Up in the Air
“Frankie 'scoops' the police and traps the killer!”
Synopsis
A none-too-popular (nor good) radio singer, Rita Wilson is murdered while singing on the air in a radio studio. Radio page boy, Frankie Ryan, and his janitor pal, Jeff, solve the mystery for the none-too-sharp police.
Top Cast
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Frankie Darro
Frankie Ryan
Marjorie Reynolds
Anne Mason
Mantan Moreland
Jeff Jefferson
Gordon Jones
Tex Barton
Lorna Gray
Singer Rita Wilson aka Gladys Wharton
Tristram Coffin
Bob Farrell
Clyde Dilson
Detective Lt. Marty Phillips
Dick Elliott
B. J. Hastings, Station Owner
John Holland
Sam Quigley
Carleton Young
Band Leader Dick Stevens
Alex Callam
Van Martin - Announcer
Maxine Leslie
Stella - Switchboard Operator
Ralph Peters
Detective Delaney
Jack Mather
Tim Wallace - Comic
Dennis Moore
Gag-Writer Pringle
Phil Kramer
Gag-Writer
George Morrell
Rita Wilson Fan (uncredited)
Bob Terry
Sound Engineer (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
September 9, 1940
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Howard Bretherton
- Screenplay & Story
- Edmond Kelso
- Original Title
- Up in the Air
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 2m
- Production Studios
- Monogram Pictures, Lindsley Parsons Picture Corporation
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Howard Bretherton
Edmond Kelso
Fred Jackman Jr.
Jack Ogilvie
Lindsley Parsons
Department Leadership Roster
Edmond Kelso
Screenplay
Howard Bretherton
Director
Lindsley Parsons
Producer
Fred Jackman Jr.
Director of Photography
Jack Ogilvie
Editor
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
NR: Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Up in the Air.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Up in the Air.
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MGM+ US - Mystery Movies
Curated list of Most Popular on MGM+ (US). Updated frequently. Last updated August 28, 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Up in the Air
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Up in the Air about?
A none-too-popular (nor good) radio singer, Rita Wilson is murdered while singing on the air in a radio studio. Radio page boy, Frankie Ryan, and his janitor pal, Jeff, solve the mystery for the none-too-sharp police.
Who directed Up in the Air?
Up in the Air was directed by Howard Bretherton.
Who stars in Up in the Air?
The principal cast of Up in the Air includes Frankie Darro, Marjorie Reynolds, Mantan Moreland, Gordon Jones, Lorna Gray.
When was Up in the Air released and how long is it?
Up in the Air was released in 1940 with a total runtime of 1h 2m.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Up in the Air?
Up in the Air holds official age classifications: US: NR (Not Rated — Evaluated outside standard classification boards.).