UP IN THE AIR (1940) Frankie Darro, Marjorie Reynolds & Mantan Moreland | Comedy, Mystery | B&W

Up in the Air is a 1940 American comedy mystery film directed by Howard Bretherton and starring Frankie Darro, Marjorie Reynolds and Mantan Moreland. It was produced and released by Monogram Pictures. It was remade in 1945 as There Goes Kelly.

SYNOPSIS
In Hollywood, Frankie Ryan, a page boy at a radio station, dreams of becoming a comedian on air with his friend Jeff, the station's porter. Their attempts at humor often backfire, nearly costing them their jobs. Meanwhile, the station struggles financially due to the moody singer Rita Wilson, whom they seek to replace.

During a blackout rehearsal, Rita is shot and killed on air. Detectives Phillips and Delaney suspect cowboy singer Tex Barton, seen trying to leave the scene. Producer Bob Farrell, fearing suspicion, asks Frankie to withhold crucial information from the police.

Frankie discovers the murder weapon hidden in a duct, linking it to Tex, who is later found murdered himself. As suspicions shift to Anne Mason, the receptionist, Frankie investigates further.

Unraveling the mystery, Frankie learns that Anne's real name is Gladys, previously married to Tex. Rita, not Anne, was the true Gladys. In a climactic confrontation, station executives are gathered, leading to a confession and arrest of the culprit, Van Martin, by the police.

CAST & CREW
Frankie Darro as Frankie Ryan
Marjorie Reynolds as Anne Mason
Mantan Moreland as Jeff Jefferson
Gordon Jones as Tex Barton
Lorna Gray as Singer Rita Wilson aka Gladys Wharton
Tristram Coffin as Bob Farrell
Clyde Dilson as Detective Lt. Marty Phillips
Dick Elliott as B. J. Hastings, Station Owner
John Holland as Sam Quigley
Carleton Young as Band Leader Dick Stevens
Alex Callam as Van Martin - Announcer
Maxine Leslie as Stella - Switchboard Operator
Ralph Peters as Detective Delaney
Jack Mather as Tim Wallace - Comic
Dennis Moore as Gag Writer Pringle
Phil Kramer as Gag Writer

Director: Howard Bretherton
Writer: Edmond Kelso (original story and screenplay)
Producer: Lindsley Parsons
Cinematography: Fred Jackman Jr.
Editing: Jack Ogilvie
Music: Edward J. Kay
Production Company: Monogram Pictures
Distribution: Monogram Pictures
Release Date: September 9, 1940
Running Time: 62 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English