Astute salute to a charming rake, deceptive satire disguised as a bubble. This movie has Ameche as an innocent Casanova, shown from infancy to his death at age 70. The film opens with a deceased Ameche standing before the Devil, Cregar, requesting his passport to Hell. Cregar studies his newest applicant and then reviews Ameche's carefree and often careless life. Based on the Hungarian play Birthdays by Ladislaus Bus-Fekete, with additional bromides from Samson Raphaelson. But Ameche is short on charm and too hapless for the role; he can't get any real chemistry cooking with Tierney. Still, it's compensated by a supporting cast of pros, and Lubitsch's deft direction. This was Lubitsch's first color film; the Basevi-Fuller Hell is a fabulous sight to see.

Country of origin: U.S.
Genre: Comedy
Color or b/w: Color
Production Co(s).: Fox
Released by: Fox
MPAA rating: NR
Running time: 112

Gene Tierney -- Martha
Don Ameche -- Henry Van Cleve
Charles Coburn -- Hugo Van Cleve
Marjorie Main -- Mrs. Strabel
Laird Cregar -- His Excellency
Spring Byington -- Bertha Van Cleve
Allyn Joslyn -- Albert Van Cleve
Eugene Pallette -- Mr. Strabel
Signe Hasso -- Mademoiselle
Louis Calhern -- Randolph Van Cleve
Helene Reynolds -- Peggy Nash
Aubrey Mather -- James
Tod Andrews -- Jack Van Cleve
Leonard Carey -- Flogdell
Clarence Muse -- Jaspe
Dickie Moore -- Henry at Age 15
Dick Jones -- Albert at Age 15
Trudy Marshall -- Jane
Florence Bates -- Mrs. Craig
Clara Blandick -- Grandmother
Anita Sharp Bolster -- Mrs. Cooper-Cooper
Alfred Hall -- Albert's Father
Grayce Hampton -- Grace's Mother
Nino Pipitone Jr. -- Jack as a Child
Claire DuBrey -- Miss Ralston
Charles Halton -- Clerk in Britano's
James Flavin -- Policeman
Michael McLean -- Henry at Age 15 Months
Scotty Beckett -- Henry at Age 9
Doris Merrick -- Nurse
Marlene Mains -- Mary
Edwin Maxwell -- Doctor
Maureen Rodin-Ryan -- Nurse

Producer: Ernst Lubitsch
Director: Ernst Lubitsch
Writer: Samson Raphaelson (based on the play Birthdays by Ladislaus Bus-Fekete)
Cinematographer: Edward Cronjager (Technicolor)
Editor: Dorothy Spencer
Music Composer: Alfred Newman
Art Director: James Basevi
Leland Fuller
Set Decorator: Thomas Little
Walter M. Scott
Costume Design: Rene Hubert