Squirrels to the Nuts!

Not one modern directer has the wit, sophistication or visual style that made Lubitsch master of comedies in and out of the bedroom. A silk negligee, a little leg and beefcake made his movies dance with charming amorous delights.

"Heaven Can Wait" is a typical frothy concoction directed by Lubitsch. A handsome American rouge, Don Ameche, falls in love with a good woman,Gene Tierney. The playboy slightly reforms and almost loses her but wins her heart again. He knocks at the Devil's gate because he has lived an amoral life and is willing to pay the full price. However, love is strong enough and Ameche earns a small spot near the pearly gates.

A pleasant diversion which in no way makes a BIG statement nor rubs a moral into the viewers face. Simple, fun and almost wholesome in a delightfully subversive way when the Ameche steals his cousin's betrothed and delivers his pleas about infidelities with weasel like sharpness. The performances by Ameche & Tierney are like milk chocolate bon bons to be slowly savored and appreciated.

Warren Beatty, an untalented womanizing hack recycled"Here Comes Mr. Jordan" and entitles his tripe "Heaven Can Wait"; a discretion to the Lubitsch legacy. Womanizing while an unattractive habit is forgivable, a remarkable dearth of talent is not. Pity the movie audiences of the 1960's & 1970's when he was considered superstar material.

For those that prefer European cads, no one tops Charles Boyer. He is France's best export since cheese. Lubitsch relies on Boyer's brooding lover image and pairs it with a naively sensible plumbing tomboy , Cluny Brown personified by Jennifer Jones.


Jennifer genuinely glows as she learns from Boyer that life is about Squirrels to the Nuts. It really can't be explained, go watch the movie.


That elusive magic and love that Lubitsch had for movie is apparent in every single frame. His films aren't hodgepodge scenes cut together to seem edgy and real but pearls strung together with the greatest care and skill.