TheLittleSongbird Being someone who has always enjoyed Bing Crosby's singing, and who has seen him capable of giving good acting performances, and who has enjoyed a good deal of Blake Edwards' work, interest in 'High Time' was high.While not a great film, and not one of Edwards' best by a long shot (nor is it one of his worst), 'High Time' does have a sense of fun factor and good-natured charm and it is very difficult to be too hard on it. As an Edwards film 'High Time' may disappoint (more onto that later), but for Bing Crosby fans this fits the bill very nicely.The episodic story does feel disjointed in places (with all the different antics devised just to keep Crosby busy and to give conflict) and for 100 or so minutes it also feels too lightweight and like there isn't enough to sustain it. The script does have some nice moments, but also its dull and too silly moments.Plus for Edwards, compared to the energetic slapstick and verbal humour one often sees 'High Time' is tame stuff (though due to still having some distinct traits, like the visual style, the opening sequence and Henry Mancini for composer it's at least, compared to earlier efforts like 'Bring Your Smile Along', recognisable as an Edwards film).However, 'High Time' is a very nice-looking film, attractive use of colour, skilfully filmed and with elegant set and costume design. Henry Mancini's music score is suitably bubbly, and the songs are a high point, especially Sammy Cahn and Jimmy van Hueson's Oscar-nominated "The Second Time Around".As was said earlier in the review, it is hard to dislike the film even with its imperfections, but it has such an appealing good-nature and charm and there are some amusing moments, Crosby's drag act at the ball being a highlight.Despite being somewhat long in the tooth Crosby ladles on the charm and copes capably in the comedic stakes. His supporting cast don't hinder him in any way and suitably youthful.In summary, charming and enjoyable but could have been better. 7/10 Bethany Cox

bkoganbing This is one of the best Bing Crosby's later films. He only gets to sing two songs in it, The Second Time Around and It Came Upon A Midnight Clear during a Christmas hayride with some of the rest of his younger cast members.Bing is 53 year old Harvey Howard, self made millionaire restaurant franchise owner, who's decided to go back and do a lot of the things he missed when he was younger which included a college education. That in itself is an intriguing character for me. I've met a lot of self made types in my life who think because they are successful and make a lot of money in one field, they're omni-competent. Just the fact that Harvey Howard IS going back to college to improve himself intellectually and broaden his horizons is a plus for me with this character.I read an interview with Fabian once who said that Bing was great to work with and put him right at ease. Fabian had just done one feature film called Hound Dog Man and it was less than a success. After High Time he went on to a pretty good career in films during the sixties.The Second Time Around was the last of 15 songs that Bing introduced in films that was nominated for an Academy Award, a record not likely to be broken. It lost to Never On Sunday. It was a million selling song, but ironically not by Bing. Frank Sinatra took the song and he made it a big hit, probably the only time in Bing's career this ever happened.The kids are just fine, Fabian, Tuesday Weld, Richard Beymer (a year away from West Side Story)Patrick Adiarte. Gavin MacLeod has some very funny moments as Bing's comic nemesis and absent minded chemistry professor and Nicole Maurey strikes the right note as the French teacher that widower Crosby falls for.A really great feel good movie.

m_finebesser Bing Crosby plays a millionaire in his sunset days who decides to get his college degree. It is very reminiscent of the 1982 Dangerfield vehicle, Back To School, only this one has entertaining songs in addition to light screwball comedy. This is a very good movie to relax to when you're in a mode to laugh, smile, and avoid anything challenging.

buono-2 I first saw this film in 1962 and really enjoyed not only the plot, but the music by the great Henry Mancini. The theme song, "The Second Time Around" especially added to the overall effect of the picture. The movie harkens back to a time of youthful bliss that I think a lot of us would like to once more capture. This "look back" was done with great sensitivity and imagination, and is truly a delightful motion picture. I was most fortunate to see it again in 1995, on the AMC channel, 33 years after I first saw it.