Chance at Heaven (1933)

An ambitious mechanic is tempted to desert his wonderful girlfriend when a silly but rich debutante falls for him.

Director:

William A. Seiter

Writers:

Julien Josephson (screen play), Sarah Y. Mason (screen play),

Stars:

Ginger Rogers, Joel McCrea, Marian Nixon

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Ginger Rogers	...	Marjorie 'Marje' Harris
Joel McCrea	...	Blackstone 'Blacky' Gorman
Marian Nixon	...	Glory Franklyn (as Marion Nixon)
Andy Devine	...	Al
Lucien Littlefield	...	Mr. Fred Harris
Virginia Hammond	...	Mrs. S.T. Franklyn
George Meeker	...	Sid Larrick
Ann Shoemaker	...	Mrs. Harris

Storyline

Blackstone 'Blacky' Gorman, rising service station owner, is blessed with the devotion of supremely sweet and noble Marje Harris, but he meets coquettish and silly debutante Glory Franklyn and, between Glory's charm and his social ambition, is snared into an upscale marriage that proves to have its downside.

---

Plot Keywords:

abortion | elopement | new york city | fidelity | massachusetts | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 October 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amor que Engana

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Marian Nixon replaced Dorothy Wilson in the role of Glory Franklyn.

---

Quotes

Blacky Gorman: Hey Al, do you know Mrs. Franklin?
Al: Well, I knew a Mrs. Chili Franklin once.
Blacky Gorman: Where does she live?
Al: Well, I'm just not quite sure, ya see, she's been dead about 12 years now.

---

Soundtracks

"London Bridge is Falling Down"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung a cappella by Ginger Rogers and Joel McCrea

User Reviews

Complaisant Marjorie or Complacent Glory for Clueless Blackstone?

Well, this little Pre-Code Soaper without the sobbing builds around a triangular romance plot involving the lovely, cheerful, eager-to-please girl next door, Marjorie "Marje" Harris (Ginger Rogers), her fiancée, the clean-cut All-American Blackstone "Blacky" Gorman (Joel McCrea) in his starchy white service station uniform, and the irresponsible, spoiled, wealthy, but perky Glory Franklyn (Marian Nixon), who arrives on the cape (Cape Cod?) in search for fun.

Mrs. Harris (Ann Shoemaker) and Mr. Fred Harris (Lucien Littlefield), of modest means, rear their daughter to appreciate life's simple, everyday pleasures with a sense of responsibility, which Marjorie gleefully accepts, as she plans her forthcoming marriage with Blacky, content with the notion of creating with him domestic happiness.

Mrs. S.T. Franklyn (Virginia Hammond), on the other hand, oversees the maintenance of her summer residence, on the cape, along with a staff of "accents," or foreign-born servants, as she plans her daughter's, Glory, engagement to suitor Sid Larrick (George Meeker), whom Glory deems as somewhat stuffy.

Al (Andy Devine) attempts to support his employer and friend, by attempting to offer unheeded advice, but Blacky somehow suddenly becomes smitten with the tempting Glory, who cares little, if anything of the feelings of others, such as Blacky's fiancée or the suitor whom her mother has selected for her.

But when Marjorie discovers that Blacky considers jilting her for a position of wealth and society with another, she stands beside him, by pointing out that marrying Glory could represent Blacky's one "Chance at Heaven." Marjorie then encourages Glory to concentrate upon domestic tranquility to please Blacky, instead of painting stenciled floral patterns upon the woodwork of Blacky's bungalow.

Marjorie's role, thus, shifts from romantic interest to trustworthy, encouraging neighbor, as Glory defies her mother and social circle to pursue Blacky, who, along with Glory, needs Marjorie more than anyone realizes, for much encouragement behind the white Pickett fence.

So, the moral of the story would have to surround the decision regarding which path could offer the gentleman the greater "Chance at Heaven?" -- the carefree life of wealth even if Glory may find herself disowned by her mother for associating with a lowly mechanic, or the stable life of virtue and sincerity with the innocent one who would feel honored to cater to the every need of a handsome and capable mechanic?