AllMovie

Riding High is a so-so semi-musical film that provides a modicum of entertainment, much of it coming from leading man Bing Crosby. Crosby is in fine form here, handed a character that he knows from the bottom up: a laidback guy who may come from wealth but isn't pretentious and who wants what he wants rather than what others want for him. The singer-actor could play this kind of role in his sleep, and sometimes it seems that he did; but here, he's tuned in on the right frequency, and his easygoing manner and comfortable way with a few tunes make High decent entertainment. His laidback manner also contrasts effectively with the zippy, rapidfire pacing that dominates a great deal of the film; indeed, sometimes things move a bit too fast. On occasion, the viewer would like the film to settle back for a while and to offer a few details; instead, we're given situations or characters which, because they aren't explored, come across as clichéd. Certainly the story is one that is overly familiar and that offers little in the way of surprises. High also features "Sunshine Cake," an abysmal Van Heusen-Cahn song that is exceptionally cloying and irritating; even Crosby can't make it a winner. Coleen Gray is only fair opposite Crosby, but the supporting cast is aces.