The airplane in which Stream takes Lilly to upstate NY is a 1931 Bellanca CH400 "Skyrocket," registration NC12635. It was owned by Wallace Beery. Only 32 planes of this variant were made. Subsequently sold to a mining concern in Saudi Arabia, it was destroyed in 1937.
In John Divola's book 'Continuity' (Smart Art Press & Ram Publications, 1997), he lists photograph #1 in the 'Evidence of Aggression' section as 'Unidentified.' It is a still from this film; it depicts the table in Lilly's room that Lou falls onto and breaks when Alex Stream pushes him.
Upperworld (1934) is one of the last films released before the strict enforcement of the Hollywood Production Code by Joseph Breen, which began on July 1, 1934.
Originally set to be produced by RKO in 1930.
After three years and more than a dozen films, Ginger Rogers was finally on the cusp of stardom, thanks to her first pairing with Fred Astaire in Flying Down to Rio (1933). The film was a huge hit, and RKO had big plans for re-teaming them. But Astaire had a previous commitment to star in The Gay Divorce on Broadway and in London. Rogers continued to plug away, appearing in six films, three at RKO and three on loan-out, while waiting for Astaire to return, of which Upperworld (1934) was one.
When Astaire returned to Hollywood, he and Rogers were billed above the title for the first time in the film version of The Gay Divorce, re-titled The Gay Divorcee (1934) in deference to the new Production Code. That film was a smash, and Rogers capped a busy and successful year.
When Astaire returned to Hollywood, he and Rogers were billed above the title for the first time in the film version of The Gay Divorce, re-titled The Gay Divorcee (1934) in deference to the new Production Code. That film was a smash, and Rogers capped a busy and successful year.