Giving someone the high hat

Not long ago, friends and I watched a video movie set in the 1920s or '30s. One of the characters repeatedly, at different points in the story, used the phrase "now you're giving me the high hat." Not being familiar with the expression, I took from it that the guy felt snubbed. Anyone have some light on this? Thanks. - Patty

high-hat

VERB: Informal. To treat in a superciliously indulgent manner: condescend, patronize. Idioms: speak (or talk) down to. See ATTITUDE, OVER, RESPECT, RISE.
ADJECTIVE: Informal. Characteristic of or resembling a snob: elitist, snobbish, snobby. Informal : snooty, stuck-up, uppish, uppity.

And I am guessing that "high-hat" refers to the top hat worn mostly by the rich.