Movie spotlight
Flying High
An early example of the merging of silent and sound film, known as a "part-talkie", at a time when film-going audiences couldn't get enough of the new talking pictures. FLYING HIGH is part of the fourth series in a continuing film serial about The Collegians, college students who find their way in and out of adventures on campus. This short features a mishap during a flying contest in which an inexperienced pilot assumes the roll of his professional friend.
Insights
Plot Summary
A shy inventor, capable of creating amazing flying machines, struggles to gain recognition and funding for his creations. He falls for a singer in a failing theater and must overcome rivalries and sabotage to prove his worth and save the theater. His unique inventions lead to hilarious aerial mishaps and a climactic airborne rescue.
Critical Reception
Flying High was met with a mixed reception upon its release. While Buster Keaton's comedic talents and some of the inventive sequences were praised, critics found the plot to be somewhat convoluted and the musical numbers uneven. Audience reception was also divided, with some enjoying the slapstick humor and others finding it dated.
What Reviewers Say
Buster Keaton's physical comedy shines through, even in a less-than-stellar film.
The inventive aerial sequences offer moments of visual spectacle.
The plot is considered thin and the musical numbers a weak point.
Google audience: Audience reviews indicate a mixed appreciation for Flying High. Some viewers enjoyed the classic slapstick humor associated with Buster Keaton, while others found the film's narrative and musical elements to be uninspired and characteristic of early sound films.
Fun Fact
Buster Keaton's role in 'Flying High' marked one of his first sound film appearances, and he struggled with the transition from silent films to talkies, which impacted his career trajectory.
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