Heaven Can Wait (1943)
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. |
| Academy
Award Nomination: Best Picture Academy Award Nomination: Best Director - Ernst Lubitsch Academy Award Nomination: Best Color Cinematography - Edward Cronjager Country of
origin: U.S. Gene Tierney -- Martha |