This hilarious Ernst Lubitsch movie has a confusing title. Based on the play Happy Birthday, it changed the title to Heaven Can Wait. The 1941 film Here Comes Mr. Jordan was based on the completely unrelated play Heaven Can Wait; the 1978 remake kept its original title and confused everyone. As a result, no one but the biggest old movie buffs even remembers this Don Ameche movie.
But it's so cute! Don plays a well-intentioned cad who dies and gets sent to Hell. But while in the waiting room, he gets a chance to explain his life choices to the Devil (played by Laird Cregar). In flashbacks we see different sections of his life. All the scenes take place on his birthday, spanning through the decades (hence the title of the Broadway play).
What I love about this movie is the great comic timing and energy of Don Ameche. You can imagine the script being performed onstage, but it doesn't come across as "play-ish". Don carries the movie and envelopes the audience in his world. His grandfather, Charles Coburn, blindly supports him in everything he does. His wife, Gene Tierney, falls for his overwhelming charm but then wishes she hadn't. He's selfish, overbearing, and impossible to refuse - which is why she tries time and again to leave him. "Tries" is the operative word; either Don or his grandfather end up talking her into staying. Even through all his faults, you do root for him and hope he and Gene can somehow find happiness.
In lush Technicolor, with beautiful costumes amidst the lovely time period, this is a movie to treasure. It will keep you laughing and believing in second chances no matter how many times you watch it.
But it's so cute! Don plays a well-intentioned cad who dies and gets sent to Hell. But while in the waiting room, he gets a chance to explain his life choices to the Devil (played by Laird Cregar). In flashbacks we see different sections of his life. All the scenes take place on his birthday, spanning through the decades (hence the title of the Broadway play).
What I love about this movie is the great comic timing and energy of Don Ameche. You can imagine the script being performed onstage, but it doesn't come across as "play-ish". Don carries the movie and envelopes the audience in his world. His grandfather, Charles Coburn, blindly supports him in everything he does. His wife, Gene Tierney, falls for his overwhelming charm but then wishes she hadn't. He's selfish, overbearing, and impossible to refuse - which is why she tries time and again to leave him. "Tries" is the operative word; either Don or his grandfather end up talking her into staying. Even through all his faults, you do root for him and hope he and Gene can somehow find happiness.
In lush Technicolor, with beautiful costumes amidst the lovely time period, this is a movie to treasure. It will keep you laughing and believing in second chances no matter how many times you watch it.