Heaven Can Wait (1978)

A Los Angeles Rams quarterback, accidentally taken away from his body by an over-anxious angel before he was supposed to die, comes back to life in the body of a recently-murdered millionaire.

Directors:

Warren Beatty, Buck Henry

Writers:

Elaine May (screenplay), Warren Beatty (screenplay),

Stars:

Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, James Mason

Won 1 Oscar. Another 8 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Warren Beatty	...	Joe Pendleton
Julie Christie	...	Betty Logan
James Mason	...	Mr. Jordan
Jack Warden	...	Max Corkle
Charles Grodin	...	Tony Abbott
Dyan Cannon	...	Julia Farnsworth
Buck Henry	...	The Escort
Vincent Gardenia	...	Krim
Joseph Maher	...	Sisk
Hamilton Camp	...	Bentley
Arthur Malet	...	Everett
Stephanie Faracy	...	Corinne
Jeannie Linero	...	Lavinia
Harry D.K. Wong	...	Gardener
George J. Manos	...	Security Guard

Storyline

Joe Pendleton is a quarterback preparing to lead his team to the superbowl when he is almost killed in an accident. An overanxious angel plucks him to heaven only to discover that he wasn't ready to die, and that his body has been cremated. A new body must be found, and that of a recently murdered millionaire is chosen. His wife and accountant, the murderers, are confused by this development, as he buys the L.A. Rams in order to once again quarterback them into the Superbowl.

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Plot Keywords:

quarterback | angel | millionaire | heaven | death | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance | Sport

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 June 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

El cielo puede esperar

Filming Locations:

Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

SEK 3,864,734 (Sweden)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The movie was announced in Hollywood trade magazines on March 4, 1977.

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Goofs

In Farnsworth's study while Betty Logan is talking to Tony Abbott, she folds her petition and places it in her briefcase. A few moments later when the camera returns to her, she is holding the petition in front of her. Then, towards the end of the scene, the petition is no longer in her hands (we suppose back in her briefcase).

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Quotes

Joe Pendleton: I'm not supposed to be here.

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Connections

Featured in The 72nd Annual Academy Awards (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Entry of the Gladiators"
By Julius Fucík (as Julius Fucik)

User Reviews

Los Angeles: The City of Angels...And at One Time Rams.

Enjoyable "It's a Wonderful Life"-styled remake of "Here Comes Mr. Jordan", a memorable and sometimes forgotten production from 1941. An over-zealous angel (Buck Henry) takes the quarterback of the Los Angeles Rams (Oscar-nominee Warren Beatty) before his time. Naturally the body is cremated and Henry has to find Beatty another one. Beatty is then re-incarnated as a recently murdered billionaire. This development confuses the billionaire's two-timing wife (Oscar-nominee Dyan Cannon) and accountant (Charles Grodin, also Cannon's lover). Beatty promptly purchases his former team and makes himself the quarterback with aspirations of leading his club to the Super Bowl and winning it. Also along for the ride is the love interest (the always excellent Julie Christie) and the hard-nosed head trainer (priceless Oscar-nominee Jack Warden). "Heaven Can Wait" is a film that teaches about love, compassion, friendship and good moral values. Co-writer/co-director Beatty (nominated in both categories) is the primary catalyst here. His ability as a film-maker raises the movie to a near classic level. Admittedly the production never does quite reach the greatness of films of the type from the 1940s, but still ends up being one of the major winners from the 1970s. Co-star Henry shared a directing nomination with Beatty. Is it just me or do you miss having the Rams in Los Angeles? 4.5 out of 5 stars.