Heaven Only Knows (1947)
Also released as Montana Mike, Heaven Only Knows is an offbeat western with fantasy overtones. Hard-bitten gambling boss Brian Donlevy rules his frontier community with brawn and bullets. To his dismay, Donlevy discovers that he has a guardian angel (Robert Cummings), who shows up in the guise of an Eastern tenderfoot. The angel has been sent from Above to save Donlevy's soul, and to that end encourages the one-time villain to squire a minister's daughter (Jorja Curtwright) rather than his usual dance-hall girls. Donlevy is also given tips on winning against his enemies without resorting to gunplay. The gambler finally redeems himself with Heaven by rescuing the angel from a lynch mob (how can you lynch an angel?) Heaven Only Knows deserves an "E" for Effort for bringing a fresh twist to the venerable western genre.
Director:
Albert S. Rogell
Writers:
Art Arthur, Rowland Leigh.
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Robert Cummings as Michael, aka Mike |
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Brian Donlevy as Adam 'Duke' Byron |
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Marjorie Reynolds as Ginger 'The Copper Queen' |
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Jorja Curtright as Drusilla Wainwright |
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Bill Goodwin as Bill Plumber |
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John Litel as Reverend Wainwright |
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Stuart Erwin as Sheriff Matt Bodine |
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Gerald Mohr as Treason |
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Edgar Kennedy as Judd |
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Lurene Tuttle as Mrs. O'Donnell |
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Peter Miles as Speck O'Donnell |
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Will Orleans as Kansas City Kid (as Will Orlean) |
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Ray Bennett as Lawyer Creel |
| Directing | Albert S. Rogell | Director |
| Writing | Art Arthur | Screenplay |
| Writing | Rowland Leigh | Screenplay |
| Crew | Ernest Haycox | treatment |
| Writing | Aubrey Wisberg | Story |
