Up in the Air

On location in Hollywood, "Amalgamated Broadcasting Company" (ABC Radio) page Frankie Darro (as Frankie Ryan) is attracted to the station's attractive new receptionist, aspiring songstress Marjorie Reynolds (as Anne Mason). Ms. Reynolds sings "By the Looks of Things" very sweetly. With help from cowardly janitor pal Mantan Moreland (as Jeff Jefferson), Mr. Darro decides to help Reynolds become a radio singing star. Then, the station's snotty songstress Lorna Gray (as Rita Wilson) is murdered...

First suspected is cowboy singer Gordon Jones (as Tex Barton), who was then notable as the star of "The Green Hornet" serial. Just when you think you've heard them all, "Tex" calls Mr. Moreland "banjo eyes" (an apt description). Also, watch for Darro to appear in "black-face" for a routine with Moreland (which must have looked swell on the radio). The bit is handled inoffensively, by the way. Howard Bretherton and the troupe manage the vehicle fairly, with Darro and Moreland contributing their usual.

**** Up in the Air (9/9/40) Howard Bretherton ~ Frankie Darro, Mantan Moreland, Marjorie Reynolds, Gordon Jones

Here is yet another example of the Monogram product. Frankie Darro, Mantan Moreland and Marjorie Reynolds are top-starred in this modest yet enjoyable programmer centered around the murder of an obnoxious radio singer. The songs are pleasant enough and the mystery diverting. Modern viewers may cringe at a routine which puts Darro in blackface opposite Moreland in a sketch Moreland performed with another actor in the past. It is funny though, and the whole production runs 61 minutes and passes the time pleasantly enough. This came on one of those Mill Creek compilation sets and the quality is pretty good for a public-domain picture.

Rate, review, like + more...

Richard Cross's review published on Letterboxd:

"Is I where I think I is or am I where I hope I ain't?" asks Manton Moreland of the bulging eyes and comical double-takes. He plays wing man to an ok Frankie Darro in this dull murder thriller, and, like us, he's sadly where he hoped he ain't.

Plot- a radio singer is murdered amid a room full of radio executives. The investigating cops thrash around leaving the real insight to the studio page-boy and his jokester buddy.

Bouncy programmer from low-budget Monogram. Pairing live-wire Darro with sparky negro Moreland was a bold touch. Together they turn a ho-hum whodunit into a fast paced romp with snappy lines and easy-going humor. Moreland does his patented big-eyed shtick and racialized humor that may offend some modern audiences. Still, he's treated more as Darro's pal than as comic relief in a movie that's more like a buddy flick than a mystery. In fact, Moreland's got more of a featured role than his usual down-the-list supporting role. I wouldn't be surprised that Monogram had a more permanent pairing in mind here.

The rest of the cast goes through its paces in professional style, though director Bretherton adds neither atmosphere nor nuance, which may, nevertheless, have been intended to spotlight the two leads. At the same time, the winsome Reynolds captivates with an adorable stage presence I could have stood more of. My only gripe is that I was expecting scenes in a broadcasting studio showing the radio technology of the day. Unfortunately, there are none, only stage performances. Nonetheless, that's along with some revealingly live street scenes from Hollywood Blvd., circa 1940.

All in all, it's quick hour of 40's amusement, with a cross-racial buddy pairing unusual for its time.

A demanding, prima Donna radio singer, Rita Wilson who not many liked is murdered while singing on the air in a radio studio. The gun shot sounds as the lights go off, the singer is found dead - and the killer had to be in the locked studio and the gun isn't found till later in an air vent.

Radio page boy, Frankie Ryan, and his janitor pal, Jeff, solve the mystery for the none-too-sharp police.

Frankie Darro and Manton Moreland make an energetic pair in this breezy fun combination of comedy, mystery and music - the latter is foot tapping and the mystery is standard lock room, or shall I say lock studio, with the comic duo doing some detective work- it's a bit political incorrect with Darro putting on some boot polish and Manton doing his scary eyeball act, but overall an entertaining film.