Heaven Can Wait (1943)

Posted on by womo



One of my favourite films of all time. Very nice and makes a change from conflict based media.

From Wikipedia:
“An aged Henry Van Cleve (Don Ameche) enters the opulent reception area of Hell, to be personally greeted by “His Excellency” (Laird Cregar). Henry petitions to be admitted (fully aware of the kind of life he had led), but there is some doubt as to his qualifications. To prove his worthiness (or rather unworthiness), he begins to tell the story of his dissolute life.”

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. It is my understanding that this film is now in the public domain which is why I downloaded it in the first place and upload it here, now. I make no claims of ownership of this content but am merely sharing it with those who may appreciate it.

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48 Replies to “Heaven Can Wait (1943)”

  6. The very short speach Don Ameche makes at 37:51 is just great. One of several really good "heaven" movies from that era. The guy that's the devil might have played that part in another 1 too. That was common in Hollywood then. I love that it's in Technicolor, with such vivid colors, really showing how pretty Gene Tierney was. It's a really enjoyable show!

  8. ???? thank you for sharing. Full of humor and witty conversation. The special make up specialist did a terrific and realistic transformation of our naughty lead male from 20s to 70.

  9. HEAVEN CAN WAIT, was about two people very much in love. The man dies and he tells his girl – I'll be back for you, to be with you. He won't look like me, but you'll recognize my eyes and it's me. At the end, she meets a man and after a bit if confusion, uncertainty, shock, she recognizes his eyes and he expresses to her through his eyes – and they're both together again.
    The remake, of the same title, was made with JULIE CHRISTIE AND WARREN
    BEATTY. IF my memory doesn't escape me, JAMES MASON was in the original but not according to this.

  10. They changed "knickers" to loose bottomed, hemmed, three quarter length "pants". ROFL – "Your soul is bigger than your pants."?
    DON AMECHE
    My dad always told us DON AMECHE was his cousin.

  13. Here I am watching a movie that my grandparents would watch… while my kids sorta make fun of me for watching a movie that was well made before my mother was even born lol. They said moms watching an old movie. Mom why are you watching a weird movie that was made way before you were born? Omg Mom hahaha.” Then I look a few minutes to my left and they are quietly sneaking over my shoulder watching parts that intrigues their intelligent and sophisticated minds. Lmao this story was so great. To think I was looking at a message someone put out for someone and they mentioned Gene and I decided to look her up and started with this movie. Now I’m in love with these movies 🙂 thank you random person.

  22. Where’s the poor kids down the mines starving to death Hollywood ? it’s amazing what an educated does for the brain 40 years on
    No poverty movies Hollywood that’s bad for shopping ??????????

  23. I am amazed by the comment section on this film. Henry was an adulterous cad of the gilded age who spent vast amounts of cash on gold diggers his entire life, without enough discretion to spare his wife and child embarrassment from it. Yet most of those commenting call it a wonderful story of a better time. True, we see no nudity, but he wasn't buying jewelry worth a year's wages for women who only gave him a peck on the cheek. What you're basically saying is that screwing around is fine, as long as it's not shown. If you imagine the language and visuals are more important than the actual behavior, you have more of a problem than filmmakers who show those things more openly.

  25. A great age …where women where ladies & dressed lovely &men where gentelmen dressed wonderful as well..but I guess only the rich looked like this…and only happens in the movies!!

  26. Children could watch this , as I have, and come away with a certain richness of the Soul. As an adult, I see these movies were told in code, to protect the innocent. People were not totally innocent back then, for sure, but they Did value the innocence of the little ones as a man with a conscience is of value to us as to our Father in Heaven. Written with appreciation.

  31. It's amazing the things that you are introduced that stay with you for years.

    Music film etc.

    I even recognized the music. Plus it's been years since thr showed this on TV.

    My family have gone ahead of me as I am the sole survivor.

    I know In my heart like grandfather, they are all waiting for me.

  35. I can watch Gene Tierney in any movie and I love the demeanor Don Ameche did in his tone of speech and an all start cast of such innocence that has been lost !!

  39. I enjoyed this movie. Always liked romantic movies.. It has very nice color print. Good story. Good entertainment, but not one of the great movies like Godfather or Gone with the Wind, A streetcar named Desire.

  40. Another good old classic film was one starring David Niven called A Matter of Life and Death when someone was at the point of death, but wasn't meant to die.  He was "removed" from earth too soon and had to fight his case in Heaven to be returned, as his removal was a mistake.  A brilliant film.

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