Customer Reviews

Swing High, Swing Low [VHS]

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I can only affirm what the reviewer from Germany said, to wit: avoid the cheap dubs of "Swing High..." at ALL costs - they really are unwatchable, much like the public domain version of "My Man Godfrey" - although that film looks pristine compared to this one. My particular video was distributed by Diamond Entertainment Corp. and says "Mastered from the Original Studio Print" on the box. Baloney!! Until this gets a proper release from Universal, which owns all these pre-1948 Paramount films, pass on "Swing High, Swing Low". Consider yourself forewarned, and save your money!!!!

I suggest to everyone,who is interested in this movie,to buy it only if he has to.. the quality is very bad,almost unwatchable. But that goes for almost every video from MADACY ENTERTAINMENT,so please avoid it

This film was one of the most popular films of the late 1930s and probably one of the least remembered films pairing Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray. It was a pretty prestigious production in its day; it was directed by the legendary Michell Leisen. Maggie King (Lombard) meets a soldier Skid Johnson (MacMurray) during a cruise through the Panama Canal. Maggie stays in Panama where her relationship with Skid turns from one of annoyance to love. The two work together in a local nightclub, where Skid gains fame as a trumpet player. A visiting talent scout gives Skid the opportunity to make it big in the States. Encouraged by Maggie, Skid travels to America, leaving Maggie behind in Panama. On his road to success, Skid is manipulated by his crafty vocalist Anita Alvarez (Dorothy Lamour in an early role), which in turn, ends up damaging his relationship with Maggie. Skid's career and personal life take a downturn and he realizes that all he really wants is Maggie's love and the simple life they had together. If you are a Lombard/MacMurray fan, this film is a must, but unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a decent DVD version around. It deserves a restoration and some commentary. Still, it's worthwhile to see the irresistible Lombard and a great cast of supporting players including Jean Dixon, Charles Butterworth, and a very young Anthony Quinn. There's also a funny bit in the beginning of the film with Lombard, Dixon, and Esther Howard in a beauty salon aboard ship. Howard was a popular character actress under contract at Paramount and pops up in just about every Preston Sturges movie.

Carole Lombard was a talented star. She could play drama, comedy and
screwball at the drop of a hat. Her co=star Fred MacMurray gives her
a run for the money in this one. I recommend it to anyone who likes
jazz, comedy and drama rolled into one good film for the ages.

Mitchell Leisen is one of the neglected and underrated directors of Hollywood's golden age. This movie, however, is not one of his best. The picture and sound quality are rather poor for starters. Although MacMurray and Lombard have been in other Leisen movies, they don't generate many sparks here. MacMurray plays the troubled brilliant trumpeter part as a kind of physically and morally lazy cipher. There's not much about him for us to get excited about and therefore not much to make us believe that Lombard would go for him and rescue him from the skids. I mainly got the DVD because I wanted something by Leisen, but the joke's on me because now (or very soon) two of his best - Midnight and Easy Living - are out on DVD. Get those and No Man of Her Own (if you can find it)to see how adroitly Leisen mixed comedy, drama, romance, and the darker aspects of human nature.

Swing High, Swing Low, 1937 film

The film begins in the Panama Canal Zone, a military area. Shops pass through the locks. One of the girls is working to get to California. They tour Panama City. Harry takes quinine for his fever. At the bar a misunderstanding leads to a fight, and jail. The boat sails, and leaves Maggie behind. We see their living conditions. Running water in the kitchen. Skid Johnson bets his money on a fight and loses. Maggie King gets a job singing and dancing, and talking to customers. Harry gets an idea to compose a new song. Harvey comes to Panama to rescue Maggie. But Maggie and Skid marry. A promoter wants Skid to perform in New York. He agrees, and will send for Maggie.

Skid is a featured trumpeter in NY. But he keeps putting off sending tickets to Maggie. Finally Maggie sails to NY, but Skid isn't there to meet her. [Is he easily led astray?] Maggie will file for divorce. Will Skid try to change her mind? They talk of old times. Harvey Howell shows up and orders Skid out. [Are some musicians emotionally unstable?] Weeks later Harry finds Skid. Can Maggie convince Skid to pick up and return to his career? Or has drink damaged his talents? There will be a happy ending, but the film doesn't tell about their future.

This drama is based on a stage play. It tells about the life of people in the entertainment business. Maybe being an accountant is better in the long run?