There's really not much one can say in favor of HIGHER AND HIGHER except that it introduced crooner FRANK SINATRA to his fans in his first acting role as a "boy next door" type who sings to the pretty gal across the courtyard (MICHELE MORGAN). Morgan is really a domestic in LEON ERROL's household but pretends to be a young society woman so she can attend the Butler's Ball. That's about it for the plot.
Everybody in the household sings a number of forgettable songs while going about their chores and the script is a featherweight, dull bit of nonsense.
BARBARA HALE makes a fetching appearance as a debutante, and the supporting cast includes MARY WICKES and MEL TORME, but all of them are serving time in a very average sort of low-budget musical.
MICHELE MORGAN struggles with the comic possibilities of the maid but fails to impress as any sort of comedienne. It's up to JACK HALEY and the others to salvage what they can of a trivial script.
FRANK SINATRA croons "I Couldn't Sleep A Wink Last Night" with professional ease and shows why he was the sensation of the bobby-soxers in the early '40s. Sinatra warbles another pleasant ballad at The Butler's Ball ("The Music Stopped"), dancing with Morgan and Barbara Hale. He shows promise in a low-key role and one could easily see that he had the makings of a future star. His smooth rendition of "This Is A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening" is especially good.
As for the film, it's no more than a trifle, sometimes barely watchable but harmless.
Everybody in the household sings a number of forgettable songs while going about their chores and the script is a featherweight, dull bit of nonsense.
BARBARA HALE makes a fetching appearance as a debutante, and the supporting cast includes MARY WICKES and MEL TORME, but all of them are serving time in a very average sort of low-budget musical.
MICHELE MORGAN struggles with the comic possibilities of the maid but fails to impress as any sort of comedienne. It's up to JACK HALEY and the others to salvage what they can of a trivial script.
FRANK SINATRA croons "I Couldn't Sleep A Wink Last Night" with professional ease and shows why he was the sensation of the bobby-soxers in the early '40s. Sinatra warbles another pleasant ballad at The Butler's Ball ("The Music Stopped"), dancing with Morgan and Barbara Hale. He shows promise in a low-key role and one could easily see that he had the makings of a future star. His smooth rendition of "This Is A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening" is especially good.
As for the film, it's no more than a trifle, sometimes barely watchable but harmless.