The High Life
"The High Life" lasted about 4 episodes. It was a look at the 1950's, but using the values and judgment of the of the '90's. Oh, that is not to say that it was politically correct, for all sorts of subjects and settings are used in a most politically incorrect manner.The episodes are often set in part in their local gin mill, and the main characters who are a sort of middle class Kramden & Norton, are always conniving to launch some get rich scheme or other.They do so while consuming their share of hard liquor and while SMOKING cigarettes! The episodes are shot in glorious black & white, which only serves to enhance the episodes. B&W was, after all, the medium of '50's TV and is little used and under-appreciated today. (One has only to look at two theatrical releases, PAPER MOON (1973) and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (1974) to see how good the look of these productions is. Black & White has a certain beauty of its own that lasts. Some color processes just do not.The series also made use of a sort of stock company of actors who wold take various roles in succeeding episodes. Perhaps this was a sort of tribute to Mssrs. Gleason & Carney & Company.
