Heaven Only Knows (1947)

An angel is sent to earth to help a saloon owner and gambler save his soul.

Director:

Albert S. Rogell

Writers:

Aubrey Wisberg (original story), Ernest Haycox (treatment),

Stars:

Robert Cummings, Brian Donlevy, Marjorie Reynolds

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Robert Cummings	...	Michael, aka Mike
Brian Donlevy	...	Adam 'Duke' Byron
Marjorie Reynolds	...	Ginger 'The Copper Queen'
Jorja Curtright	...	Drusilla Wainwright
Bill Goodwin	...	Bill Plumber
John Litel	...	Reverend Wainwright
Stuart Erwin	...	Sheriff Matt Bodine
Gerald Mohr	...	Treason
Edgar Kennedy	...	Judd
Lurene Tuttle	...	Mrs. O'Donnell
Peter Miles	...	Speck O'Donnell
Will Orleans	...	Kansas City Kid (as Will Orlean)
Ray Bennett	...	Lawyer Creel

Storyline

Trade shown, reviewed and released as "Heaven Only Knows," for a short while until the exhibitors (in mostly small town situations) started complaining that customers were staying away in droves because they thought it was a religious film. UA pulled it back, in the same release year, and retitled it "Montana Mike" and sent it back out again, one of the few instances where an original title and an alternate title occurred in the same original release period or year, despite some sources that seem to think original and alternate and re-issue titles all came about in the same year. Actually it was a "religious" film or, to be more specific, a "religious fantasy" film. but it sold well in the stix as a Western, and worked well as one also. It seems that in Heaven, the Book of Life and The Book of Destiny are all out of balance because of one guy, a Montana saloon keeper and cold, ruthless killer, and the problem is the angels forgot to make a entry in the Book of Life for him. So a ...

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Plot Keywords:

angel | heaven | church | lynch mob | dog | 

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Genres:

Western | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 September 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

Montana Mike

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nero Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Marjorie Reynolds replaced Helen Walker, who had been injured in a car accident.

User Reviews

Montana Mike / Heaven Only Knows

As all of the other commentators say, this is a really great one. It is Really sad that it isn't available on DVD or even VHS. Suffice it to say I too still remember it fondly more than 50 years later, and pine for it still. Why oh why cannot we find out who owns it, and is keeping it off the market. We fans need to blanket that firm (person) until they do release it. It is at least unfair, if not immoral, to keep it from us adoring public. We need to once again visit Pair-O-Dice before we go to our eternal reward.

Robert Cummings does an admirable job of entertaining us and at the same time making us believe that he really is an angel from heaven sent to get back into balance the Book of Life and the Book of Destiny which got "out of balance" when the saloon keeper Brian Donlevy was left out of the Book of Life ( a clerical error). Bet you didn't realize that, before computers, the angels up in heaven had to do their bookkeeping by hand, and keep their books, accounting-wise, in balance. Well, Robert Cummings comes to earth to correct the mistake, and thus in the end he saves not only Donlevy but the poor souls of this old western town. But us viewers forget all about the premise of the Book of Life and just sit back and enjoy the movie. You will too, once we get it released to the public where it belongs.