Here Comes Mr. Jordan

Rent It!

Released in 1941 this film was based on the play "Birthday" and was the subject of remakes for decades. Most people would recognize it as "Heaven Can Wait" which was remade under that same title several times along with the original sequel "Down To Earth".   "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" is the film that started it all telling the compelling and very entertaining story of  Boxer Joe Pendelton who crashes his plane.  Assuming Pendelton could not have possibly survived the crash an angel takes his soul to heaven only to find he was wrong. Pendelton was supposed to live another 50 years.  In the confusion Pendelton's earthly body is cremated so it's up to the angels to find him another body to live out his years.  If that plot line sounds familiar you may be thinking about the Eddie Murphy remake or perhaps the Warren Beatty remake.  The first remake was released in 1947 with Don Ameche and Gene Tierney.  The original film is charming and funny starring Robert Montgomery and Claude Rains.