Every decade has had a film or two made about the afterlife or some aspect of it. The 1940s spurred a rash of such films. "It's a Wonderful Life" of 1946 is perhaps the best known. "Heaven Can Wait" and "A Guy Named Joe" were two such films released in 1943. "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir" came out in 1947. Another 1946 film was "A Matter of Life and Death." "Between Two Worlds" was released in 1944.
"Here Comes Mr. Jordan" of 1941 may have started the surge. The idea for the plot is a catchy one, and the movie won two Oscars for the original story and screenplay. While billed as a comedy/romance and fantasy, this film also has crime and corruption, including murder. The plot is focused on Robert Montgomery who plays Joe Pendleton, with his metaphysical changes into other bodies and characters. The story keeps a light and humorous air, even with a sub-plot within the main story of a woman and boyfriend killing her wealthy husband. It includes some crime and corruption in the fight game. Then, it toys with adultery in the form of Joe's newest incarnation in the body of a married man. So, the plot is a little shaky in places, with the humor seeming out of place. The writing may be good, but the comedic atmosphere with these scenes just doesn't feel right.
The acting is so-so for most of the players. Claude Rains is Mr. Jordan and Edward Everett Horton is Messenger 7013. They are Joe's contacts in the afterlife. The only other notable role is by James Gleason as Max Corkle. He was Joe's trainer when Joe was a clean cut boxer on his way to the top. The best humor involves scenes with Max talking to Joe, who no one could see or hear. Max finally learns that Joe has come back in other bodies when Joe, in those bodies, tells him the story and gives him details that no one else could possibly know.
The romance is quite a stretch, and some of the cast are wooden in their roles. It's an OK story and lightly entertaining for adults. Most of the afterlife movies noted above from the 1940s are better films than this one. But none of them are comedies. Then again, how really funny is this one? A fight is fixed, a married couple step out on each other, a guy is drowned and then shot when he reappears alive. Great humor, huh? Maybe some other reviewers and I watched different films.
"Here Comes Mr. Jordan" of 1941 may have started the surge. The idea for the plot is a catchy one, and the movie won two Oscars for the original story and screenplay. While billed as a comedy/romance and fantasy, this film also has crime and corruption, including murder. The plot is focused on Robert Montgomery who plays Joe Pendleton, with his metaphysical changes into other bodies and characters. The story keeps a light and humorous air, even with a sub-plot within the main story of a woman and boyfriend killing her wealthy husband. It includes some crime and corruption in the fight game. Then, it toys with adultery in the form of Joe's newest incarnation in the body of a married man. So, the plot is a little shaky in places, with the humor seeming out of place. The writing may be good, but the comedic atmosphere with these scenes just doesn't feel right.
The acting is so-so for most of the players. Claude Rains is Mr. Jordan and Edward Everett Horton is Messenger 7013. They are Joe's contacts in the afterlife. The only other notable role is by James Gleason as Max Corkle. He was Joe's trainer when Joe was a clean cut boxer on his way to the top. The best humor involves scenes with Max talking to Joe, who no one could see or hear. Max finally learns that Joe has come back in other bodies when Joe, in those bodies, tells him the story and gives him details that no one else could possibly know.
The romance is quite a stretch, and some of the cast are wooden in their roles. It's an OK story and lightly entertaining for adults. Most of the afterlife movies noted above from the 1940s are better films than this one. But none of them are comedies. Then again, how really funny is this one? A fight is fixed, a married couple step out on each other, a guy is drowned and then shot when he reappears alive. Great humor, huh? Maybe some other reviewers and I watched different films.