"FROM HELL TO HEAVEN" (1933)

[rmichaelpyle]

Watched a really good film with Carole Lombard last night, "From Hell to Heaven", although it turned out to be really a genuine ensemble piece from 1933, and although Carole Lombard received top billing, and she was indeed a major component of the film, she was NOT the star. The stars were several: Carole Lombard and Sidney Blackmer (doing a fine job); David Manners (third billed) and Adrienne Ames; Jack Oakie (second billed, and soloing for this outing); Verna Hillie and James Eagles; Shirley Grey and Bradley Page; then there were Berton Churchill, Thomas Jackson (who held the film together, playing a cop), Clarence Muse, Samuel McDaniel, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Dennis O'Keefe and Rita LaRoy. Everything revolves around a horse race, and all are staying at the same hotel. Lives are to be saved, ruined, and even lost because of this race. Events move at the speed of lightning, and the resolutions are interesting to see happen. Not everything happens as you'd expect it, and quite frankly, although this was made in 1933, the resolutions are more like what would be because of the 1934 Breen code, which is definitely okay, because the writing had to be really creative to make it plausible. Everything was. I really liked this little gem, one I'd never heard of, and one I'd watch again soon.

[Midge]

Thanks for the review, R. Michael! Trivia note: Sam McDaniel was Hattie's brother.

[rmichaelpyle]

Jun 3, 2009 17:45:05 GMT -6 Midge said:

Thanks for the review, R. Michael! Trivia note: Sam McDaniel was Hattie's brother.

You're welcome. Just a side note. Hattie's sister Etta also was in many, many films. Sam actually entered the lists first in 1929, when he appeared in "Hallelujah!". Then came Hattie in 1932, then Etta in 1933. Sam was in over 200 films! That's about what Hattie and Etta appeared in combined.