Heaven Can Wait
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch • 1943 • United States
Starring Gene Tierney, Don Ameche, Charles Coburn
Deceased playboy Henry Van Cleve (Don Ameche) presents himself to the outer offices of Hades, where he asks a bemused Satan for permission to enter through the gates of hell. Though the devil doubts that Henry’s sins qualify him for eternal damnation, Henry proceeds to recount a lifetime of wooing and pursuing women, his long, happy marriage to Martha (Gene Tierney) notwithstanding. Ernst Lubitsch’s HEAVEN CAN WAIT, nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director, is an enduring classic that showcases the filmmaker’s trademark blend of wit, urbanity, and grace.
-
Heaven Can Wait
Directed by Ernst Lubitsch • 1943 • United States
Starring Gene Tierney, Don Ameche, Charles CoburnDeceased playboy Henry Van Cleve (Don Ameche) presents himself to the outer offices of Hades, where he asks a bemused Satan for permission to enter through the gates of hell. Though the devil doub...
Extras
-
HEAVEN CAN WAIT Edition Intro
-
HEAVEN CAN WAIT Scott Eyman Intro
-
Molly Haskell and Andrew Sarris on HEAVEN CAN WAIT
In the following conversation, shot in January 2005, film critics Molly Haskell and Andrew Sarris discuss director Ernst Lubitsch and HEAVEN CAN WAIT.
-
Samson Raphaelson on “Creativity with Bill Moyers”
Playwright and screenwriter Samson Raphaelson worked on nine films with director Ernst Lubitsch, including TROUBLE IN PARADISE, THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER, and HEAVEN CAN WAIT. As critic Richard Corliss said, “In his work with the immortal Ernst, he created a most highly polished and perfectly su...
-
Samson Raphaelson at MOMA
Playwright and screenwriter Samson Raphaelson worked on nine films with director Ernst Lubitsch, including TROUBLE IN PARADISE, THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER, and HEAVEN CAN WAIT. As critic Richard Corliss said, “In his work with the immortal Ernst, he created a most highly polished and perfectly su...
-
ERNST LUBITSCH: A MUSICAL COLLAGE Nicola Lubitsch Introduction
-
Ernst Lubitsch: A Musical Collage
Director Ernst Lubitsch was well known for his enthusiastic piano playing, on set and at social gatherings. Presented here by the filmmaker’s daughter, Nicola Lubitsch, are rare home recordings of the filmmaker at the piano, illustrated with a collage of photographs featuring him and his family, ...
