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One Foot in Heaven

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One Foot in Heaven
original promo poster
Directed byIrving Rapper
Written byHartzell Spence (book)
Screenplay byCasey Robinson
Produced byIrving Rapper
StarringFredric March
Martha Scott
Beulah Bondi
Gene Lockhart
CinematographyCharles Rosher
Edited byWarren Low
Music byMax Steiner
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release dateOctober 2, 1941 (1941-10-02)
Running time108 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

One Foot in Heaven is a 1941 American biographical film starring Fredric March, Martha Scott, Beulah Bondi, Gene Lockhart and Elisabeth Fraser.

The movie was adapted by Casey Robinson from the autobiography by Hartzell Spence. It was directed by Irving Rapper.

It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.


Plot

The film follows the life of minister William Spence (Fredric March) and his family and the various difficulties and people they encounter as they move from parish to parish through the first half of the 20th century. The constant moves prevent the children from developing relationships, which they resent, while the Reverend is just as upset by what he sees as the growing immorality of the 20th Century. As the film progresses Spence’s rigidness, which causes difficulties with both his family and his parishioners is gradually softened, which allows Minister Spence to grow to appreciate the life of a younger generation and how he needs to minister to people, and not just going through rituals and customs. This transition is highlighted in a series of scenes in which Reverend Spence has been preaching against the evils of the American Cinema. He finds out his son (the author of the biography) has been sneaking out to go to the movies, so he agrees to go with his son to view a film. During the film, Spence becomes attracted to the moral theme of the film, and ends up cheering along with the rest of the audience. His next sermon is based on the moral lesson from the film.

Cast

Reception

The film was received quite warmly both theatrically and critically, the New York Times calling it "a Fine and Human Story of a Minister's Life".

Notes

Olivia de Havilland was originally scheduled for the role of Hope Spence, but was moved over to star opposite Errol Flynn in They Died With Their Boots On.

Raymond Massey was Hartzell Spence's choice to play his father, while his mother preferred Fredric March. The studio's decision to cast March was done independently of the family's wishes.

The Reverend Norman Vincent Peale was hired as technical advisor on the film.

The film which Spence goes to see with Hartzell is William S. Hart's 1917 Western, "The Silent Man". At the Hollywood premiere of the film, Hart was a guest of honor.

In an uncredited roll, Gig Young has one of his first on-screen performances as a Groom asking for a dog license.


References

  1. http://www.amazon.com/Foot-Heaven-Life-Practical-Parson/dp/B000OO3OAA/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387717765&sr=1-1
  2. http://articles.latimes.com/2001/may/28/local/me-3661
  3. "The 14th Academy Awards".
  4. "The New York Times".
  5. "Variety".
  6. "Turner Classic Movies".
  7. "Turner Classic Movies".
  8. "Turner Classic Movies".
  9. "Turner Classic Movies".
  10. "TV Guide".

External links

Films directed by Irving Rapper
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