Heaven Can Wait (1943)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

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:

Hades | Marriage | Satan | Hell | Elopement

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Oscars.

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:

Henry Van Cleve: Don't buy this book
[How to make your Husband Happy]
Henry Van Cleve: , you don't need it. I'll tell you something more appropriate for you -
[Leave the Nest and Fly Away with me]
Henry Van Cleve: .

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Death Proof (2007)

Soundtrack:

Ta-ra-ra Boom-der-é

the best nostalgic romantic comedy I've ever seen

Another Lubitsch masterpiece, Heaven Can Wait is in brilliant color. It is extremely well acted, charming, and in its own way, timeless. It takes place mainly around the turn of the century though it does transcend decades. It is the engaging story of wealthy would-be playboy Henry Van Cleeve, magnificently played by Don Ameche, whose heart is captured by Gene Tierney. Since he always had a bit of the rogue in him, and acted mischievously at times, upon death Henry goes directly to see Satan (played winningly by Laird Cregar) to accept his fate of eternal damnation. Thus, the story of his life is told to Satan via flashback in most ingenious fashion. I don't wish to give any more away. It is marvelous fare for the entire family. See it and revel in it.