High Time (1960) User Reviews

Reflections on High Time

[Rennaman · 7/10 · 27 April 2008]

This movie has a special place in my heart. When I was but a young tad in Stockton, CA (about 6 years old) my mother heard that they were filming a moving with Bing Crosby a couple of miles from our house. I remember her taking me to the set and walking around fraternity row at the University of the Pacific trying to get a glimpse of Bing.

I don't recall ever seeing him, but when the film came out, I enjoyed it very much. Years later, I have seen it a few times, and have visited the campus (even took a class there and was involved in starting a new fraternity at the school. The film molded by idea of what college life was, and so in that way had a long lasting positive effect on me.

Parts of UOP still look the same if you care to check it out. (It was also used to film some of Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark and Brainstorm).

My only complaint about High Time itself is that the two conflicts (needed to move along a story) are too weak for my tastes, but as another person who commented above me, it is a fun movie.

Fun Time

[loblolly33 · 7/10 · 6 February 2006]

This is a pleasant and entertaining movie, with a good atmosphere. Some of the gags in it are forced, but the cast pulls it off with a good bit of aplomb, and the movie captures a lot of the good spirit of the late-50s and early-60s. It is also a good example of early Blake Edwards.

My family saw it at a drive-in movie. The scene that struck us most was a particularly amusing profile of a man caught in a "compromising position" during the school's drive to collect lumber for the school bonfire.

This film is probably pretty dated now, but is a good nostalgia piece, and a good vehicle for Bing Crosby.

Bing and Blake go to college

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 23 February 2017]

Being someone who has always enjoyed Bing Crosby's singing, and who has seen him capable of giving good acting performances, and who has enjoyed a good deal of Blake Edwards' work, interest in 'High Time' was high.

While not a great film, and not one of Edwards' best by a long shot (nor is it one of his worst), 'High Time' does have a sense of fun factor and good-natured charm and it is very difficult to be too hard on it. As an Edwards film 'High Time' may disappoint (more onto that later), but for Bing Crosby fans this fits the bill very nicely.

The episodic story does feel disjointed in places (with all the different antics devised just to keep Crosby busy and to give conflict) and for 100 or so minutes it also feels too lightweight and like there isn't enough to sustain it. The script does have some nice moments, but also its dull and too silly moments.

Plus for Edwards, compared to the energetic slapstick and verbal humour one often sees 'High Time' is tame stuff (though due to still having some distinct traits, like the visual style, the opening sequence and Henry Mancini for composer it's at least, compared to earlier efforts like 'Bring Your Smile Along', recognisable as an Edwards film).

However, 'High Time' is a very nice-looking film, attractive use of colour, skilfully filmed and with elegant set and costume design. Henry Mancini's music score is suitably bubbly, and the songs are a high point, especially Sammy Cahn and Jimmy van Hueson's Oscar-nominated "The Second Time Around".

As was said earlier in the review, it is hard to dislike the film even with its imperfections, but it has such an appealing good-nature and charm and there are some amusing moments, Crosby's drag act at the ball being a highlight.

Despite being somewhat long in the tooth Crosby ladles on the charm and copes capably in the comedic stakes. His supporting cast don't hinder him in any way and suitably youthful.

In summary, charming and enjoyable but could have been better. 7/10 Bethany Cox

An exceptionally delightful film

[buono-2 · 12 October 2000]

I first saw this film in 1962 and really enjoyed not only the plot, but the music by the great Henry Mancini. The theme song, "The Second Time Around" especially added to the overall effect of the picture. The movie harkens back to a time of youthful bliss that I think a lot of us would like to once more capture. This "look back" was done with great sensitivity and imagination, and is truly a delightful motion picture. I was most fortunate to see it again in 1995, on the AMC channel, 33 years after I first saw it.

a little known winner

[WorthlessKnowledge · 7/10 · 20 October 2014]

Despite some silliness such as Bing in drag for a costume ball, this is an enjoyable film, remade as "Back To School" with Rodney Dangerfield, which -although funny- will never be as 'class' as a film starring Bing Crosby. Of course, Bing sings!

I liked the numerous references to the south, like one where Bing Crosby says "...I'll go down to Nags Head and kill myself." To which the french teacher replies something like: 'don't kill yourself, I've done it, and it's terribly boring!' Lots of great lines like that in this film, and it's full of wholesome college fun. Watch for 'Captain Stubing' as a teacher, he's funny.

And the women in this - WOW! The french teacher (Madame Gauthier, who Bing liked) was the perfect example of the rare but mesmerizing combo of the red-haired yet brown-eyed beauty. Tuesday Weld was her usual (yet much underrated) sexy kitten. And another: Nina Shipman (as Bing's on screen daughter) who later played the role of nurse "Miss Fairchild" in an episode on The Andy Griffith Show (she was Howard Sprague's possible love interest). But the best for last: Yvonne Craig (later Batgirl), so smokingly awesome. I love how someone referred to in this film as walking into a room looking like a very young {as in very hot} librarian. That is so spot on - and she was dating Elvis at the time!

Slight but a nice time-passer.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 7 July 2017]

"High Time" is a decent little time passer--pleasant but also not especially deep or significant. It begins with a rich older man, Harvey Howard (Bing Crosby) deciding to go to college. His snobby kids are dead against it but surprisingly the kids at the college take to Harvey very well and he forges many friendships as well as spends time with a pretty French teacher.

Like most films about college, you rarely see the folks going to classes, though there is more studying than usual! My only gripes about this film are two...the ending where Harvey 'flies' is pretty dumb and the relationship with the French teacher is oddly flat and unsatisfying. Not a bad film by any means but not one you should rush to see.

You are never too old to go back to school...and I think if we all had this experience, more of us might!

[cgvsluis · 7/10 · 9 February 2023]

This was a surprisingly fun look at actual college life. Bing Crosby plays Harvey Howard, a successful 51 year old hamburger chain owner who decides to go to college. As he points out, to his two adult children's dismay, he is a high school graduate and there is no age limit to enrolling as a freshman and he wants all the college experiences. Along those lines, Howard moves into the freshman dormitory and ends up rooming with Gil (Fabian), Bob and T. J. These four become fast friends as college roommates are won't to do. They studied together, played sports together and made the freshman bonfire together. It's during his freshman year that Howard meets Helene Gauthier, a professor of French language and literature. Howard survives his freshman year...and as his friends get into a fraternity they rope Howard in too and so it goes, fraternity pledging, more sports and more studying.

You would think a film staring both Fabian and Bing Crosby would have a ton of singing...but you would be wrong, they both do one song each and the focus really is on the positive experiences of college life.

This was surprisingly enjoyable even though I was expecting it to be a musical. I liked the mature romance between Howard and Helene...even protecting her and her job. I also really liked the positive and uplifting look at college life.

Overall this is a fun collegiate film that really ends on a high note. I recommend it to classic film fans and fans of Bing Crosby as I think this would be an excellent fall or "back to school" film!

A generation gap groaner; it guarantees low returns...

[moonspinner55 · 1/10 · 25 May 2008]

Restaurateur Bing Crosby enrolls as a freshman in college. One-idea comic concept is as flimsy as it sounds, with Bing--living in the boys dormitory--ingratiating himself to the students by passing out the occasional cigar, acting younger than his age, participating in the pep rally bonfire, and by doing chin-ups in Phys Ed (which, the filmmakers tell us, is mandatory in college!). The real teenagers all act like they're still in grade school, and the university's faculty fare no better. Before you can even begin to wonder why director Blake Edwards was attracted to this material (except for, perhaps, the money) comes the proverbial comical dream sequence and, worse than that, a high society ball which requires Crosby to dress in drag. It's a drag, all right. * from ****

A High OldTime!

[legwarmers1980 · 10/10 · 7 November 2005]

This Bing Crosby film is just a good old time of fun. A great Sunday evening movie on a rainy night.

Bing is great in one of his best screen roles. He captures the humor separating the generations, yet in the end shows that there really wasn't much difference after all.

High Times captures the college life of the late 1950s, a time of fun, enjoyment, friendships, and romance. The movie captures a time before drugs, booze, and hazing turned into the Animal House of the 70s and the dismal destruction of today. One of the film's best scenes was Bing in drag for his frat party.

So, if you like Bing Crosby, college fun, light comedy, romantic fluff, you will enjoy watching High Times.

A fun, breezy little film and a precursor to "Back To School"

[price-89136 · 7/10 · 30 June 2019]

Our film professor screened this for us to discuss some of the interesting camera work during transitions, but we wound up having a great time.

Make some popcorn and settle in with friends and just enjoy it

High Time they Stopped Making Movies Like This *1/2

[edwagreen · 4/10 · 29 January 2011]

The problem with films where an older person decides to go back to college is that they obviously can't rely on academics that much and bring out the idea that college is for fun, dances, and other nonsensical things. "High Time" falls for this as well. As always, you never saw the academic year to go by so quickly.

Bing Crosby first sings a little more than an hour, as he croons Love's Even Lovelier the 2nd Time Around. Nicole Maurey, who co-starred with Crosby in the wonderful "Little Boy Lost," is his romantic interest in this film. She's the French-literature teacher, who might have to leave when Crosby's jealous daughter tries to create the usual scandal.

Needing a break from the intense "Diary of Anne Frank," Richard Beymer was probably happy to be in this film. Other than a little dancing, he contributes very little as is the case with co-stars Tuesday Weld and Fabian.

Gavin MacLeod is the idiotic chemistry teacher. Isn't the case with most chemistry teachers?

Crosby dresses up in drag and he looks like a civil war Agnes Morehead in the process. With confederate dressing and a band wearing wigs of George Washington's era, the whole thing is one silly mess.

Crosby's valedictorian speech at the end is uplifting, but by then, you can't wait for this film to end.

Bing With Younger Generation

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 25 April 2004]

This is one of the best Bing Crosby's later films. He only gets to sing two songs in it, The Second Time Around and It Came Upon A Midnight Clear during a Christmas hayride with some of the rest of his younger cast members.

Bing is 53 year old Harvey Howard, self made millionaire restaurant franchise owner, who's decided to go back and do a lot of the things he missed when he was younger which included a college education. That in itself is an intriguing character for me. I've met a lot of self made types in my life who think because they are successful and make a lot of money in one field, they're omni-competent. Just the fact that Harvey Howard IS going back to college to improve himself intellectually and broaden his horizons is a plus for me with this character.

I read an interview with Fabian once who said that Bing was great to work with and put him right at ease. Fabian had just done one feature film called Hound Dog Man and it was less than a success. After High Time he went on to a pretty good career in films during the sixties.

The Second Time Around was the last of 15 songs that Bing introduced in films that was nominated for an Academy Award, a record not likely to be broken. It lost to Never On Sunday. It was a million selling song, but ironically not by Bing. Frank Sinatra took the song and he made it a big hit, probably the only time in Bing's career this ever happened.

The kids are just fine, Fabian, Tuesday Weld, Richard Beymer (a year away from West Side Story)Patrick Adiarte. Gavin MacLeod has some very funny moments as Bing's comic nemesis and absent minded chemistry professor and Nicole Maurey strikes the right note as the French teacher that widower Crosby falls for.

A really great feel good movie.

Get Some Rest!

[fredrickstafford · 2/10 · 25 August 2008]

I am a fan of the early Hope-Crosby "Road" pictures and thought to give this a look.

Even by 1960 standards the plot is hooky and contrived. The "humor" is a series of long runs for very short slides and watching Bing flirt with young co-eds and "woo" an attractive Professor twenty years his junior is painful if not laughable.

Bing, as the middle aged man who goes back to college and shows the younger generation he's still "hip," looks REALLY REALLY tired and in poor health in this film. He actually looks more like he should be checking into a hospital than flawlessly pulling off a series of amazing physical feats. So be prepared to suspend belief with extreme prejudice.

Fabian, who my parents informed me was somewhat of a "knock-off" Elvis/Ricky Nelson, is quite forgettable.

A young Yvonne Craig who went on to play Batgirl in the television series is fairly cute and charming.

There's also running "pratfall" gag with Gavin MacLeod that is unfunny and lame.

It is almost inconceivable that Blake Edwards sandwiched this clunker in between Operation Petticoat and Breakfast at Tiffany's, but I guess even the greats have the occasional embarrassment.

Extremely light, no plot, Students Would be Listening to "Their" Music

[tr-83495 · 4/10 · 18 September 2019]

Very light, no plot. Main criticism: 18 year old freshmen in 1960 would not be listening to 1930s and 1940s music -- this is what Bing would do. We never hear anything contemporary.

The kids would be listening to the top 40 of the day and the events, dances, etc. would be organized around what was happening in 1960 -- and that includes music. The kids would not be excited about Bing singing old 30s and 40s songs, no matter how good they were.

Wonderful family fare in typical Blake Edward fashion.

[louisb · 8/10 · 5 September 1999]

This is Bing Crosby at his comical best. A very over-the-hill millionaire decides to return to college and get his degree. He goes through all the usual trials and tribulations of the normal undergraduate, including initiations, all-night crash studying, and falling in love. Unfortunately, at his age, his "girl" happens to be one of the faculty, and dating or marrying faculty members is forbidden. Even his kids (he's widowed) frown on his decisions and add to the comedy and light drama. This is one of director Blake Edward's best. A wonderful family movie with something for everyone.

Tame on Content and Shallow on Story

[MRavenwood · 5/10 · 25 March 2011]

The story: An older wealthy businessman who's a widower goes to college to get the education his own spoiled kids never bothered with. It's not BAD it's just uninteresting. Bing Crosby is a HUGE star and is not appropriate for this project; he's too hip for this film and simultaneously too square for this bit of fluff. Further, the notion that a man at 51 (who is interested enough in life to return to college) is not interested in a romantic relationship with an available and beautiful woman is so far beyond foolish it won't stand analysis. On a technical note, perhaps using the iconic facade of Royce hall at UCLA, and further locations at Valley College was not the smartest move when the story calls for ice skating and snow scenes. VERY confusing. Again, not BAD, just not worthy.

Relaxing movie

[alc01 · 8/10 · 7 October 2002]

A fun romp of a 50 year old Bing Crosby returning to college after becoming a multi-millionaire. He seeks to be just one of the gang. I really enjoy this Blake Edwards "clean" movie. A "Happy Days" type look at life in the late 50's or early 60's.

Of course Tuesday Weld and Fabian add spice but it is Gavin MacLeod that steals many scenes. (Is it just me or has anyone else notice how the younger he was when the movie was made, the older he looks? And the older he gets the younger he looks?)

It is just a plain fun easy time with lots of giggles and a few good laughs.

The Boring world of Bing Crosby

[fatcat-73450 · 4/10 · 30 August 2022]

Rarely do I witness films become outdated and completely made irrelevant by later iterations, remakes, or spiritual successors, but it happened here.

This is a movie about college debauchery starring Bing Crosby as a man in his late middle age who goes back to school.

It's in the vein of Animal House or any such fraternity farce, just much tamer. He impresses his classmates, gets into some wild antics, goes drinking and dancing, joins a fraternity, etc. In short, everything you can see in Animal House or Revenge of the Nerds but much blander. If you've seen the later movies in this genre, you've seen wilder and more updated versions of this.

And this was meant to be a college exploitation film, the plot is duly inane. Bing Crosby is a rich guy who wants to go back to school in his 50s to get a college degree. It's never clear why. There's no drama about it. It's not like he made a promise to his late mother or anything. He "falls in love" with a female teacher near his age he only met a few times. We don't really see why or how, she's just kind of similar in age to him. OK. He doesn't get into the fraternity but then gets in for no reason. He doesn't seem to care. OK. And, yes, this apathy is a recurring theme - he plays the role with extreme stoicism. Imagine Charles Bronson in a college farce.

In other words, things just happen to Bing Crosby and he's just taking it all in. And they don't do much with what they have. He's old but he does the same thing as young people without skipping a beat. And since they all dress, move, and talk similarly, he never even looks that old. He's supposedly extremely rich, but you wouldn't be able to tell if it hadn't been stated. The actor, Bing Crosby, is supposedly a renowned singer, but he only sings one or two short songs.

It's watachable, but I can't see why someone would watch this when not only are there better films in the genre, but the definitive version of this plot has already been made into one of the greatest comedies of all time. Maybe just for the 60s outfits.

Honourable Mentions: Back to School (1986). A remake? Rodney Dangerfield stars as a lewd, gaudy, freewheeling retail magnate with a stone-faced bodyguard who goes back to college to help his son gain a spine. Rodney Dangerfield's and Paulie's (from Rocky) finest performances, the definitive middle-aged-man-goes-back-to-school movie, and one of the greatest comedies ever made.

Delightful clean fun, one of the most enjoyable films ever.

[joe-495 · 10/10 · 23 March 2000]

Although I have not seen this film for more years than I can recall, it was so memorable that I think of it frequently and wish that I could see it again. Too bad that so few (if any) films of this quality and calibRE seem to be made any more. The theme song, "Love is lovelier the second time around" was an Academy Award nominee or winner I believe and deservedly so. High Time would be one of fewer than a dozen films that I would rate a "10."

Excellent 'Feel Good" movie

[VetteRanger · 10/10 · 14 April 2008]

High Time is a wonderful Bing Crosby vehicle that has a successful middle aged businessman with grown children (and a widower) indulging a whim by taking a step back in his life to get the college education he missed the first time around.

While a seeming slam dunk to be a "fish out of water" comedy, instead Crosby's character finds a way to integrate successfully with his younger classmates, learning from them as they also benefit from his experience.

The movie records a lot of the college experience as you would have found it in the 50s or early 60s. It was a more innocent, more friendly time, with school spirit, dorms, frats, cramming, and the excitement of coming back together to start each new school year.

This is a wonderful film that stands up well. Things such as fall bonfires were and still are common campus traditions. Fraternity pledging pranks ... still around. Dormitories ... still around. Hamburger/Barbecue restaurants ... still around. LOL

Is the movie a touch simple and innocent compared to modern life and modern comedy fare? Sure it is. But trust me, that is NOT a bad thing.

Sit back and enjoy this very entertaining and relaxing film.

A feel good movie and a lesson about life

[jweiner-1 · 8/10 · 24 November 2001]

This movie does two things to you after you have seen it. It make you feel good and makes you want to go college. Besides being a feel good movie, it also teaches us a lesson that it is never too late to go forward in life no matter what age you are as Bing Brosy did so well in this movie. A good cast and script, some good music and you have a winner of a movie. No violence and it does very well for itself. I wish they would make more movies like this now

Bing Crosby Meets Fabian

[m_finebesser · 8/10 · 4 August 2001]

Bing Crosby plays a millionaire in his sunset days who decides to get his college degree. It is very reminiscent of the 1982 Dangerfield vehicle, Back To School, only this one has entertaining songs in addition to light screwball comedy. This is a very good movie to relax to when you're in a mode to laugh, smile, and avoid anything challenging.

I can't believe this wonderful film isn't available on Home Video

[BillK-5 · 10/10 · 16 July 2005]

I discovered this delightful film in the late 1980s when I saw it on TV and enjoyed it immensely. Bing Crosby gives a wonderful performance in this film and exudes a warmth much like that in "White Christmas" (1954) and Nicole Maurey does an excellent job as his French teacher/love interest. The duo of Tuesday Weld and Fabian add 1960 star power, and this is a great opportunity to see a young Gavin MacLeod and Yvonne Craig before they became even more famous as TV stars. Patrick Adiarte is also wonderful as Indian student T.J. Padmanabham. The story is well crafted and involving and of course family friendly, perhaps the most family friendly of Blake Edwards' work. The Henry Mancini soundtrack is IMHO one of his best and will stick with you for a long time. (It was available on CD but is currently out of print.) Of course any time you hear a Jimmy Van Heusen/Sammy Cahn song it's a treat, and "The Second Time Around" is one of their best.

As far as highlights, the scene when the gang visits one of Harvey's own Smokehouses will have you both laughing and pining for a time when such restaurants existed. You could see the movie's end stunt coming a mile away, given Harvey's fondness for the key phrase involved, but it's still wonderful.

However, being shot in 2.35:1 CinemaScope, the presentation does suffer from horrific pan and scan when shown on TV; I've no idea why, given the success of the virtual remake Back To School, this film hasn't been released on a widescreen DVD as it deserves; I suspect some type of conflict with the film or music rights that hopefully will be resolved soon.

A light-hearted comedy that is a joy to watch

[jeaniebnz · 9/10 · 14 November 2006]

I caught this movie on the AMC morning movie yesterday. It was charming, bouncy and fun- everything a good, clean comedy should be. I enjoyed the music and the wholesome-ness of the show. Too bad we don't have movies like this made any more. The cast is full of fresh faced kids (Richard Beymer, Tuesday Weld, Fabian) who later went on to bigger projects. The storyline is upbeat and it is a pleasure to watch the time progress in the movie by using holidays and activities as a dateline. Ben Crosby is generally not a favorite of mine, but I actually enjoyed him in this role. High Times made me yearn for the days of simpler times (bonfires, hay rides, cotillions). The remake (Back to School) is just not the same. High Time is a thoroughly enjoyable movie to watch!

So cute!

[HotToastyRag · 9/10 · 19 November 2018]

I thought with a supporting cast of Fabian, Tuesday Weld, and Richard Beymer, High Time was going to be ridiculous. I was expecting to roll my eyes and turn it off, but it was adorable! Millionaire Bing Crosby thinks it's "high time" someone in the family graduated from college, so he enrolls as a freshman at the age of fifty-one. After decades of getting called "Dad" by Bob Hope, he pokes fun of himself in this film by letting all the teenie-boppers tease him about his age. He studies, pledges for a fraternity, participates in hazing activities, and lives on-campus with jazz-loving, hip kids. With a ridiculously cute theme from Henry Mancini, the scenes fly by as quickly as college does.

It's worth noting that back in the day, it took quite a bit of bravery to admit you were a certain age, since that certain age was met with a stigma. Going back to college now at whatever age is no big deal, but in 1960, telling millions of Americans in the theaters that you're over fifty was no small feat. Bing, who aged very well, quickly attracts the attention of one of his classmates, but his tastes run to one of his professors. While most of this movie is cute, funny, and charming, there is one scene that will make you cry: Bing sings "The Second Time Around" to his teacher during one of their dates.

Obviously, I recommend this movie, even if you think it's going to be stupid. It'll be much cuter than you think, I guarantee it. If you liked Back to School, you need to see the original.