
In short, "Climbing High" is one wacko British film that has almost everything comedic. It is a satire, farce, madcap, wacky and screwball comedy. I don't know if the writers for this film liked the Marx Brothers. But "Climbing High" could easily have been right out of the portfolio of Groucho Marx and company. About the only thing this film doesn't have is a vehicle chase. But, it has a mountain climbing scenario that matches or betters any movie vehicle chase for laughs.
This film is in the vein of "You Can't Take It with You" of 1938 that starred James Stewart and Jean Arthur; or "A Day at the Races" of 1937 that starred the Marx Brothers, Allan Jones and Maureen O'Sullivan; or "Road Show" of 1941 that starred Adolphe Menjou, Carole Landis and John Hubbard.
This film was a big hit in the U.K. in 1938. I don't know if it was shown in the U.S., or if it ever made it to late night TV. I just discovered this gem and am glad I did. It's a wonderful addition to my comedy library, in which I keep only the best of the genre. Here's an outline of the plot with its several hilarious sidetracks.
The main plot has Nicky pursuing Diana. There are two subplots to that. The first, with the film opening, is Diana and her roommates Patsey and Max trying to get work to pay their back rent so they can keep their apartment. The second subplot is a woman and family of British title but broke. Lady Constance and her mother, Lady Emily, are conniving to snare Nicky into marrying Constance.
Completely separate smaller plots would otherwise have nothing to do with the story and in a mystery would be called red herrings. But they are woven in here, much like the great Marx Brothers comedies, for pure hilarity. They are the escapist themes that turn a regular, very funny comedy, into a wacky farce and help cement "Climbing High" as genuine screwball comedy that fits the definition perfectly.
Two fantastic British actors and one American provide much laughter in these scenes. Alastair Sim is the disgruntled Max, a communist who hates money and disdains working for it, but who makes a good model for sculptors and advertising. Francis L. Sullivan, a noted stage and film actor for dramatic and character roles, gives one of his few comedy performances in this film. He is "Madman," an asylum escapee who thinks he's the world's greatest virtuoso singer. And Noel Madison is Mr. Gibson who runs the largest, swankiest, bizarre advertising agency and plant imaginable - in London.
The last laugh comes as the film ends. The audience is aware that the gold-digging Constance's plan took her out of the race for Nicky all along. Yet she and her mother, Lady Emily, are clueless, and they're probably sitting in their hotel playing cards and thinking they've won. What a hoot.
All of the cast are fantastic. Jessie Matthews carries her leading comedy role off superbly with Michael Redgrave in a nice role as a straight man. Basil Radford provides smiles as Nicky's friend, Reggie. And, Enid Stamp-Taylor deserves mention for her very funny and bubbly role as Winnie.
Here are some sample lines to whet one's appetite for a feast of wonderful comedy.
Patsey, "You're supposed to be a man." Max, "We don't recognize sex in the party." Patsey, "Must be a dull party."
Max, "Didn't I promise to send your wife to a concentration camp?" Mr. Hamilton, "And I'm depending on it, comrade."
Diana, "Can you imagine? He wanted me to have tea with him and then sue him."
Reggie, "If they can get a title out of Henry the Eighth, they can get a wedding ring out of you."
Diana, "Eight million people in London and you have to pick on me."
Gibson, "Isn't he magnificently revolting?"
Reggie, "Those Canadians shoot first and talk afterwards."
Jim, "No jury would convict a man for defending his sister's honor. Out West, we'd elect him mayor."
