Heavenly Days (1944)
Directed by Howard Estabrook
Genres - Comedy |
Sub-Genres - Political Satire |
Release Date - Jan 1, 1944 (USA - Unknown), Oct 20, 1944 (USA) |
Run Time - 71 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
Heavenly Days was the last of three RKO Radio film vehicles for the popular radio duo of Fibber McGee and Molly (aka Jim and Marion Jordan). Unlike their first two films, which were cacophonous, plotless musical farces, this one actually has a coherent storyline and not a little "heart appeal." Self-styled expert on everything Fibber McGee takes it upon himself to leave the safe environs of Wistful Vista to go to Washington DC, intending to present himself as the "common man" before the US Congress. Naturally, Fibber's wife Molly goes along for the ride, if only to keep her husband from making a fool of himself. Fibber's actions are given credibility when pollster George Gallup (played by Don Douglas) selects the McGees as Mr. and Mrs. Average Man (or Person). While at large in DC, the McGees also become involved with a group of wide-eyed war orphans. The film's highlight is an impromptu musical interlude with Fibber, Molly, and a group of GIs, played by the King's Men Quartet (regulars on the Fibber McGee and Molly radio show). Perhaps because it took itself a bit too seriously, Heavenly Days failed to match the box-office success of RKO's earlier Fibber-and-Molly efforts, posting a loss of $205,000.
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Keywords
bureaucracy, government, advice, comedian, Congress, couple, help, husband, office, one-against-odds, politician, poll [survey], relative, Senate, war, wife, radio