The Sky's the Limit

Released 2nd September 1943, The Sky’s the Limit follows WW2 Flying Tiger Fred Atwell as he tries to woo Joan Manion before his redeployment. This film opts to confront the ideas of escapism and even some level of patriarchal challenging in its mid-war setting; utilising ideals of the time in spectacular fashion. A key aspect of the film is also the presence of WW2 in New York’s 1940s society; both through several charity balls and most of the characters who range from fully supportive to resentful in their opinions.

Fred Astaire is exceptional as Fred Atwell; he has a beautiful childlike charm about him which makes every encounter pleasant and enjoyable; this includes the now dated exchanges with Joan Leslie’s Joan Manion. Leslie manages to assert herself with foremost engagement with her peers, who are solely males, and confront her worth in a way that feels natural to the narrative and not just political messaging. Whilst good, everyone else are rather one dimensional; Robert Benchley is awkward enough as Fred’s romantic rival with Robert Ryan’s Reginald antagonising Fred’s actions in a strong enough way to diminish Fred’s confidence.

The sets are all immaculate in their design to establish New York as a very lively, dreamy area which simulates the desire for the audience, shared by Fred, to stay there. Most of the musical numbers were also engaging with varying levels of energy; whereas Fred and Joan were able to share great intimacy through ‘My Shining Hour’, the energy could then kick itself into high gear through ‘One For My Baby’. Overall, The Sky’s the Limit is an enjoyable experience with fascinating themes tackled for its time.