Riding High (1950)

RIDING HIGH tells the story of a horse trainer who is down and out and looks to his horse to win the big race and get him back on his feet.

Horse Sense

Bing Crosby is quite good in this movie, neither a straight-up crooner nor half a comedy act.
He plays a rather ordinary fellow who gets mixed up with an extraordinarily stuffy family by falling in love w/ one of the (temporarily) available daughters.
Horse sense prevents one huge mistake, but Bing almost misses out on the "Princess" who'd like to be his queen (Coleen Gray).
More than one totally silly musical scene, including "Bake a Sunshine Cake," and "The Horse Told Me."
Attempts at stabbing in the back (after all, there's a big horse race at stake) and a little good-natured conniving add depth to the story. The underdog (in this case a horse and his owner) come out on top, the girl gets her man, and even Bing's future father-in-law shows a glimmer of horse sense in the end (Joseph Cotton is perfect for the role!). October 25, 2008

..."THEY ARE OFF AND RUNNING AT DEL MAR".....

...This is a fun film about, "King Turf" and all the varied characters on the backside of any and all racetracks...it's a satire about thourough/bred racing big/small...it is done up very well and professionally...it was filmed at the track of the 'stars'...the original Del Mar Racetrack on the ocean there...it was financially-vested by Bing Crosby-Bob Hope-Betty Grable-Harry James-Pat O'Brien-Jimmy Durante to name only a few...look what Del Mar has become over the decades...a Grade-1 racing venue from then a wooden track to today's monolith of a great horse racing facility for all those who frequent this temple of fun/enjoyment; [including the packed infield]...when you enter Del Mar today you will hear Bing Crosby singing to you his welcome to Del Mar song...with that backdrop all you naysayers need more intel before tearing this movie too bits...Crosby is a natural in this habitat, so what if the vivacious Collen Gray lights up the screen kissing-up to Crosby...olde 'Colonel' Raymond Washburn is a cagy phony wandering around for tips, etc for the hot best/bet horse of the day...but Bing is the show here...nice and easy with a more than willing cast; horses included...sit back and enjoy this wonderful movie [DVD]...it doesn't cost so much to try and have a nice day, does it??....SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC FMF May 13, 2007

GREAT MOVIE!!!!

I just recently got this movie and have watched it twice. I absolutely love it! Don't listen to those who gave this movie 1 star..... it's definetly a 5 star! Bing's performance is just awesome! He was always such a truthful actor, and in this movie you can really see his own personality come into the character. And I thought Coleen Gray's performance was very good also. I think that she portrayed her character perfectly. I really enjoyed the music also. And "Sunshine Cake" was not "sentimentality at its most obnoxious" as one reviewer said.......the characters were just being goofy and having fun, and I really enjoyed it (people shouldn't take things so seriously). This movie has become one of my favorites, and I highly recommend it. It's a light, fun, and humorous movie with some really charming scenes and songs. January 20, 2003

"A STINKER!"

I am quoting Humphrey Bogart in the above title of this review. He was referring to a film his own production company, Santana Productions, made called "Sirocco." .

I tend not to review movies I don't like because I have no enthusiasm for them. In fact, this is the first time I have done so. Everything about this movie is inane: the performances (especially Coleen Gray's, whose idea of acting is to grin as widely as possible and sparkle her eyes. One wishes she had never gone into the business.), the silly dialogue, the phony script, etc., etc.

It only has two things going for it: A beautiful horse which is a delight to watch, though frustrating as the characters treat him so shabbily, and his mascot and pal, a darling rooster, Obviously trained to be performers, they easily outshine all their human co-actors.

Oh, and the music. Insipid, especially a song called "The Sunshine Cake." Sentimentality at its most obnoxious. Bing finally does sing "Camptown Races," but by this time you don't care.

There are better horse movies. There are much better Crosby movies. Can't think of one good reason to view this one unless you want to waste your time! August 2, 2002

Capra near his worst

This film marks the beginning of the end for Frank Capra. His creativity appears to have deserted him -- he makes extensive use of footage from his own, far superior Broadway Bill. It is understandable that he would use footage from the earlier film's climactic, thrilling horse race. But he also intercuts entire scenes from the earlier film, then brings back the actors and apparently expects us not to notice that they're 14 years older! The only point of interest is one of the last appearances of Oliver Hardy. Otherwise, you'd be best advised to catch Broadway Bill instead. July 25, 2002

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