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Staring: Robert Montgomery, Claude Rains, Evelyn Keyes, Rita Johnson, Edward Everett Horton
Director: Alexander Hall
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Product Details
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: Unrated
Binding: DVD
Brand: SONY PICTURES HOME ENT
EAN: 0043396050181
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
Label: Sony Pictures
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Sony Pictures
Region Code: 99
Release Date: 2007-02-06
Running Time: 94
Studio: Sony Pictures
Theatrical Release Date: 1941-08-07

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Editorial Review
Product Description
When a boxer (Robert Montgomery) is accidentally called to Heaven 50 years before his time, it's upto celestial executive extraordinaire Mr. Jordan (Claude Rains) to straighten out the matter. When Columbia Pictures' financial advisors read the screenplay for the fantasy comedy Here Comes Mr. Jordan, they had their doubts as to its box-office potential. Screenwriter Sidney Buchman went directly to studio president Harry Cohn in an effort to convince him to make the film. Cohn liked the script's uniqueness and, saying that all his bankers wanted was "what sold last year," told Buchman he'd make the picture. To play the saxophone-playing boxer Joe Pendelton, Cohn decided to borrow Robert Montgomery from MGM. Although Mongomery had some initial doubts about his part, he delivered what was to become an Oscar -nominated performance. The film, which received a total of seven 1941 nominations, including Best Picture, won two (Best Motion Picture Story, Best Screenplay). Here Comes Mr. Jordan was so successful, it inspired a semi-sequel (1947's Down To Earth, which starred Rita Hayworth) and was eventually remade in 1978 as Heaven Can Wait.

Amazon.com
Even after two remakes--one a classic (Heaven Can Wait), the other, not so much (Chris Rock's Down to Earth)--this 1941 fantasy, an Oscar-winner for Best Original Story and Screenplay, has lost none of its ethereal charms. Robert Montgomery gives a knockout performance as Joe Pendleton, a boxer "in the pink" and poised to be the next heavyweight champion until a celestial messenger (Edward Everett Horton at his fussy best) pulls him from an impending plane crash and sends him to heaven before his time. Courtesy of Mr. Jordan (Claude Rains), Joe resumes his training in the body of a wealthy, unscrupulous businessman whose wife and personal secretary are plotting to murder. James Gleason steals his scenes as Joe's understandably befuddled manager, with lovely Evelyn Keyes as Bette Logan, whose innocent father the real Farnsworth framed and sent to prison, and with whom Joe/Farnsworth falls in love. Though this DVD doesn't even feature a chapter menu, the film itself is, as advertised, "as fantastic a yarn as was ever spun" and will make you feel, as Bette does when she looks into Joe's eyes, "warm, alive, and happy." And they don't make too many like that anymore. --Donald Liebenson

Stills from Here Comes Mr. Jordan (click for larger image)

Beyond Here Comes Mr. Jordan

Columbia Classics on Amazon.com
More Boxing Films on Amazon.com
The Remake: Heaven Can Wait

Customer Reviews

Mixed emotions right at the end., 2007-05-20
When I first saw this film as a boy on TV, I loved it almost right up to the end. I came away depressed and spiritually moved at the same time. As a grown man when I watched it again, I came up with the same impression. It's that bit about Joe ending up with no memory of who he was. Don't get me wrong, I still love this film....Just not that part of the story. Of course the spiritial love ending would have never worked any other way. Sigh.

Here Comes Mr. Jordan, 2007-06-22
Alexander Hall's ingenious comedy/fantasy, was a departure for the usually suave Montgomery (father of Elizabeth from TV's "Bewitched"), but he tackles the role of working class pugilist with humanity and heart. The laughs come fast and furious once the befuddled Joe starts occupying the body of business titan Bruce Farnsworth, stunning his would-be killers and servants with a new-found passion for exercise and fair play. And once Bette Logan (Keyes) enters the picture, petitioning for her father (whom the (old) Farnsworth had ruined), a tentative, romance develops. "Jordan" boasts memorable turns from the always reliable Rains, and from James Gleason as Max Corkle, Joe's incredulous trainer. (Re-made by Warren Beatty as "Heaven Can Wait" in 1978).

Many, MANY Thanks To Mikey! Your Images (clips) Are MOST Helpful and Enlightening.*, 2007-10-25
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Unique... from the Latin 'one'---"only one of its kind."

"Here Comes Mr. Jordan" (1941) starring Robert Montgomery, Evelyn Keyes, Claude Rains and James Gleason (nominated for a Best Supporting Oscar for Max Corkle) ... and let's not omit the great Donald MacBride who plays police inspector Williams. All are perfect for their roles. Better than perfect---ideal!

But, that said, studio president Harry Cohn had to be cajoled and convinced to make the film. Columbia Pictures' financial advisors had their doubts as to its box-office potential. All the bankers wanted was "what sold last year."

That notwithstanding, this wonderful film went on to receive a total of seven 1941 nominations, including Best Picture, and won two Oscars (Best Motion Picture Story and Best Screenplay).

*I'm indebted to the reviewer "Mikey" for his earlier review: "Joe Pendelton says, Evelyn Keyes GOOD... Rita Johnson BAD!" which he posted here on December 19, 2006---the first review of the DVD and its artwork.

Mikey, I am MOST obliged to you for posting (sharing) your images/clips from the film showing the actors and the roles they played, and for explaining the unbefitting and lamentable errors made regarding this DVD's cover art. It is regrettable that this cover received such a paltry, meager effort from its producers. Thanks again for that timely information.

- And my final words... Evelyn Keyes is a stunningly beautiful woman Period. -

Here Comes Mr. Jordan, 2007-10-19
This was an excellent movie....It's hilarious and I am a lover of old movies. You will enjoy it indeed. I hated to see the movie end....good old-fashioned acting.....

Great old time movie, 2007-12-23
The original to the remake Heaven can wait with Warren Beatty. Staring Robert Montgomery. Great story line. Another winning movie that todays movie makers have made over. Nice romantic story with some comedic relief.

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