For Heaven's Sake

"For Heaven's Sake" is a most unusual movie....far different than the typical movie of the era. Clifton Webb and Edmund Gwenn play angels whose job it is to find parents for children waiting to be born. One of the unborn kids (Gigi Perreau) is a problem case for Webb's character...she insists on being born to a power couple from Broadway (Bob Cummings and Joan Bennett). But these people are too self-absorbed and career-oriented to be parents...but the child refuses to give up on the notion that they'll one day be her parents. In frustration, eventually Charles (Webb) takes human form and decides to deal with the couple directly. He poses as 'Slim'...a Texan who is quite stereotypical. And, over time, he REALLY comes to like being human...with all its vices as well.

The notion of seeing Clifton Webb playing a rich Texan is strange to say the least! He usually was the embodiment of sophistication and breeding and not the type to wear bolo ties and talk about life on a ranch! Strange casting indeed!

So is it any good? Well, if you love Clifton Webb, you'll like the film. Even though it's one of his weaker films, he himself is quite nice in this against type role. In fact, because so much of the focus of the film is of him and his performance, the movie really doesn't give most of the rest of the cast anything to do other than be there for Webb. This isn't so much a criticism...just an observation. Additionally, I loved the special effects at the beginning of the picture...they were amazing for 1950. However, the film itself is very, very weird...so much so that I guarantee that many folks will give up on it before it's complete.

For Heaven's Sake has a number of witty lines and an interesting premise. If you charted this movie you would see a dip into sentimentality every time Edmund Gwenn shows up. He's such a joke killer in this film. Luckily, he doesn't show up too often. Robert Cummings, never an outstanding presence, turns in a forgettable performance as the theatrical husband and the proximity of his mediocrity somehow manages to suck the life out of the wife, played by Joan Bennett who is usually better than she comes across here. Clifton Webb, sans mustache, is a hoot. In my favorite scene he plays bebop on the harp. It's worth sitting through the whole film just to see that scene.

Angels Clifton Webb and Edmund Gwenn are tasked with bringing an unborn (not even conceived yet!) child into the world by getting a theatrical couple (Robert Cummings, Joan Bennett) with a rocky marriage to have a baby. Webb hatches a plan to take human form in order to better accomplish this task. But life as a human proves to be a distraction for him and Gwenn has to intervene.

Webb is the star of the show, particularly as a Gary Cooper-inspired cowboy character. If you're a fan of Webb's you have to see this. Cummings and Bennett are fine, if a bit dull. Gwenn is likable as ever. Joan Blondell adds her usual brand of zing to things. Gigi Perreau is cute playing the would-be daughter and Tommy Rettig from Lassie is adorable in a small part. Jack La Rue is fun as an actor who's played one too many gangster parts. Loses momentum midway through but is still enjoyable. Old-fashioned ideas such as having a baby will save a troubled marriage will induce eye rolls for many viewers today, I'm sure. But it's all well-meaning and good-natured. Not for the cynics among us. Sweet, charming, and funny.

When Clifton Webb says this, he is referring to cowboy boots. In this exceptionally peculiar movie, he is an angel. So is Edmund Gwenn. Gigi Perreau and Tommy Rettig are also, though they are angels of a different, rather mawkish, sort.

When Webb utters this comment, he is pretending to be a Texan and an angel of a different sort: a theatrical angel. You see, little Gigi wants to be born as a human child (as does little Tommy.) Gigi has chosen her prospective parents: Robert Cummings and Joan Bennett. (Does this seem to anyone else like an unlikely match?) They are a theatrical couple -- he a director, she a star. They live in a chic Manhattan duplex. Cummings is urbane and Bennett looks luscious.

There are in-jokes about pets named Alfred and Lynn and tossed-off comments about Arlene and Martin. It has a swanky style.

Webb is saddled (no pun intended) with a highly unflattering hair style when he plays the Texas millionaire. He gets top billing but for the most part his considerable talents are wasted. OH! And he falls for the as always delightful, here tanned and rather plump Joan Blondell. She is playing a famous playwright.

The combination of the cynical story of the selfish theatrical people with the icky concept of angels waiting to be born as children makes for a fascinatingly strange concoction.

Utterly charming comedy with Clifton Webb and Edmund Gwenn delightful as a pair of guardian angels tasked with getting a little girl born to a self absorbed but good hearted couple.

Joan Bennett comes across well as the prospective mother, a warm presence this film came along just as she was segueing from her period as a film noir chippy to character and mother roles. Joan Blondell is great fun as a flashy screenwriter injecting her special brand of zip whenever she's on screen. Robert Cummings is bland as the father to be but he fades into the background and doesn't hurt the picture.

As enjoyable as the two Joans are this is really Clifton's show and he makes the most of it especially after he temporarily returns to earth in human form and has many misadventures. A sweet, feel good film in the best sense of that phrase.