The Sky's the Limit

19431943
ApprovedApproved
1h 29min

Fred Astaire and Joan Leslie in The Sky's the Limit (1943)

Comedy Musical Romance

Flying Tiger Fred Atwell sneaks away from his famous squadron's personal appearance tour and goes incognito for several days of leave. He quickly falls for photographer Joan Manion, pursuing... Read allFlying Tiger Fred Atwell sneaks away from his famous squadron's personal appearance tour and goes incognito for several days of leave. He quickly falls for photographer Joan Manion, pursuing her in the guise of a carefree drifter.Flying Tiger Fred Atwell sneaks away from his famous squadron's personal appearance tour and goes incognito for several days of leave. He quickly falls for photographer Joan Manion, pursuing her in the guise of a carefree drifter.

Director
- Edward H. Griffith
Writers
- Frank Fenton(original screenplay)
- Lynn Root(original screenplay)
- S.K. Lauren(uncredited)
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 2 nominations total

Fred Astaire and Joan Leslie in The Sky's the Limit (1943)

Fred Astaire and Joan Leslie in The Sky's the Limit (1943)

Fred Astaire and Joan Leslie in The Sky's the Limit (1943)

Fred Astaire and Joan Leslie in The Sky's the Limit (1943)

Clarence Muse in The Sky's the Limit (1943)

Joan Leslie in The Sky's the Limit (1943)

Fred Astaire and Joan Leslie in The Sky's the Limit (1943)

Fred Astaire, Robert Benchley, and Victor Potel in The Sky's the Limit (1943)

Fred Astaire in The Sky's the Limit (1943)

Fred Astaire in The Sky's the Limit (1943)

Fred Astaire and Joan Leslie in The Sky's the Limit (1943)

Fred Astaire and Joan Leslie in The Sky's the Limit (1943)

Fred Atwell aka Fred Burtonas Fred Atwell aka Fred Burton

Joan Manionas Joan Manion

Robert Benchley

Phil Harrimanas Phil Harriman

Reginald Fentonas Reginald Fenton

Elizabeth Patterson

Mrs. Fisheras Mrs. Fisher

Marjorie Gateson

Canteen Hostessas Canteen Hostess

Freddie Slack - Leader of His Orchestraas Freddie Slack - Leader of His Orchestra

Freddie Slack and His Orchestra

Freddie Slack's Orchestraas Freddie Slack's Orchestra

Pilotas Pilot
(uncredited)

Robert Andersen

Officeras Officer
(uncredited)

Canteen Waiteras Canteen Waiter
(uncredited)

Officer at Dinneras Officer at Dinner
(uncredited)

Brooks Benedict

Dinner Guestas Dinner Guest
(uncredited)

Joseph E. Bernard

Third Bartenderas Third Bartender
(uncredited)

Jackson - Phil's Butleras Jackson - Phil's Butler
(uncredited)

Cowboyas Cowboy
(uncredited)

Cowboyas Cowboy
(uncredited)

Charwomanas Charwoman
(uncredited)

Director
- Edward H. Griffith
Writers
- Frank Fenton(original screenplay)
- Lynn Root(original screenplay)
- S.K. Lauren(uncredited)
All cast & crew
See more cast details at IMDbPro

Carefree

7.0

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5.8

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6.8

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6.9

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The Gay Divorcee

7.5

The Gay Divorcee

Three Little Words

7.0

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Silk Stockings

6.9

Roberta

7.1

Vivacious Lady

7.2

The Belle of New York

6.2

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The Velvet Touch

6.8

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Blue Skies

6.4

Flying Tiger Fred Atwell sneaks away from his famous squadron's personal appearance tour and goes incognito for several days of leave. He quickly falls for photographer Joan Manion, pursuing her in the guise of a carefree drifter. —Diana Hamilton <hamilton@gl.umbc.edu>

photographer flying tiger reference to ginger rogers magazine assumed identity 2 more

Taglines
- Here's a thrill, new and gay! It's a dance filled holiday!
Genres
Certificate
- Approved
Parents guide
- Add content advisory

Trivia
In one scene Joan Manion (played by Joan Leslie) is asked by Fred Atwell - a.k.a. Fred Burton (played by Fred Astaire) if her boss, Mr. Harriman (played by Robert Benchley), has ever proposed marriage to her: She replies that he has attempted to numerous times, but keeps getting side-tracked by discussions of such things as the "love life of a polyp". It turns out that in one of Robert Benchley's earliest films he played a "Doctor Benchley" in the film The Sex Life of the Polyp (1928) where he lectures Women's Clubs on this interesting creature that can change its sex.

Goofs
In the beginning of the film Fred Astaire is shown piloting a P-40 "Flying Tiger" Warhawk. He is in pursuit of a low winged enemy plane. After he shoots a plane is seen going down with smoke coming out but it is a biplane, not the one he was chasing.

Quotes
Joan Manion: You know, purely in a sociological way, you interest me. A little.
Fred Atwell: Well, it's a beginning, isn't it?
Joan Manion: Don't get me wrong! What interests me is this passion you seem to have for having your picture taken.
Fred Atwell: Let's talk it over.
[to bartender]
Fred Atwell: I'll have the same, please.
Joan Manion: You know, I'm supposed to be taking pictures of celebrities.
Fred Atwell: Couldn't I be the fellow who never gets his name mentioned? The one they call 'a friend'? You know: 'Ginger Rogers - and friend.'

Connections
Featured in Great Performances: The Fred Astaire Songbook (1991)

Soundtracks
My Shining Hour
(uncredited)
Music by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Sung by Joan Leslie (dubbed by Sally Sweetland)
Danced by Fred Astaire, Joan Leslie

Top review

10/10

Woefully under-rated...

This may conceivably be THE most under-rated film of all-time... NO ONE seems to love it as much as I do. Maltin, etc. all consider it one of Fred's worst movies. I don't understand why! He's great, Robert Benchley is on hand (doing one of his best patented befuddled speaker routines), and Joan Leslie is beautiful, sharp, and a great dancer (she really keeps up with Astaire, which is hard to do!) On top of that there are two immortal songs ("My Shining Hour", and "One For My Baby). It's not really a musical though, more of a romantic-comedy. Astaire and Leslie have a wonderful chemistry, especially in their debates over the importance of work in a man's life (Astaire is practically playing a gen-xer here!) Don't listen to the critics, watch this movie, it has biting wit, good music, and will leave you wistfully happy!

helpful•39

3

B&W-2
Apr 6, 1999

Release date
- July 13, 1943 (United States)
Country of origin
- United States
Language
- English
Also known as
- Lookout Below
Filming locations
- RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
Production company
- RKO Radio Pictures
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Runtime
- 1h 29min
Color
- Black and White
Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1

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