HERE COMES MR JORDAN
US, 1941, 93 minutes, Black and white.
Robert Montgomery, Evelyn Keyes, Rita Johnson, Claude Rains, James Gleason, Edward Everett Horton?, John Emery, Donald Mac? Bride, Halliwell Hobbs, Don Costello.
Directed by Alexander Hall.
Here Comes Mr Jordan was one of the very popular films of 1941, with many Oscar nominations including Best Film, Director, Star and Supporting Actor, James Gleason. It won an Oscar for its original story, by playwright Harry Segall. (Segall also wrote Angel on my Shoulder.)
The film was a popular fantasy from wartime, the ordinary citizen who encountered death and angels and devils. Other films of the period include The Devil and Daniel Webster, Death Takes a Holiday.
Robert Montgomery is a boxer who dies in an accident, is not meant to go to heaven until 50 years later and so gets a chance to come back to earth - in other people's bodies. This is arranged by the very suave Mr Jordan, played unctuously by Claude Rains. His bumbling assistant is Edward Everett Horton?.
James Gleason is amusing as the bemused coach. Evelyn Keyes is the heroine.
The film has the touches of the screwball comedies of the '30s. It was remade, with great respect for the original screenplay, using many of its lines and jokes, by Warren Beatty?, Elaine May and Buck Henry as Heaven Can Wait (the original title of the play).
1. The popularity of films about angels, devils and death in the '40s? An example of the genre? Its popularity in 1941?
2. The original title of Heaven Can Wait, the emphasis on Mr Jordan? here? The black and white photography, special effects? Musical score?
3. Max Corkle and his telling the tall story? From his point of view?
4. Joe and his boxing, his hopes, reliance on Max for the training, the build-up to the bout, his enjoying flying the plane, the saxophone, the plane accident and his death?
5. The messenger and his meeting Joe, in the transition station, the argument, the plane and the travellers, Mr Jordan? to resolve the problem? The truth, the dilemma about his body?
6. Max, seeing the children, hearing about the cremation? Joe and Mr Jordan not being seen by others? Searching the world for a suitable body?
7. Bruce Farnsworth, his business deals, Julia and Tony Abbott? and their plot to kill him, Betty as their alibi? Betty arriving, wanting to see Farnsworth? Julia's reaction and fainting?
8. Joe and his unwillingness to be Farnsworth, seeing Betty, concerned about her, the tension, the time, his making a choice? Getting dressed, the inner person - and Farnsworth's body like an overcoat? His assuming Farnsworth's life?
9. Betty, her plea, concern about her father? Farnsworth and his reaction? The board meeting, the change, giving the money back? People's reactions?
10. Joe and his concern about boxing, getting Max, the argument about his identity, persuading him, training, the cheque to arrange the bout? Max and his discussions with Mr Jordan - whether he was there or not?
11. Julia and Abbott, their continued conspiracy, the shooting of Farnsworth?
12. Betty, her visit, in love with Farnsworth, looking into his eyes - and his telling her to be alert for a boxer in the future?
13. The messenger and Mr Jordan returning, the investigation, the police, the saxophone? The collapse of the boxer, his death, Joe taking his place and winning?
14. The aftermath, the crooked manager, Max taking over, Joe giving his identity? Max explaining everything? The exasperation of the police - but ultimately the finding of the body?
15. Joe not remembering anything, Mr Jordan's farewell, Joe's destiny as Murdoch, employing Max, the meeting with Betty, her looking into his eyes? A future?
16. Enjoyable '40s comedy? the touch of the screwball? The '40s fantasy? Encouragement in wartime?
