Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) User Reviews

Fulfilling Your Destiny

[bkoganbing · 9/10 · 25 November 2007]

For his second of two Oscar nominations Robert Montgomery was loaned to Columbia Pictures for Here Comes Mr. Jordan, a very charming fantasy about a man who fulfills his destiny in many different ways in many different bodies.

I'm not sure how theologically sound this is, but apparently they make mistakes in heaven. Of course when you've got a new heavenly retriever on the job like Edward Everett Horton anything is possible.

He snatches prize fighter Robert Montgomery from a private plane that's about to crash. Only problem is that Montgomery wasn't supposed to die in the crash. What to do, send for Claude Rains in the title role as the heavenly fixer, Mr. Jordan.

Montgomery goes through two different bodies after that in an effort to give him the life span that the heavenly records are supposed to have for him. In one of those guises he meets Evelyn Keyes for whom he falls big time and she him. Of course there's a problem because Montgomery is a millionaire, married to Rita Johnson who with his private secretary, John Emery is trying to kill him.

Through all of this lending his confused elfin charm is James Gleason as Montgomery's fight manager. Seems as though Gleason had a destiny also, to manage a heavyweight champion. Gleason got his career role in Here Comes Mr. Jordan as he was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor, but lost to Donald Crisp for How Green Was My Valley. The film itself was Columbia's entry in the Best Picture category, but also lost to How Green Was My Valley.

This was Robert Montgomery's second Oscar nomination and the movie going public accepted him as good natured, saxophone playing pug Joe Pendleton a lot better than the homicidal maniac in Night Must Fall his first and other Oscar nomination. This time Montgomery lost to Gary Cooper in Sergeant York.

My favorite in this film however is the wise and patient Claude Rains as Mr. Jordan. One thing the film does do is that the end will have you wondering whether the whole thing really was Montgomery's destiny. Some of Rains's expressions will keep you guessing.

The soul lives on

[blanche-2 · 8/10 · 29 December 2006]

"Here Comes Mr. Jordan" stars Robert Montgomery as Joe Pendleton, a prize fighter who, hurtling toward earth in his damaged plane, is taken to heaven prematurely by a new heavenly worker (Edward Everett Horton). Upon reaching the gates, it appears that the book states that Joe isn't scheduled to head skyward until 1991. An attempt to return his spirit to his body fails since Joe was cremated; Joe ends up in the body of a business tycoon, Farnsworth, just drowned by his wife and male secretary, except Farnsworth is suddenly not dead. Joe as Farnsworth meets Bette (Evelyn Keyes) and falls in love with her while wreaking havoc with the man's money and business and continuing to aggravate his wife and secretary. Then Mr. Jordan comes to him with some really bad news.

This is a delightful movie, and though "Heaven Can Wait," its '70s remake, was very enjoyable, how could it be as good or better when Claude Rains and Robert Montgomery are in the original? Montgomery, who for years did light comedy as an elegant leading man, is wonderful as a streetwise prizefighter. James Gleason, as Joe's manager Corkle, has some great comic moments when he meets up with Farnsworth and Farnsworth claims to be the dead Joe. Evelyn Keyes is lovely in the ingénue role, and Rita Johnson makes an excellent murderous wife. Claude Rains played the devil in another film, and as Mr. Jordan apparently works with the Head Honcho on the other side. He exudes warmth and calmness and performs beautifully opposite the more volatile Montgomery characters.

This film was released before Pearl Harbor, but everyone knew the U.S. would be entering the war. Thus began a spate of these films - "A Guy Named Joe," "Heaven Can Wait," "The Bishop's Wife," "Angel on my Shoulder," "It's a Wonderful Life," "Down to Earth," and others. The fascination with death, angels, destiny, and souls was understandably rampant as reflected by Hollywood from 1941-1948 as people sought to understand what happened to their loved ones.

"Here Comes Mr. Jordan" is one of the really fine examples of this genre, with beautiful performances and story. I shed some tears at the end. Perhaps you will too.

When a body need a body.......

[Mike-764 · 9/10 · 20 August 2004]

Boxer Joe Pendleton is killed in an airplane crash, while training for a championship match, however Joe wasn't to die for sometime far into the future. In order to make things right, Mr. Jordan (in charge of all arrivals for the hereafter) searches for another body that Joe can use until his time is up. The body of financier Bruce Farnsworth is the selection after he is killed by his wife and secretary in order to continue their romance and get ahold of his finances. Betty Logan appears to get Farnsworth to settle the matter concerning her father, who was sent to prison in a deal swindled by Farnsworth, and Joe frees her father, but falls for her as well. In the meantime, Joe (as Farnsworth- everyone sees Joe as Farnsworth but Joe sees himself as his true being-) starts training for the championship fight (it was Joe's natural destiny to become champ), with the help of Joe's trainer, Max Corkle. This upsets Julia Farnsworth, who then decides to make certain that Joe/Farnsworth is killed. Joe and Mr. Jordan work to make sure Joe can find another body in order to become boxing champ, bring Julia and Abbott to justice, and keep the romance alive between Joe & Betty. This film has such a beautiful charm (even though it seems hokey at times, but it has the ability to bridge gaps between audiences easily. An excellent script, crisp direction, and excellent performances by the cast (Gleason standing out as the befuddled trainer Corkle.) The ending is both brilliant and touching. Rating, 9.

Charming classic

[mermatt · 18 February 2001]

This story has made it to the screen three times so far -- HERE COMES MR. JORDAN with Robert Montgomery, HEAVEN CAN WAIT with Warren Beatty, and DOWN TO EARTH with Chris Rock. This one is the best of the three with Claude Rains stealing all his scenes -- a knack he had in most of his films. The movie deals with premature death, reincarnation, murder, and other serious topics, but all of it is handled with a charmingly light touch. This is a delightful classic.

Most romantic moment in Hollywood history... unforgettable

[A_Different_Drummer · 10/10 · 15 November 2013]

Even today, 70+ years after this film was made, with this reviewer (having seen it maybe a dozen time) now in his dotage, I will still occasionally bump into another cinephile, no matter male or female, who will recall this film for that one unforgettable scene where Montgomery's character, Joe Pendelton, finally gets a replacement body that suits him, and his angel (played by Claude Rains) gives him a merry sendoff by removing the memory of everything that happened in the film before that. To balance the cosmos, so to speak. Unfortunately, this also removed his memory of a girl he'd met in an earlier body (one that did not work out) so it seems that now, the course of true love is thwarted. But is it? In a long corridor inside the stadium where Montgomery's character, in his last (and final) body, has just finished a prize fight, as Montgomery passes by the girl he once was in love with (ie, in another body before his memory was diddled with); and the girl, convinced the man she'd loved (ie, Montgomery in an earlier body) was dead, passes him going the other way. Of course she does not recognize him (new body, new name); and he does not recognize her (aforesaid angelic diddling). But as they pass as strangers, the lights in the corridor momentarily go out. And when the lights come back on, each stops, aware that just for a moment, in the dark, they recognized something about the other that was not obvious to the eye. And then the girl suggests that maybe they should go have a coffee and talk about the experience. And I swear I get misty-eyed just writing about this scene, that's how powerful it is, and I promise you that none of the 700 remakes has captured it properly. In fact, the tears are welling up so fast I am going to have to go out and shoot a deer just to remind myself what a manly man I am. Oh, in case I forgot, superb film, superb performances, based on a brilliant stage play, Claude Rains riding shotgun, mesmerizing and unforgettable. There, I think I covered all the bases. Actually deserves a 20 and I mean to talk to the IMDb about making a special rating system for this film. They listen to me, they really do...

Man with a saxophone

[jotix100 · 10/10 · 26 December 2003]

Hollywood would probably be better off in looking to its past than at its future. The late 30s and early 40s produced a string of films that will not be equaled, or surpassed in a very foreseeable future.

Take this film. It has been re-adapted a couple of times and sadly to say, those new movies pale in comparison. There are no stars with the caliber of a Robert Montgomery, Claude Rains, Edward Everett Horton, or Evelyn Keyes, actually, or in the horizon. To get actors of this caliber in a film today, would be a monumental task to accomplish.

This film, an adaptation of a stage work, translates to the screen with such ease that is hard to surpass. Directed by Alexander Hall, with panache, is a pleasure to sit through it and enjoy.

The cast is absolutely flawless. The great Robert Montgomery is very charming in his triple 're-incarnation'. Claude Rains is perfect, as is Edward Everett Horton as heavenly figures on earth. Evelyn Keyes is so beautiful. How about Rita Johnson? She cuts such a sophisticated figure. John Emery is oily enough as the evil secretary Abbott. And James Gleason's appearance has the right amount of know how and bewilderment in understanding the situation.

This picture makes us realize how ahead of her time the brilliant Edith Head was. Her costumes are a perfect touch to enhance the appearance of the stars of that era. Wow! What style and sophistication she had! No one can come close to her.

This is an original to be savored by discerning film aficionados.

Fun yet marred by a remarkably depressing "happy" ending

[WoodrowTruesmith · 7/10 · 5 September 2005]

As wonderful as this original version is, it and all its remakes have one horrible, gaping plot hole.

WARNING: NOT-SO-HEAVENLY SPOILER BELOW...

Does it bother anyone else that in the end, Joe Pendleton is erased? I don't mean he dies and goes to Heaven like presumably every other soul in the movie's universe. I mean, because of Edward Everett Horton's foul-up (and Claude Rains's heavenly cover-up), Pendleton ends up in the body of K.O. Murdoch with no memory of his previous life as Pendleton. In fact, he is Murdoch, although he still looks like Robert Montgomery (no doubt "Quantum Leap" was inspired by this, four decades later).

Sure, he has some faint residual feelings of Pendleton's that make him hire James Gleason to be his manager, and he and Evelyn Keyes will no doubt fall in love. But the Joe Pendleton who grew up and lived his life and knew both of them before his memory was erased...PERMANENTLY CEASES TO EXIST. Pendleton is the only guy in all Creation who never gets into Heaven, thanks to of a bureaucratic mistake.

He'd have one helluva lawsuit, if only he had any memory of how badly he got ripped off.

Wonderfully Surprising!

[crystallburns · 8/10 · 14 December 2003]

I was watching it, randomly switching channels.

Opening scene is this introduction, that you read and it came across as a serious balls-to-the-wall drama. It gained my curiosity as to what kind of movie could be taking itself THIS seriously! Next scene is Montgomery boxing, playing a sax, and flying an airplane. It was funny, the banter was excellent, and I was laughing out loud.

10 mins later he dies!

The movie had so many 180' turns in it, but they all flow and keeps the viewers on their toes, at least it did me. I literally cried at times, and then the next scene had me hurting with laughter. The supporting cast, especially; Edward Everett Horton, James Gleason, and Evelyn Keyes were magnificent! This has now become one of my favorite movies! I give it a 9/10.

A comedy-romance with corruption and murder?

[SimonJack · 6/10 · 26 October 2016]

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.

Heaven Can't Wait

[dwtm · 8/10 · 28 November 2005]

During a flight in a personal airplane, a young boxer by the name of Joe Pendleton crashes into a wooded area - just within the first ten minutes of the beginning of Here Comes Mr. Jordan. Unfortunately, a heavenly escort prematurely plucks his body from the plane before the actual crash, thereby rendering Joe body-less, yet technically alive. Joe's body is promptly cremated, so his new friend, Mr. Jordan, promises Joe a new form and they begin a search for a replacement. The 1941 film centers around Joe Pendleton, an affable man and a capable boxer, who is on his way to a fight whenever he meets his untimely death. With the help of Mr. Jordan, Joe attempts to reverse his misfortune with a new body and a fresh opportunity to enter the title fight. Along the way, however, he meets the unexpected: a beautiful, independent, and charmingly belligerent woman that he falls hopelessly in love with. The film centers around Joe's struggle to realize his dream of winning a title fight, however, it is truly a romantic comedy with themes that tend to focus on love and the fulfillment of our dreams. The makers of the film use Joe's different forms to impart their view that love is a connection between two people, while the body is simply a shell and love is a faceless awareness that sees through physical realities. Don't be turned off by this seemingly heavy theme, because Joe's constant wisecracks and frequent squabbles with the man who took him from his body keep the film light and enjoyable. Despite the occasional sluggish scene, this timeless film offers enough clean-cut comedy and bearable romanticism to warrant a viewing. It deals with an important subject without taking any importance away from keeping the film light and fun to watch.

Fantasy Charmer

[ccthemovieman-1 · 7/10 · 2 October 2006]

This is another of those stories Hollywood has always loved to do: fun, "Heavan Can Wait"-type of films where people come back from the dead and are in other bodies or are friendly ghosts like "Topper" (or unfriendly). It almost helps to promote their reincarnation beliefs and other occult "theologies" that so many pagans love to promote.

Unlike a number of the others, this film is non-offensive. There are no anti-Christian sentiments, although real Biblical theology is never told in here. Also in Hollywood, all people go to heaven.

Anyway, everyone is fun to watch in here, particularly Claude Rains in the starring role. Also featured are two underrated actors of the day: Rita Johnson and James Gleason. The latter stole the film with his humor, as far as I was concerned. Bob Montgomery does a nice job at playing the dumb boxer.

It's a charming story and good lightweight entertainment.

ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FILMS OF THE 20TH CENTURY

[jemimafaith · 10/10 · 4 March 2002]

Here comes mr jordan is my all time favourite movie and being only fourteen and not having seen many movies i believe that this would be impossible for any other movie. sure there are others but the scenes, the acting, the effects, and the atmosphere of the movie are so beautiful i cry every time i see it. i hope one day they re-release it at the cinema because this sort of movie should be recognised for it's brilliance. leonard maltin gave it four out of four stars and being the respected critic he is i completely agree. i advise you to see it again and again for a classic such as here comes mr jordan should never die

jemima faith

Here Comes....a Rather Dull Film

[evanston_dad · 6/10 · 22 April 2013]

Watching "Here Comes Mr. Jordan," I had that experience that happens every so often when you're simply not responding to something the way seemingly every other person on earth has responded to the same thing.

I've only heard about what a classic film this is, up there with some of the best, so was disappointed to find that I was restless and somewhat bored with it. The assembly-line approach taken to filmmaking during the studio era could result in masterpieces, but it more often resulted in producing films like this -- a bit flat and uninspired, never offensively bad but rarely breathtakingly good. Robert Montgomery, James Gleason and Claude Rains hit their marks and are easy enough to watch, but little about this film made me laugh or otherwise feel much of anything at all.

Grade: B

Fantasy-piffle with shallow sentimentality

[moonspinner55 · 4/10 · 28 December 2006]

Extremely slight film-version of Harry Segall's play "Heaven Can Wait" stars Robert Montgomery as a boxer who receives an unexpected transfer of his soul by a novice angel who thought the boxer was to die in a plane accident. Exposition-heavy fantasy keeps stressing the same trivial points over and over, and Montgomery is rather tepid in the lead (the whole film depends upon his performance, but Montgomery hasn't that much charisma as an actor to carry the weight). Some sweet scenes, but the rest is innocuous. Remade by Warren Beatty (as "Heaven Can Wait") in 1978; there's something about this material that none of the writers were able to solve: the circumstances of the plot work against our sympathies for several supporting characters, who are ultimately left out of the happy ending. ** from ****

My favorite movie

[debbern49 · 6 July 2002]

This movie is my favorite film because of the comic and dramatic acting. Robert Montgomery is able to switch between Farnsworth and Joe Pendelton in a split second When he switches to Murdoch, you have a slight difference in speech and walk between Murdoch and Joe. The James Gleason scene in the gym with Montgomery is perfection. I love Claude Rains facial expressions and Edward Everett Horton's bumbling. The dectective's line (I believe he is William McBride, a great comic actor of the 1940's), "Where's the body" is one that I use as a joke with my husband often. The remakes of this film don't come close to the original. "Down to Earth", the one with Chris Rock, was just terrible. This plot has been borrowed often. It is the first film that every dealt with this subject and will remain a classic forever.

Switching bodies according to circumstances

[clanciai · 10/10 · 13 August 2023]

There are actually two murders in this film and one casualty, an enthusiastic pilot crashing with his plane while playing the saxophone, but that saxophone will follow him after his death wherever he goes, actually making this film the most wonderful saxophone film ever made. Just keep track of the saxophone and you will hang on, even if the owner himself finds the greatest difficulty in following his own path in pursuit of the saxophone. Fortunately there is Claude Rains as Mr. Jordan to steadfastly help him on his way, and he actually has the last word. Robert Montgomery is splendid in his bewildered role which constantly keeps confusing him, but even more confused will everyone be who tries to follow him. He is pronounced insane any number of times, while he desperately tries to sort things out and find his bearings in the terrible practical joke which destiny keeps playing with him, until he finally finds his definite bearings - with a beautiful girl, of course, Evelyn Keyes as lovely as ever. Edward Everett Horton is doing his best in following suit in the labyrinths of this destiny after life and back to life, while the music is purely romantic and adds an extra dimension of beauty to this utterly impossible but irresistible story, which you just have to accept for the glory of its inventiveness, wit, charm and sophistication. This is a film to enjoy forever.

Charming comedy/fantasy

[preppy-3 · 8/10 · 20 February 2004]

Boxer Joe Pendleton (Robert Montgomery) is all set to fight to become the Champion. Unfortunately he's in a plane crash and a collector (Edward Everett Horton) "takes" his soul to Heaven. But the collector acted too quickly...Joe WASN'T supposed to die! The Head Collector Mr. Jordan (Claude Rains) gets him the temporary body of Bruce Farnsworth--whose wife and secretary are trying to kill. And he falls in love with Bette Logan (Evelyn Keyes). How long will he be in Farnsworth---and will he want to leave and will he live?

I caught this on TV when I was a kid in the 1970s. I loved it! Soon after I saw the lousy 1978 remake "Heaven Can Wait" with Warren Beatty as Pendleton (he's no Montgomery). I just saw it again and I still love it!

The plot is pretty silly but the whole film is done with a very light touch and the cast pulls it off. Nobody seems to be taking it too seriously (which is good). Montgomery is very good in his role--if a little too over the top at times. Keyes is sweet and charming--she does wonders with the "good girl" role. Horton is very funny as one of the collectors and Rains is just fantastic as Mr. Jordan--a perfectly done performance (no surprise coming from Rains). More screen time with Jordan could have helped. But as it is it's just very good. I'm only giving it an 8--it's funny...but not enough. The jokes made me smile once in a while, but that's about it. A huge hit in it's day.

This (understandably) won two Academy Awards for Best Story and Screenplay. It was nominated for Best Picture, Actor, Supporting Actor, Director and Cinematography.

Worth seeing.

It's nice to break things up with an enjoyable and light comedy about death.

[davidmvining · 7/10 · 21 November 2019]

Here's one of those stories that has, almost inexplicably (like A Star is Born) been repeatedly remade by Hollywood over the years. This is, of course, the first adaptation of the stage play Heaven Can Wait. The movie, about a boxer who is whisked from his earthly body too soon in an apparent plan crash by an over-protective spirit and needs to find a way back into his life, doesn't really seem like the kind of story that would light the imaginations of enough people in Hollywood to want to remake it again and again, but here we are, only a few years out from Chris Rock's version.

Anyway, the movie's a fun interplay of mistaken identity, farce, and just enough genuine emotion towards the end to come together and work quite well. The conflict within out main character's (Joe's) head about whether to offer a quick hand to help someone by taking possession of a rich dead man's body or find the perfect body to continue his boxing career carries a lot of the comedy through the first half or so of the film. There's also his complete disregard for convention once Joe becomes this rich financier (Farnsworth) and his flippant attitude to things people around him consider important (he's got training to be done). Of course, his sudden infatuation with a pretty girl (Bette), whom he upends financial convention for, helps things along nicely.

The only reason I didn't really love the movie was because of its ending. In the final twenty minutes, there's a sudden emphasis on the current heavyweight boxing champion (Murdock) and some similarities of mind that he and our main character possess. Since we've never seen Murdock before (outside of a picture in a newspaper), we don't know him, and both his loss of life and the emotional kick from Mr. Jordan saying that Joe will fit well with him ends up falling flat. Joe loses his personality and becomes Murdock (which is an odd choice unto itself), and we do get redeemed with a nice moment between Murdock and Better as they see something in each other that neither can explain.

Aside from some holes created in its final act, though, the movie really is an amusing fantastical farce with witty performances from both Robert Montgomery and Claude Raines (as the titular character, Mr. Jordan). I probably see too much in those issues at the end that most won't notice, though. That's because I'm picky and unreasonable.

Original Is The Best

[DKosty123 · 8/10 · 9 September 2009]

Robert Montgomery & Claude Rains carry this film. There are several other good people in the cast but the main stars are the glue. The story here has been redone twice now, Chris Rock the latest & Heaven Can Wait earlier. Neither remake has the charm of this one.

The story here is one of the strengths. It relies on light comedy & romance plus situations to carry the film. They do so quite well as the actresses in this are not as well known now as the actors, & they are clearly in support. This film has had a recent restoration which pretty much has made it as originally released.

Claude Rains is an angel here, but he could play almost any role. It isn't too long after this that he is memorable in Casablanca. While it is obvious Rains worked hard in perfecting all the roles he played, he often brings them off making it look easy. In this case, he makes the angel role believable enough that you wonder if he might be there now, waiting for all of us when we go.

A very charming comedy

[byron-116 · 7/10 · 11 April 2020]

Here Comes Mr. Jordan is a very charming comedy that holds well to this day. Oscar nominated James Gleason is superb, as are veterans Edward Everett Horton and Donald MacBride supporting Rober Montgomery and Claudes Rains. This 1941 original version is so much better than the pretty good 1978 remake Heaven Can Wait with Warren Beatty

Watch Out for Overzealous Angels

[dglink · 8/10 · 22 January 2009]

Based on Harry Segall's play, "Heaven Can Wait," Alexander Hall's 1941 original film adaptation boasts some fine performances, although the overall effort is pale in comparison to Warren Beatty's 1978 update. Boxer Joe Pendleton's soul is prematurely pulled from his body by an overeager angel, played by Edward Everett Horton, who wanted to save him from the pain of impending death in a plane crash. When Mr. Jordan, an angelic corporate manager, realizes the mistake, he tries to compensate with a comparable body to replace Pendleton's, which has been cremated.

"Here Comes Mr. Jordan" falls in the supernatural genre that attempts to reassure viewers that the afterlife is comfortingly similar to the physical world. Robert Montgomery gives a fine performance as Pendleton, who is choosy about his replacement body, because he has aspirations to a boxing championship. When he tries out murdered millionaire Bruce Farnsworth's body, he becomes involved with a young woman in trouble, a scheming wife and secretary, and his incredulous boxing manager from the Pendleton days. Hall keeps the pacing brisk, and the film is a tight 94 minutes. Besides Montgomery, James Gleason is fine as the manager, and Horton plays the discretely coded gay character as well as ever. Claude Rains as Mr. Jordan is right for the role, although restrained. Unfortunately, for those familiar with "Heaven Can Wait," the Beatty remake, the roles of the wife and secretary are lackluster in comparison to the inspired turns by Dyan Cannon and Charles Grodin. Evelyn Keyes as Betty also suffers when compared to Julie Christie.

The general tone of "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" is more serious than that of its remake, and viewers may prefer the hilarity of Grodin and Cannon to the straight performances by Rita Johnson and John Emery in the original. However, the film's mood shift may owe to the differing historical periods. Perhaps a world on the verge of World War II was looking for reassurance that lost loved ones would live on, while viewers in the late 1970's approached the same subject matter as escapist romantic fancy. Either way, the story remains durable and entertaining, and both versions were showered with Oscar nominations. Take your pick, or, better yet, watch them both and judge for yourself.

Pleasant fantasy enhanced by Montgomery, Raines and Horton...

[Doylenf · 7/10 · 26 December 2006]

A romantic comedy/fantasy is one of the hardest things for any writer/director/producer to pull off with any degree of success, but somehow HERE COMES MR. JORDAN fell into the right hands and it is a remarkably good example of that genre.

ROBERT MONTGOMERY, an actor I was never particularly fond of, is at his best here as the rather dim-witted fighter who finds himself in the clouds talking to heavenly messengers when he's plucked from certain death in an airplane crash. It turns out he shouldn't have been taken to the other side by EDWARD EVERETT HORTON, who was new on the job and is chided by CLAUDE RAINS for being overeager to rescue Montgomery from the jaws of death. Rains decides the remedy is to find another human body for Montgomery to reside in--someone else who is on the point of death.

Sounds a bit like heavy-handed stuff for a comedy, but it works, thanks to a sparkling script that gives fun roles to Montgomery, Horton, Raines and, in particular, two other supporting characters--JAMES GLEASON as Montgomery's bewildered manager and DONALD MacBRIDE as an equally befuddled inspector confused by all the double talk from Gleason about the switching of bodies.

EVELYN KEYES, as a woman infatuated with Montgomery, is excellent, and RITA JOHNSON and JOHN EMERY do well in other supporting roles.

Delightful fantasy, not to be missed--but only if you can accept the highly improbable premise which some might find offensive.

At age 10, this movie was my first experience to great filmmaking.

[darrenburch-19817 · 10/10 · 24 July 2021]

It's a perfect film.

In 1972, I saw this Hollywood gem on a PBS channel on some late Saturday night, and fell in love with the magic of great films. After that, at the age of 10, I became a "Friend of Channel 8," which was Arizona's PBS home.

This movie was my first love in a vast treasure trove of great films, and as such it'll always have a special place. Thus, the perfect score may be more heartfelt as it is cerebrally based, but after multiple viewings I still consider it a perfect film.

He dies, he lives, he dies, he lives again

[helpless_dancer · 7/10 · 10 July 2002]

Very nicely done picture about a man who lives only for prize fighting. After dying his ghost is suddenly thrown into a quandary and must choose between going on as a pug in a stranger's body or staying with a woman he falls for completely. Many funny surprises come about as the deceased man is confusedly led around by spirit guides who attempt to locate a new body for his soul to reside in.

Underwritten

[alg11297 · 1/10 · 19 November 2018]

I was sure when I was watching this that the original story or script was alot more detailed. Maybe it was cut down for time. Farnsworth's wife and personal secretary as supposed to be having an affair but they have no connection in any scene. She seems to have no problem with Farnsworth seeing Miss Logan although she's supposedly married. The entire plot revolving "her father"s" stock was just stuck in to get her on the scene. You can't really understand why he's in jail and what the fraud was. The boxer's attraction to Miss Logan (did she have a first name) seems to be just on her looks. They don't talk enough to have a believeable relationship. Finally, Murdoch's body is taken over and now it lives. So where did Murdoch go? Not dead on the floor of the ring. And how could he box with a gun wound in him that no one notices? The movie had some good ideas but plot-wise it seems we were short shrifted. Although I usually like Claude Rains, in this movie he was giving us lessons in under-acting. Maybe Beatty had a good idea to try and remake it.