Heaven Can Wait (1943)

Director:

Ernst Lubitsch

Writers:

Samson Raphaelson (screenplay)
Leslie Bush-Fekete (play)

Release Date:

11 August 1943 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

Tagline:

He believed in Love . . . Honor . . . and Obey - That Impulse!

Plot:

An old roué arrives in Hades to review his life with Satan, who will rule on his eligibility to enter the Underworld.

Plot Keywords:

Hell | Satan | Marriage | Hades | Philandering

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars.

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Gene Tierney	...	Martha
Don Ameche	...	Henry Van Cleve
Charles Coburn	...	Hugo Van Cleve
Marjorie Main	...	Mrs. Strable
Laird Cregar	...	His Excellency
Spring Byington	...	Bertha Van Cleve
Allyn Joslyn	...	Albert Van Cleve
Eugene Pallette	...	E.F. Strable
Signe Hasso	...	Mademoiselle
Louis Calhern	...	Randolph Van Cleve
Helene Reynolds	...	Peggy Nash
Aubrey Mather	...	James
Tod Andrews	...	Jack Van Cleve (as Michael Ames)

Runtime:

112 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

UK:A (original rating) | UK:U (re-rating) (2005) | USA:Approved (certificate #9073) | Finland:S | Germany:12 | Sweden:15

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Ernst Lubitsch migrated to 20th Century Fox partly out of frustration at being unable to get his pet projects "A Self-Made Cinderella" and "Margin for Error' made at his home for 20 years, Paramount. He and writing partner Samson Raphaelson hit upon the idea of adapting Leslie Bush-Fekete's 1934 play "Birthdays" for the screen. It was a subject close to Lubitsch's heart as he was undergoing a divorce at the time.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the breakfast scene just before Martha (Tierney) comes home to her parents Mr. Strabelle is served a large second helping of pancakes. Moments late when the camera gives him a medium shot, the stack is gone and the butler refills his plate.

Quotes:

Mary, Age 9: Hello Mary.
Mary, Age 9: Don't speak to me Henry Van Cleeve, you're a bad boy and my mother says I shouldn't talk to bad boys.
Henry Van Cleve, Age 9: Bet you don't know what I've got in this box.
Mary, Age 9: And I'm not interested in knowing either.
Henry Van Cleve, Age 9: Then I wont tell you its a beetle.
Mary, Age 9: A beetle!
Henry Van Cleve, Age 9: Do you like it?
Mary, Age 9: Who doesn't like beetles!
Henry Van Cleve, Age 9: Its yours.
Mary, Age 9: Thankyou, oh thankyou Henry. I wonder if I should take it.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hostage (2005/I)

Soundtrack:

By the Light of the Silvery Moon

When movies and actors were great

I may be generation X but I know a good movie when I see it. I happened across this one late at night and have watched it every time it has come on since. It is a light hearted tale of a decessed man that goes straight to hell and has to convince the devil, or his excellancy as he is called in the movie, why he deserves to be there, and not in heaven. If given the chance I HIGHLY RECOMEND that everyone sees this film.