The songs in Down to Earth are really bad, but the story is very cute. So if you don't mind a lot of popcorn breaks or fast-forwarding, you can catch one of the rare movies where Rita Hayworth doesn't cash in on her sex appeal. She plays a Greek goddess, one of the nine muses, and while looking down on Earth, she finds out about a playwright's attempt to make a musical about her and the other lovely ladies. The lyrics are offensive, the choreography crass, and the story ridiculous; in a moment of anger, she requests to be sent down to Earth as a human temporarily to "help" the show succeed (and hopefully sabotage it in the process). She poses as an actress, wows playwright Larry Parks, and gets cast as the lead!
Now here's the really adorable part: James Gleason reprises his role as Max Corkle from Here Comes Mr. Jordan. Rita's superior up in Heaven is Mr. Jordan (Roland Culver giving a Claude Rains impersonation), and her chaperone is Edward Everett Horton. There are tons of gags referencing the 1941 comedy, so if you haven't seen that one yet, be sure to rent it beforehand. Rita is very sweet in this movie, and even though the songs and dances are pretty cringe-worthy, it's worth watching. The story is simple but interesting, and the humor is charming.
Now here's the really adorable part: James Gleason reprises his role as Max Corkle from Here Comes Mr. Jordan. Rita's superior up in Heaven is Mr. Jordan (Roland Culver giving a Claude Rains impersonation), and her chaperone is Edward Everett Horton. There are tons of gags referencing the 1941 comedy, so if you haven't seen that one yet, be sure to rent it beforehand. Rita is very sweet in this movie, and even though the songs and dances are pretty cringe-worthy, it's worth watching. The story is simple but interesting, and the humor is charming.