Swing High, Swing Low (1937): Cast & Plot
Swing High, Swing Low is a 1937 romantic drama directed by Mitchell Leisen, starring Carole Lombard as Maggie King, Fred MacMurray and Charles Butterworth. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 32m (92 min)
- Director
- Mitchell Leisen
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Swing High, Swing Low About?
The premise of Swing High, Swing Low without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In Panama, Maggie King meets soldier Skid Johnson on his last day of service and reluctantly agrees to a celebratory date. After a nightclub brawl causes her to miss her ship home, she stays with Skid and his friend Harry. Maggie falls for Skid, who lands a trumpet gig and quickly becomes a star. His sudden fame and ego damage their romance and eventually ruin his career.
Swing High, Swing Low Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- posing as husband and wife
- remake
- beautician
- marriage engagement
- gambler
- nightclub act
- radio broadcast
- ocean liner
- female singer
- army veteran
- unsent telegram
- trumpet player
+38 more Show fewer
- marriage vows
- title co written by female
- barroom brawl
- missing the boat
- posing as a tourist guide
- club hostess
- unrequited love
- female self sacrifice
- quirky comedy
- self centered man
- domestic drama
- downward spiral
- black eye
- cattle rancher
- romantic reconciliation
- macmurray and lamour
- panama canal zone
- scantily clad woman
- love conquers all
- permanent wave
- hair falling out
- former soldier
- male female roommates
- pretending to be married
- pawn shop
- gambling with borrowed money
- cockfight
- female bare back
- romantic rivals
- husband wife team
- bar fight
- missing ship
- big break
- musical number
- untranslated foreign language
- courtroom
- wedding
- out of town job offer
Swing High, Swing Low Cast & Characters
Carole Lombard leads the cast as Maggie King, with Fred MacMurray as Skid Johnson and Charles Butterworth as Harry. Directed by Mitchell Leisen; 14 actors are credited in all.
- Director Mitchell Leisen
-
Carole Lombard as Maggie King -
Fred MacMurray as Skid Johnson - Charles Butterworth as Harry
- Jean Dixon as Ella
Also Starring in Swing High, Swing Low
· 10 more- Cecil Cunningham Murphy
- Dorothy Lamour Anita Alvarez
- Harvey Stephens Harvey Howell
- Charles Arnt Georgie Herman
- Anthony Quinn The Don
- Lee Bowman El Greco Patron (uncredited)
- Gino Corrado Tony's Italian Friend (uncredited)
- Dennis O'Keefe Purser (uncredited)
- Franklin Pangborn Henri
- Charles Judels Tony Morelli
More from Mitchell Leisen
More films directed by Mitchell Leisen, best-rated first: Remember the Night, Hold Back the Dawn, To Each His Own and Death Takes a Holiday.
Swing High, Swing Low Plot Summary
What happens in Swing High, Swing Low from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Maggie King Carole Lombard is a skilled hairdresser aboard a liner that sails through the Panama Canal Zone. On the ship’s deck, she’s quickly reminded that life at sea can be full of surprises when a brash young soldier, Skid Johnson Fred MacMurray, makes a stubborn impression on her on his last day in the Army. He doesn’t give up easily, and his persistence leads to a lively double date the next day in Balboa, where he is joined by his piano player friend Harry and Maggie’s more reserved companion, Ella. In a bustling nightclub, Maggie confesses a dislike for trumpet music, yet Skid’s astonishing mastery of the instrument captivates her, turning initial annoyance into curiosity.
Full summary
The whole story of Swing High, Swing Low, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Swing High, Swing Low?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actress portrayed Maggie King, the hairdresser on the liner?
Cars in Swing High, Swing Low
3 cars on screen, including the Buick unknown and the 1930 Buick Series 40.
-
Buick unknown Minor role -
1930 Buick Series 40 Background role -
unknown Background role
Swing High, Swing Low Also Known As
Also known as “Comenzó en el trópico”.
- Also known as
-
- Comenzó en el trópico
Seen Swing High, Swing Low?
Movies Like Swing High, Swing Low
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Swing Shift Maisie, Swing Hostess and Swing.
Swing High, Swing Low FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Swing High, Swing Low, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Swing High, Swing Low?
Swing High, Swing Low runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).
When was Swing High, Swing Low released?
Swing High, Swing Low was released on March 12, 1937.
Who directed Swing High, Swing Low?
Swing High, Swing Low was directed by Mitchell Leisen.
More films by Mitchell Leisen Who is in the cast of Swing High, Swing Low?
Swing High, Swing Low stars Carole Lombard as Maggie King, Fred MacMurray as Skid Johnson and Charles Butterworth as Harry, among 14 credited actors.
Does Swing High, Swing Low have a post-credit scene?
No. Swing High, Swing Low has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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