Down to Earth (1947)

The most complimentary thing I can say about this film is about its casting. It’s clear that Director Alexander Hall and writer Harry Segall wanted to recapture the magic from their previous hit Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941). They brought back beloved character Max Corkle (James Gleason reprising his role), and Messenger 7013, played by Edward Everett Horton. I have not seen Here Comes Mr. Jordan but I understand that it was a great hit. In fact, it was James Gleason’s best known acting role (he was more known for his screenwriting and playwright work).

The story for Down to Earth (1947) is that the Muse Terpsichore (Rita Hayworth) hears a song that she feels casts the muses in a bad light. She learns the song and the musical it is to be performed in was created by Danny Miller (Larry Parks). In an act of revenge, she asks Mr. Jordan (Roland Culver) to help her get to Earth so that she can fix this catastrophic representation. I find it interesting that Claude Rains did not reprise his role as Mr. Jordan and instead made way for Roland Culver. It is possible that he found the role too similar. I also find it worth mentioning that while Rita Hayworth had her big break working with Fred Astaire in The Strawberry Blonde (1941), this film isn’t mentioned in her biography. Neither is it mentioned in Larry Park’s biography. I can only imagine they were as ashamed of being in it as I am to now say I have watched it.

Fun fact, Here Comes Mr. Jordan was based on the play by Harry Segall titled Heaven Can Wait (1938); its working title had been, It Was Like This. With this title the beginning and end of Down to Earth make slightly more sense, since the story is being retold to police officers by Max Corkle.

Down to Earth was later remade as Heaven Can Wait in 1978, also written by Segall. The core of Heaven Can Wait is more closely related to Here Comes Mr. Jordan that to Down to Earth. In Here Comes Mr. Jordan a boxer who is taken before his time is brought back for a second chance. In Heaven Can Wait a football player is taken before his time and is brought back as a millionaire. I do think that while Heaven Can Wait is called a remake of Down to Earth, it would more correctly be called a remake of Here Comes Mr. Jordan.

This film is only memorable in its ability to be a complete disaster. I give this movie a 1 out of 5. The story is awful, the acting likely reflects the story and is no fault of the actors. I don’t feel anyone “overacted” or intentionally made the film bad, I simply believe it is bad. The music is neither catchy nor memorable. In fact, when Terpsichore took offense, I couldn’t blame her. The one good thing I can say about it is the songs are on key in a time before autotune. For a better romantic comedy about supernatural entities coming to meddle in mortal affairs I refer you to Mr. Destiny (James Orr 1990).