Hitting a New High (1937) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A press agent and an opera singer orchestrate a wild safari charade that spirals into a web of blackmail and musical redemption.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

The Parisian Scheme

Corny Davis scouts Suzette in Paris and devises a wild safari charade to rebuild his boss's reputation. They travel to the Congo to stage a fake discovery, setting the foundation for a lucrative but deceptive performance career.

Key Events

• Parisian Talent Scouting — Corny seeks new talent for his boss and meets Suzette. Characters: Corny Davis, Suzette Location: Paris Office
• Safari Persona Planning — They devise a fake bird-woman persona for Suzette. Characters: Corny Davis, Suzette Location: Paris Office
• Congo Wild Debut — Suzette performs as the wild bird girl in the jungle. Characters: Suzette Location: French Congo
• Radio Broadcast Debut — Suzette debuts on radio while Corny wears safari gear. Characters: Suzette Location: New York Studio
• Jimmy's Voice Recognition — Jimmy recognizes Suzette's voice from the broadcast. Characters: Jimmy James Location: New York Studio

The African Charade

Suzette debuts as a bird girl on radio while Jimmy James recognizes her voice and confronts her backstage. A tripartite agreement is formed to share profits and maintain the illusion, introducing Cedric Cosmo as an eavesdropping bandmate.

Key Events

• Jimmy's Voice Recognition — Jimmy recognizes Suzette's voice from the broadcast. Characters: Jimmy James Location: New York Studio
• Wall Scaling Confrontation — Jimmy climbs the wall to find Suzette playing piano. Characters: Jimmy James, Suzette Location: Blynn's Office Building
• Tripartite Profit Deal — They agree to share profits and hide the scam from Blynn. Characters: Corny Davis, Jimmy James, Suzette Location: Backstage
• Backstage Eavesdropping — Cedric overhears the entire conspiracy discussion. Characters: Cedric Cosmo Location: Cabaret Backstage
• Captain Braceridge Arrival — Cedric poses as an African explorer to gain access. Characters: Cedric Cosmo Location: Blynn's Office
• Fake Fatherhood Claim — Cedric claims to be the bird girl's long lost father. Characters: Cedric Cosmo, Suzette Location: Blynn's Office

The Blackmail Web

Cedric Cosmo exploits his knowledge by posing as an explorer and claiming fatherhood to extort Corny. A rival also discovers the truth, expanding the blackmail network and increasing pressure on the conspirators.

Key Events

• Fake Fatherhood Claim — Cedric claims to be the bird girl's long lost father. Characters: Cedric Cosmo, Suzette Location: Blynn's Office
• Blackmail Demand — Cedric threatens Corny for hush money after initial rejection. Characters: Cedric Cosmo, Corny Davis Location: Backstage
• Rival's Stage Recognition — A rival recognizes Suzette during her performance. Characters: Suzette Location: Cabaret Stage
• Rival Extortion Alliance — The rival confronts Corny and joins the blackmail scheme. Characters: Corny Davis Location: Backstage
• Nightclub Performance — The band performs while Blynn watches from the crowd. Characters: Suzette, Jimmy James, Cedric Cosmo Location: Nightclub
• Suspicious Observation — Blynn notices the clarinet player and singer performing together. Characters: Suzette, Cedric Cosmo Location: Nightclub

The Grand Exposure

Blynn witnesses the entire group performing together and demands answers. The scheme is fully exposed, triggering Blynn's fury, but the tension dissolves into a spontaneous musical finale that unites the cast and audience.

Key Events

• Suspicious Observation — Blynn notices the clarinet player and singer performing together. Characters: Suzette, Cedric Cosmo Location: Nightclub
• Truth Unveiled — The entire charade is explained to Blynn by the conspirators. Characters: Suzette, Corny Davis, Jimmy James, Cedric Cosmo Location: Nightclub
• Blynn's Fury — Blynn erupts in anger and storms away from the venue. Characters: Suzette, Corny Davis Location: Nightclub
• Musical Outburst — The band and Corny start singing drunkenly together. Characters: Suzette, Corny Davis, Jimmy James, Cedric Cosmo Location: Nightclub
• Audience Joining — The entire crowd joins the impromptu musical number. Characters: Suzette, Corny Davis Location: Nightclub
• Final Curtain — The farce concludes with universal harmony and success. Characters: Suzette, Corny Davis Location: Nightclub

Story Breakdown

• The Parisian Setup — Corny scouts Suzette and plans the fake safari persona to save his boss's reputation.
  • Talent Scouting — Corny meets Suzette in Paris and proposes a new career path.
  • Safari Persona Plan — They devise the bird-woman concept to stage a wild discovery.
• The Congo Charade — Suzette performs as a wild bird girl, launching a deceptive radio career.
  • Wild Debut — Suzette acts as Oogahunga in the Congo jungle setting.
  • Radio Broadcast — Suzette debuts on air while Corny maintains the safari illusion.
• The Ex-Boyfriend Returns — Jimmy recognizes Suzette and confronts her, forcing a new business arrangement.
  • Voice Recognition — Jimmy hears Suzette sing and realizes she is alive and performing.
  • Wall Scaling Confrontation — Jimmy climbs to find Suzette, leading to a backstage negotiation.
• The Blackmail Web — Cedric discovers the scam and exploits it by posing as an explorer and father.
  • Backstage Eavesdropping — Cedric overhears the conspiracy and decides to leverage the information.
  • Captain Braceridge Arrival — Cedric adopts a fake explorer identity to infiltrate Blynn's circle.
• The Rival's Intervention — A rival discovers Suzette's true identity and joins the extortion network.
  • Stage Recognition — The rival spots Suzette performing and identifies the fraud.
  • Extortion Alliance — The rival confronts Corny and demands a share of the blackmail money.
• The Grand Exposure — Blynn witnesses the group together, forcing the truth into the open.
  • Truth Revealed — The conspirators explain the entire scheme to a furious Blynn.
  • Musical Finale — Anger dissolves into a spontaneous song that unites everyone.

Directed by

Raoul Walsh

Key Cast

• Lily Pons — Suzette
• Jack Oakie — Corny Davis
• Edward Everett Horton — Lucius B. Blynn
• John Howard — Jimmy James
• Eric Blore — Cedric Cosmo