Heaven Can Wait is a sharp romantic comedy with the Ernst Lubitsch touch. When a dearly departed former playboy (Don Ameche) goes to Hell, he must convince the ruler of the realm of darkness that he has come to the right place. He recounts his life story, including his unfaithfulness to his beautiful wife (Gene Tierney), but as his life flashes in front of his eyes, he and the Devil find he was a terribly good father, a horribly loyal husband, and a hideously kindhearted soul.
Heaven Can Wait was also director Lubitsch’s only film to be shot entirely in color.
Academy Award Nominations: Best Color Cinematography; Best Picture; Best Director.
production details
USA | Twentieth Century Fox | 112 minutes | 1943
Director: Ernst Lubitsch
Script: Leslie Bush-Fekete, Samson Raphaelson,
cast
Aubrey Mather as James
Marjorie Main as Mrs. Strabel
Charles Coburn as Hugo Van Cleve
Dickie Moore as Henry Van Cleve – Age 15 (uncredited)
Gene Tierney as Martha Strabel Van Cleve
Clarence Muse as Jasper
Don Ameche as Henry Van Cleve
Leonard Carey as Flogdell
Laird Cregar as His Excellency
Spring Byington as Bertha Van Cleve
Allyn Joslyn as Albert Van Cleve
Eugene Pallette as E.F. Strabel
Signe Hasso as Yvette (“Mademoiselle”)
Louis Calhern as Randolph Van Cleve
Helene Reynolds as Peggy Nash
Tod Andrews as Jack Van Cleve
Florence Bates as Mrs. Edna Craig
Scotty Beckett as Henry Van Cleve – Age 9
Anita Sharp-Bolster as Mrs. Cooper-Cooper
Clara Blandick as Grandmother Van Cleve
Edwin Maxwell as Doctor
Bess Flowers as Party Guest