intelearts I am a huge Heyworth fan - her dynamism, energy, joy, and smolder are all here in abundance - but you do feel she's bashing her head against a brick wall - the film's male stars are dull, the music is mostly misdirected, and it has moments that are toe-curling bad.However, if you just watch Heyworth's performance, and ignore the frankly horrible mess up on the screen then this is worth your time - at nearly 2 hours it pushes the trust of the most dedicated movie watcher - and it clearly is a star vehicle that was rushed together.Heyworth always, but always, gives of herself and that joie de vivre does leap off the screen massively, but if you're hoping for a good classic, musical with tunes you can hum and romance that will make your heart beat faster then, sorry, this won't be that one....

MrDungerreyMoat "Down to Earth" is a charming musical that showcases Rita Hayworth and her many talents to distinction. In this sequel of the classic "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" (1941), she plays the Greek muse Terpsichore (who could be a more natural choice for a goddess than Rita Hayworth?) who is infuriated that a jazzy, satirical stage musical based on the muses is being produced in New York City. She demands from Mr. Jordan (played by Roland Culver) to be sent down to earth to play her part under the guise of "helping" producer Danny Miller (played by Larry Parks). Her introduction to him is in a scrumptious sequence in which she sneaks into the chorus and completely upstages the star with a great dance routine, proving again Hayworth's singular talent of taking charge of the screen.Danny is initially excited that "Kitty Pendleton" will play the lead but then she becomes a nightmare, demanding script rewrites, and changes in costume and set design (prompting a memorable quip from James Gleason as her agent: "I think she musta went to college. You know how that'll ruin anybody.") . However, she seduces Danny, making him warm up to her ideas, changing the basic premise to one worshipping Terpsichore. The result is disastrous, a bizarre and self-important turkey that draws the ire of the audience and critics. The cast and crew unceremoniously dump Kitty and revert to the original. Mr. Jordan reveals to her just what Danny has riding in this show: a pact with a gangster in which he will relieve his debt of $20,000 (about $200,000 in 2010) with either a successful show of his life. Humbled, she goes back to Danny, begging to come back to the show, promising that she'll do it his way. He accepts, the show is necessarily a smash, and Kitty finally reveals her love to Danny. However, Mr. Jordan reappears, telling her that since her original mission of helping Danny is completed, she must come back Up. Once again a goddess and heartbroken, she yearns to know what will become of Danny. Mr. Jordan reveals to her what happened: Danny remained in love with "Kitty" and became a successful producer. When he dies and is waiting to board the aircraft, Future Terpsichore appears and he immediately understands; she boards the plane with him and it flies off. Present Terpsichore rejoices and the movie ends with a lovely shot of her dancing happily toward the camera.I believe some of the criticism of the film is unfair. Contrary to other opinions, the score (mostly presented as songs in the show) is surely serviceable and has two strong ballads: "Let's Stay Young Forever" and "They Can't Convince Me," sung admirably by Parks. Certainly, the movie is decidedly less profound and moving than the original film or its 1978 remake "Heaven Can Wait." Ironically, the movie is much better (though much lesser-known) than its infamous remake "Xanadu" (1980). Fluffy and silly, "Down to Earth" works well not really because of its musical numbers, but its wonderful mix of rollicking humor (amply supplied by James Gleason and Edward Everett Horton, who reprise their roles from the original film) and a sweet romance, good pacing, and the great talent of Rita Hayworth. Though she showcased herself well in acclaimed dramatic performances in "Gilda" (1946), "The Lady From Shanghai" (1947), and "Miss Sadie Thompson" (1954), she displays here a great comedic talent, able to transmit both righteous anger and pettiness.Fans of Rita, fantasies, and Classical-era musicals will enjoy this most dazzling concoction.

Zipz01 I just saw this film for the first time on TCM this week and was pleasantly surprised. I was attracted to it first because it was a musical and second for the mythical theme. The plot involves Terpsichore (Hayworth) and the muses coming to earth which made me think of the upcoming Broadway Musical version of the cult favorite "Xanadu". I had no idea going in that it is actually a sequel to one of my favorite films "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" which was remade as "Heaven Can Wait" in 1978 starring Warren Beatty and again in 2001 with Chris Rock. This latest version borrowed from this film and was titled "Down to Earth"! Look for James Gleason as Max Corkle and Edward Everett Horton as the fussy Messenger 7013, roles they created in the original film. By the way, there is another link to this film, the 1943 film "Heaven Can Wait" starring Gene Tierney and Don Ameche, but this film had nothing to do with "Here Comes Mr. Jordan."

hal-harris They did an interesting thing with the character names that tie this movie to another Alexander Hall directed movie, "Here Comes Mr. Jordan", which Warren Beatty remade as "Heaven can Wait". Actor James Gleason is in both the 1941 "Jodan" and in the 1947 "Down to Earth" and he has the same name in both pictures, Max Corkle. In "Down to Earth" they have to come up with a stage name for Rita Hayworth's character and her agent Gleason/Corkle suggests the name "Pendleton" for the boxer Joe Pendleton, who Gleason/Corkle says came out of nowhere to win a championship. In "Jordan" James Gleason was a boxing manager by the name of Max Corkle and his fighter's name was... you guessed it... Joe Pendleton, played by Robert Montgomery in the roll Warren Beaty would later play.