Heaven Can Wait
Heaven Can Wait is a 1943 American supernatural comedy film produced and directed by Ernst Lubitsch and starring Gene Tierney, Don Ameche, and Charles Coburn. The film follows Henry Van Cleve, a man brought up in late 19th-century New York who, upon his death in 1942, attempts to argue to Satan that he deserves to be in Hell based on his life choices. The screenplay by Samson Raphaelson is based on the play Birthday by Ladislaus Bus-Fekete. The music score was by Alfred Newman and the cinematography by Edward Cronjager.
Plot
An aged Henry Van Cleve enters the opulent reception area of "where innumerable people had told him so often to go", to be personally greeted by "His Excellency". Henry petitions to be admitted (fully aware of the kind of life he has led), but some doubt exists as to his qualifications. To prove his worthiness (and unworthiness of Heaven), he begins to tell the story of his dissolute life.
Cast
- Allyn Joslyn
- Anita Sharp-Bolster
- Aubrey Mather
- Bert Moorhouse
- Bess Flowers
- Charles Coburn
- Clara Blandick
- Clarence Muse
- Dane Clark
- Dick Jones
- Dickie Moore
- Don Ameche
- Doris Merrick
- Eugene Pallette
- Florence Bates
- Gary Gray
- Gene Tierney
- Helene Whitney
- James Flavin
- Jay Eaton
- Laird Cregar
- Leonard Carey
- Louis Calhern
- Marjorie Main
- Scotty Beckett
- Signe Hasso
- Spring Byington
- Tod Andrews
More details
| author | Ernst Lubitsch Samson Raphaelson |
|---|---|
| contentLocation | New York City |
| director | Ernst Lubitsch |
| editor | Dorothy Spencer |
| genre | comedy-drama fantasy social |
| keywords | beautiful woman brentano\'s chorus girl chorus line date dressing room engage hear heaven hell henry v his excellency kansas city learn manhattan misunderstand mystery woman only child other place satan sneaking in social life spoil tenth anniversary true identity wait where innumerable people had told him so often to go young man |
| musicBy | Alfred Newman |
| nomination | Academy Award for Best Cinematography, Color Academy Award for Best Director Academy Award for Best Picture |
| producer | Ernst Lubitsch |
| productionCompany | 20th Century Studios |