Chirphymium
It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
Usamah Harvey
The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.
Rosie Searle
It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
Sean Jump
Here Comes Mr. Jordan is a nearly faultless example of Hollywood fantasy. The incredible plot works because the film is so wonderfully written and directed with standout performances from just about every cast member. In particular, Claude Rains delivers one of the most outstanding turns of his legendary career as the title character, conveying just the right combination of sympathy and authority as the angel who has to figure out a way to make things right. Robert Montgomery's performance is likewise excellent as our protagonist, and it's great to see Montgomery's character develop as he struggles to find his niche in his new life (afterlife?). The rest of the cast is outstanding as well, and the story moves along from one memorable moment to the next with an irresistible charm. As a comedy, the film delivers a host of hilarious moments but never descends to slapstick, relying instead on clever dialog and character interplay. Throw in some romance, a would-be murder, and a nice message about how things will somehow be made to work out for the best even when we as humans can't see a way, and you have a knockout movie that will continue to delight movie fans for many years to come.
rexshard93
When I watched this film for the first time, I liked it a lot. But I only considered the film as an enjoyable comedy. When I watched the second time, I realized so many interesting things we don't notice throughout the movie. When we look into Sidney Buchman and Seton Miller's wonderful screenplay, then we see that there are several interesting dialogue and ideas in the film.Here is an example of an interesting dialogue. Mr. Jordan says to Joe "Finance is merely a matter of heart being in the right place." Mr. Jordan also says to Joe "But eventually, she will see the soul of Joe Pendleton, because that is never lost. That will always shine through Joe. No matter what overcoat you put on." I think this dialogue covers the main message of the movie. Many people becomes sad about the ending, because they think Joe no longer exists.I think this is because they are confused about the message of the film. When I watched the film for the first time, I got a little confused too. But after the second viewing, I understood the film much more. Although Mr. Jordan gave the body of Murdock and his memory, still the soul belongs to Joe. Only Joe exists. Murdock is dead. The body of Murdock and Murdock's memory is nothing but an overcoat for the soul of Joe to live for the rest of his life. In the end, we see that the soul of Joe Pendleton shining through the overcoat of Murdock. That's one of the reasons why Betty was attracted to him in the end. And this is also one of the reasons why Max Corkle becomes his coach in the end. Through the saxophone, we realize that it is Joe's soul inside Murdock's body. In the end, we see nothing but the beauty of the message left for us.We also have to appreciate what Screenwriter Sidney Buchman did to this project. Harry Cohn wanted to make this film as a low budget. But Sidney Buchman pushed Harry Cohn to give a high budget for this film. And Buchman also insisted Harry Cohn to get Robert Montgomery for the leading role. Just like Joe Pendleton's Soul, Sidney Buchman's love and true dedication makes this film shine. And I thought Alexander Hall's direction was great. His direction especially at the ending scenes and Frederick Hollander's score makes this film even more special. I thought everyone did a great job playing their roles. I rate this film 10 out of 10.
writers_reign
What's in a name? Well you might ask: In 1941 a minor play by Harry Seagall entitled Heaven Can Wait was adapted for the screen as Here Comes Mr. Jordan. Two years later, 1943, Ernst Lubitsch adapted a play entitled Birthday, by Hungarian playwright Leslie-Bush Fekete for the screen and called it Heaven Can Wait. Confused? You ain't heard nothing yet; 30 years later Warren Beatty remade Here Comes Mr. Jordan under its original title, Heaven Can Wait. Both plays/screenplays had one common element in that both protagonists - Robert Montgomery's Joe Pendleton in the former and Don Ameche's Henry Van Cleave in the latter - died in the opening reels of their respective films but their the resemblance ends. Ameche died of natural causes after a long and full life whilst Montgomery didn't technically die at all. In the prime of his life, whilst alone in and piloting his own private plane it went into a spin and seemed certain to crash; New-Boy-In-Heaven Edward Everett Horton assumed the worst and plucked Joe from the plane. Alas, Joe wasn't due to die for another fifty years and is rightly miffed to find himself in limbo. He demands to see Horton's supervisor, Mr. Jordan (Claude Rains) who soon ascertains that not only is Joe not supposed to die he is also destined to become world heavyweight boxing champion. In theory there's nothing to it; return Joe to earth and let him get on with his life. There's the rub; his manager, Max Corklle (James Gleason) has already had Joe cremated ergo there is no 'body' for him to inhabit. This, of course, is where purists/pedants will come into their own; presumably there would be only a split second between Joe dying in the crash (which, of course, he survived) and his 'soul' being shipped to Heaven, hardly time for Corkle to 1) locate the crashed plane and 2) complete the necessary paperwork for the cremation which would take at least two or three days and 2) if Mr. Jordan has the power to return Joe to earth then surely it is not beyond him to reverse Time the necessary few seconds. Cavilling of this nature apart, the film delivers solid entertainment as Joe - who has the power to choose - selects first the body of millionaire Richard Farnsworth, just as he has been drowned in his bath by his wife and his secretary, and then the boxer he had, as Joe Pendleton, been scheduled to fight, and who is subsequently killed in the ring. If you're not too fussy about plot lines and relish the likes of Claude Rains walking away with the picture you'll enjoy this one.
Jem Odewahn
I really liked this fun romantic comedy-fantasy. I'm not big on Robert Montgomery, and his first scenes boxing in the ring (with a little paunch!)and then speaking in that trying-to-be-low-class accent made him seem miscast, but he grew on me as the film went on, and I really enjoyed his performance. It's one of his best.I just love the the premise of the film, and the fantasy-yet-reality of it all. The script, taken from the hit stage play HEAVEN CAN WAIT, is sharp, witty and runs along with a nice pace. Claude Rains gives an excellent performance as the title character, he is completely memorable and it's another one of his classic supporting roles. Gleason and Everett Horton also do some good work, and even if Rita Johnson is a bit stiff as Mrs Farnsworth (and why on earth is she is on the front cover of the Columbia DVD with Montgomery and Rains when it is the lovely Evelyn Keyes who is the leading lady? Were they too lazy to correct this glaring error?) she sure makes you detest her! Keyes, who I'm only familiar with as Suellen O'Hara, gives a nice performance in a role that doesn't really ask for her to do much except look pretty and slowly fall for Montgomery.It's a great oft-overlooked classic, with important, thought-provoking, moving themes of life, death and love. Above all, it's just great fun, mixing light comedy with romance and questioning our existence without being heavy-handed at all.
