The Heavenly Body (1944)

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Very surprised to see an unfavorable review of this on the front page. No, it's not a classic like some Orson Welles flick, but it is funny, and it is chock full of fine actors.Honestly, if this comes on some Saturday afternoon, and you're bored, you can't go wrong. You will laugh, and you will feel better.

I usually avoid watching movies that get less than a 3-star rating on the Turner Classic Movies channel but maybe I should reevaluate that policy because - being a big William Powell fan and an admirer of Hedy Lamarr - I decided to watch this movie, having never seen it. Glad I did. Yes, it's got its silly side - but so do many comedies. What's really significant is that it features William Powell at his comedic best, with many brilliant creative and hilarious scenes you just have to see and enjoy. Though this is a flawed movie, it is nonetheless engaging and highly entertaining due to Powell's ability to conjure up some of the most ingenious funny scenes ever. Though Hedy Lamarr is a ditz here and not necessarily the kind of character most men would want as a wife (being quixotic and ruled by astrologers), there are in fact women like this (I was married to one) and so even her part rings true to those of us who've "been there." So...silly but not so silly. Yet...really really funny! And you don't have to be a William Powell fan to like this one. Enjoy! (You will!)

William Powell does a lot ham acting and a bit of leering at The Heavenly Body of Hedy Lamarr, but in the end The Heavenly Body just ends up more silly than amusing.Poor Bill and Hedy they did two films together, neither of them would be at the top ten of either of their list of film credits. The first was Crossroads based on an incredibly silly premise about amnesia. And try as I might I could not wrap myself around the concept that a woman who was married to an astronomer would have the slightest faith of any kind in astrology.I also couldn't believe that Hedy would be led into it by neighbor Spring Byington who is playing one of her usual airhead characters. But when astronomer husband Powell who is excited over the discovery of a new comet on a collision course with the moon is not paying attention to her, she's gullible enough for anything.Which includes Byington's astrologer Fay Bainter who says that Lamarr will have a new man in her life shortly whom she will marry. When new air raid warden James Craig seems to fit the bill, Lamarr kind of forces the issue with a bit of flirting.Of course if you've got Hedy Lamarr flirting with you, Craig's no fool.Which leaves Powell in the predicament of weaning his wife off astrology and James Craig.The Heavenly Body does have a couple of good scenes, the highlight is Powell getting absolutely plastered on vodka and inviting the whole Russian tea room over in the spirit of the American-Soviet wartime alliance. Powell's character here is no drinker like Nick Charles, in fact he's a teetotaler and he's not used to holding his liquor.In the end though The Heavenly Body asks just a little too much of its stars to carry a weak story resting on a silly premise.

Obviously, the title of this movie described this actress perfectly. She had perfect chemistry with that thin man Powell. It was a different time and the country at war, but it brings back many memories of what went on during that period. ..the air raid wardens, the blackouts and Hedy waving at the window while Powell was telescoping her magnificence in that nightgown. A harmless and pleasant comedy.