The Heavenly Body (1944)

The beautiful wife of a tweedy astronomer becomes convinced that her astrologer's prediction of a new dream man in her life will come true.

Director:

Alexander Hall

Writers:

Jacques Théry (story), Harry Kurnitz (adaptation),

Stars:

William Powell, Hedy Lamarr, James Craig

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
William Powell	...	William S. Whitley
Hedy Lamarr	...	Vicky Whitley
James Craig	...	Lloyd X. Hunter
Fay Bainter	...	Margaret Sibyll
Henry O'Neill	...	Prof. Stowe
Spring Byington	...	Nancy Potter
Robert Sully	...	Strand
Morris Ankrum	...	Dr. Green
Franco Corsaro	...	Sebastian Melas - Violinist
Connie Gilchrist	...	Beulah - 'Delia Murphy'
Max Willenz	...	Dr.Gurtchakoff
Alex Melesh	...	Vladimir
Earl Schenck	...	Forbes
Arthur Space	...	Pierson
Helen Freeman	...	Stella

Storyline

Astronomer Bill Whitley is so preoccupied with the new comet he's discovered that his time at the observatory sometimes comes at the expense of his beautiful wife, Vicky. When the neglected spouse becomes influenced by an eccentric neighbor into believing in the power of astrology, she subscribes to a weekly horoscope from a phony seer, the appropriately named Margaret Sybill. When the beautiful Mrs. Whitley reads that a new dream man will be coming soon into her life, she assumes he's taken the form of Lloyd Hunter, a handsome and dashing foreign correspondent who doubles as the neighborhood air raid warden. A frantic Bill realizes that he's going to have to keep closer track of his earthbound heavenly body if he's going to keep the prediction from becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.

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Plot Keywords:

prediction | neighbor | air raid warden | comet | astrology | 

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Taglines:

By JUPITER, WHAT A STARRY-EYED ROMANCE THIS IS! (All caps)

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

April 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

Crepi l'astrologo

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Many cast members in studio records/casting call lists did not appear or were not identifiable in the movie. These were (with their character names): Howard M. Mitchell (Nicholas), Jacqueline Miller (W.U. Girl), Ralph Sanford (Policeman), John Sheehan (Policeman), Cliff Nazarro (Milkman), Phillip Terry (Whitley's Assistant), Lloyd Ford (Ethel's Husband), Rex Evans (Photo Insert of Hermann Göring) and Bobby Watson (Photo Insert of Adolf Hitler) (W.U. Girl undoubtedly stands for Western Union Girl, but no telegrams were seen delivered). In a Hollywood Reporter news item, Arno Frey and Dudley Dickerson were listed as cast members, but they were not seen either.

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Goofs

At one point Professor Stowe refers to Whitley as "Whitney".

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Quotes

Nancy Potter: You talk as if astrology is something to be ashamed of, like witchcraft or being a Democrat.

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Connections

References Charley's (Big-Hearted) Aunt (1940)

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Soundtracks

"Hungarian Dance No.1 in G Major"
(1873) (uncredited)
Written by Johannes Brahms
Played by Franco Corsaro at the concert

User Reviews

"I'm the happiest Capricorn in the world!"

If you are at all familiar with astrology, you'll find the tongue-in-cheek astrological subplot very amusing. Essentially a straightforward romantic comedy of the era, with a wartime subplot in addition to the astrological one. Astronomer Powell, pre-occupied with recent developments in his work, doesn't devote sufficient time to his marriage, so wife Hedy seeks guidance from the neighborhood astrologer. Informed that she is about to meet a new love, she becomes infatuated with a handsome air raid warden, presuming him to be her foretold lover. Predictable hijinks ensue, with the predictable happy ending.

A comment on the role of the astrologer, portrayed by Fay Bainter. Her character is more a shrewd neighborhood gossip than a psychic, but appears to be a genuine believer in astrology as opposed to a calculating charlatan. Her character is presented as essentially a harmless eccentric. However, she is later revealed to be a rations hoarder (much frowned upon during WWII). Some PC Pagan/New Age persons may therefore be offended by the negative, 'discriminatory stereotype' depicted in the film. Others can look forward to some silly, harmless entertainment.

I recall this amiable hodge podge of a film with affection. The stars are charming and appealing. It also has considerable camp value. And yes, Hedy's ethereal gorgeousness is nothing short of stunning.