Heaven Can Wait (1943)

When playboy Don Ameche arrives at the entrance to Hell, Satan has him recount the sordid details of his life to prove his worthiness. He enjoyed a lifelong love with his wife Gene Tierney with the expected ups and downs that occur in many relationships. His one big crime in life seems to be carrying on affairs throughout his marriage, though what these ‘affairs’ actually consist of doesn’t get explained beyond a bracelet bought for another woman. The lack of context behind his ‘bad’ ways makes the Hell premise nonsensical. Ameche is occasionally charming, the leads have a sweet meet-cute that leads to an elopement, and there’s some appealing supporting work done by Charles Coburn and Marjorie Main, but the rest just drags with me still wondering how he ended up in Hell in he first place.  

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture; Best Director; Best Cinematography, Color