High Flyers Plot Summary
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for High Flyers (1937). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
Jeremiah “Jerry” Lane Jack Carson and Pierre Potkin Robert Woolsey are a pair of midway carnival pilots who have never actually taken to the air, fluttering through a life of goofy thrills and upright nerves. When a shady smuggler named Dave Hanlon Jack Carson hires them to fly a real seaplane— unaware that the craft is tied to stolen police work— they set out to retrieve a lifesaver tossed from a crowded ocean liner and deliver it right into his waiting hands. Believing the hollow metal canister hides news photographs, they are blindsided when the lid pops open to reveal cocaine and a box of stolen jewels, a discovery that pulls them into a perilously comic chain of events.
Their misadventure crash-lands on the sprawling Arlington estate, owned by Horace Arlington Paul Harvey and Martha Arlington Margaret Dumont. The Arlingtons greet the newcomers with mistaken good will, assuming they are police officers and extending hospitality before the truth can surface. On the manic grounds of the mansion, a pair of lively musical numbers erupts, and the two strangers indulge in flirtations with the Arlington family’s daughter and staff. The charming Arlene Arlington Marjorie Lord becomes the target of their playful attention, while Juanita the maid Lupe Vélez shares in the performances that pepper the day with color and rhythm. The family— and the visitors— drift into a haze of witty songs and light-hearted deception, all under the uneasy umbrella of a criminal plot.
Behind the scenes, Hanlon’s plan moves forward as he and his cronies infiltrate the mansion posing as doctors, intent on “removing” Jerry and Pierre and reclaiming the loot. The would-be bad guys are frustrated at every turn as the Arlington dog, in a cheeky twist, has hidden the very jewels that are supposed to prove their guilt. A frantic, ever-shifting search erupts through the estate, drawing in numerous cops and adding to the chaos with a steady rhythm of chatter, clatter, and mistaken identities.
In the end, the criminals are captured, yet the resolution isn’t as straightforward as a straightforward arrest. Horace examines the bundle of jewels and discovers they are paste, a disappointing reveal that could have ended the trouble there. However, the final twist comes in the form of a note from the ship’s passenger, explaining that he had swapped the fake stones for the real ones and ensured the authentic jewels were sent to Arlington’s office, turning what seemed like a clean takedown into a clever misdirection that leaves everyone pondering how the caper finally unwound.
High Flyers Timeline
Follow the complete movie timeline of High Flyers (1937) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Recruitment and mission
Jerry Lane and Pierre Potkin are midway carnival ride pilots who have never flown a real aircraft. They quit their carnival gig when smuggler Dave Hanlon hires them to fly a real seaplane and retrieve a lifesaver thrown from an ocean liner. They expect the cargo to contain news photos, but the mission drags them into a dangerous smuggling operation.
Flight and discovery
The pair take off in the seaplane and head toward the ocean liner to recover the lifesaver. When they open the floating aid, cocaine blows into their faces and a box of stolen jewels spills out. Realizing the cargo is not what they were led to expect, they find themselves drawn into the intoxication and confusion of the haul.
Crash-landing at the Arlington estate
The seaplane crash-lands on the grounds of Horace and Martha Arlington's estate. Jerry and Pierre survive the wreck but are stranded at the mansion, unsure of who they can trust. The unexpected arrival of two strangers unsettles the household.
Initial hospitality and mistaken identity
The Arlingtons mistake the pair for police officers and offer hospitality while they assess the situation. The duo is allowed to stay in the mansion, and a tense, comic air settles over the estate. Yet the danger from Hanlon lurks just below the surface.
Musical interludes and flirting
In a string of musical numbers, Jerry and Pierre charm Arlene, the Arlingtons' daughter, and their maid Juanita. The lively performances contrast with the looming threat of the criminals’ plan. The flirtation escalates the chaos and masks the men’s true intentions.
Hanlon's interference
Hanlon manipulates the Arlingtons, convincing them that Jerry and Pierre are lunatics from an asylum. He uses the ruse to turn the family against the duo and to position himself to seize the supposed smuggled cargo. The tension inside the mansion grows as the plan tightens.
Doctors and henchmen arrive
To remove the 'lunatics', Hanlon's cronies disguised as doctors arrive at the mansion. They reveal a murderous intent and attempt to abduct Jerry and Pierre to claim the jewels. The guests and staff evaporate into a frenzied scramble.
The jewel caper revealed—dog hides the loot
A frantic search around the manor reveals that dozens of items have gone missing because the Arlingtons’ kleptomaniac dog has hidden the jewels. The caper spirals into a chaotic hunt that brings in many cops and criminals alike. The true stash remains elusive as the mansion fills with suspicion.
Criminals captured
The criminals are finally captured after a chaotic chase and a web of mistaken identities. Horace and the others help coordinate the arrest while the police keep order. Jerry and Pierre narrowly avoid being swept up in the fray.
Paste jewels and note; the switch explained
Horace examines the recovered jewels and confirms they are paste. A note tucked inside the box reveals that the man carrying them had switched the jewels at the last moment to thwart a crime, and the real jewels were sent to Arlington's office. The revelation clears up the mystery surrounding the loot.
Resolution and safety restored
With the misdirection exposed, the mansion returns to relative calm. Jerry and Pierre are cleared of suspicions, and Hanlon’s operation lies in ruin as the real culprits are brought to justice. The Arlingtons’ home remains intact, though forever touched by the strange events.
Aftermath and next steps
The duo leaves the estate with a new sense of caution about smuggling schemes and the thrills of quick luck. Their credit as improvised pilots remains intact, and their unlikely romance with adventure persists. The adventure closes with them ready for the next misadventure.
High Flyers Characters
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Jerry Lane (Bert Wheeler)
A buoyant midway pilot who dreams of flying for real. He relies on charm and improvisation to navigate the escalating smuggling plot, but his naivety makes him an easy pawn for Hanlon. He flirts with Arlene Arlington and Juanita, injecting lighthearted energy into the mansion and misadventures.
Pierre Potkin (Robert Woolsey)
Jerry's quick-witted partner, equally at home with carnival patter and comic risk. He proves sharper than Jerry, yet retains a roguish charm that helps them survive the scheme. His banter and antics drive the musical interludes and chaotic pursuit around the Arlington estate.
Dave Hanlon (Jack Carson)
A smooth-talking smuggler who hires the pilots to steal a lifesaver and its contents. He manipulates both criminals and police to protect his operation and orchestrates the plan from behind the scenes. His scheming fuels the chaos and the mansion’s unraveling.
Horace Arlington (Paul Harvey)
A wealthy, genial patriarch who hosts the Arlington estate. He welcomes the newcomers and shows hospitality, becoming entangled in the deception. His trust in guests and loyalty to his daughter set the stage for the unraveling of the plan.
Arlene Arlington (Marjorie Lord)
The Arlington daughter who becomes the object of the pilots’ flirtation. She is worldly and enjoys the chaos, yet proves resourceful enough to participate in the plan to outwit the criminals. Her social position makes her a center of comic romance.
Juanita - the Maid (Lupe Vélez)
The Arlington's maid who moves between the household and the scheming plot, adding practicality and humor. She interacts with Jerry and Pierre, offering support and a grounded perspective amidst the caper.
High Flyers Settings
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Location
Arlington Estate, Carnival Midway, Seaplane Base, Ocean Liner
The Arlington Estate is the opulent mansion that sits at the heart of the story, hosting the Arlingtons and providing a backdrop for deception and revelry. The Carnival Midway is where Jerry and Pierre perform as pretend pilots and mingle with show business energy. The Seaplane Base and Ocean Liner scenes connect the smugglers’ scheme to a transatlantic crime plot, culminating in a crash landing on the estate.
High Flyers Themes
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Deception
Misleading appearances drive the plot: criminals pose as doctors, a lifesaver hides illegal cargo, and the protagonists are mistaken for lawmen. The mansion and carnival settings amplify the tensions as disguises blur the lines between ally and adversary. The humor arises from how far the deception goes before the truth is uncovered.
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Performance
Musical numbers punctuate the action, turning flirtation and scheming into staged entertainment. The pilots’ bravado and the Arlingtons’ hospitality create a lively contrast between high society and carnival life. These performances propel the narrative and deepen romantic entanglements.
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Investigation
Cops and criminals collide as the jewels vanish and the duo are pursued around the mansion. Disguises, mistaken identities, and frantic searches heighten the comedy while advancing the chase. The resolution hinges on piecing together a counterfeit truth behind the clues.
High Flyers Spoiler-Free Summary
Discover the spoiler-free summary of High Flyers (1937). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.
In a breezy, half‑dreamlike era where carnival thrills mingle with the promise of high‑altitude adventure, two unlikely pilots take to the skies for the first time. Jeremiah “Jerry” Lane and Pierre Potkin have spent their lives performing daring stunts over midway midway, never truly leaving the ground. When a reporter hires them to fetch a bundle of supposed photographs, the duo sees a chance to trade their ordinary routine for a taste of real aviation—and perhaps a bit of fame.
Their modest enthusiasm quickly collides with a surprising twist: the sealed container they are to deliver hides something far more glittering than a roll of pictures. The promise of a routine courier job spirals into a light‑hearted scramble when the contents turn out to be stolen diamonds, thrusting the pair into a world far beyond the carnival’s cotton‑candy haze. Their chemistry—Jerry’s quick‑witted optimism against Pierre’s off‑beat bravado—creates a comedic rhythm that carries the audience through every unexpected turn.
Landing far from the circus grounds, the pilots find themselves on the sprawling Arlington estate, a stately manor perched amid manicured lawns and elaborate gardens. Horace Arlington and his wife Martha Arlington greet the strangers with gracious hospitality, mistaking them for respectable guests. Their charismatic daughter Arlene Arlington and the lively housemaid Juanita add a splash of music, flirtation, and spirited camaraderie, turning the manor into a stage where jokes, songs, and innocent mischief abound. Even the family’s mischievous dog seems to play a role in the unfolding comedy, adding another layer of playful chaos.
As word spreads through the estate, a colorful mix of curious officials, persistent lawmen, and opportunistic onlookers converge, each drawn by the whisper of hidden treasure. The scene is set for a rollicking chase across the grounds, where misunderstandings and slap‑stick encounters provide constant entertainment. With the atmosphere humming of jazz, wit, and anticipation, the story promises a delightful blend of adventure and comedy, inviting viewers to wonder just how far the two carnival aviators will soar before reality catches up with their soaring imaginations.
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