Heaven Can Wait
1978 film by Warren Beatty and Buck Henry · Released June 28, 1978
Heaven Can Wait is a 1978 American sports fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Warren Beatty and Buck Henry about Joe Pendleton, a young man (played by Beatty) mistakenly taken to heaven by his guardian angel The Escort, and the complications involved in undoing the mistake after his earthly body has been cremated. It was the second of three film adaptations of Harry Segall's 1938 play of the same name. The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards, with Beatty becoming the first and to date only person to be nominated for producing (Best Picture), directing (Best Director with Henry), writing (Best Adapted Screenplay with May) and acting (Best Actor) for the same film, and the film won for Best Art Direction. The cast includes Beatty, Julie Christie and Jack Warden, all of whom had appeared in Shampoo (1975).
Cast ages at release (June 28, 1978)
- Julie Christie, as Betty Logan: 38
- James Mason, as Mr. Jordan: 69
- Jack Warden, as Max Corkle: 57
- Charles Grodin, as Tony Abbott: 43
- Dyan Cannon, as Julia Farnsworth: 41
- Warren Beatty, as Joe Pendleton: 41
- Buck Henry, as The Escort: 47
- Vincent Gardenia, as Krim: 58
- Joseph Maher, as Sisk: 44
- Hamilton Camp, as Bentley: 43
- Stephanie Faracy, as Corinne: 26
- Arthur Malet, as Everett: 50
- R. G. Armstrong, as General Manager: 61
- John Randolph, as Former Owner: 63
- Keene Curtis, as Oppenheim: 55
- Morgan Farley, as Middleton: 79
- William Sylvester, as Nuclear Reporter: 56
- Ed Peck, as Trainer: 61
- Dolph Sweet, as Head Coach: 57
- Deacon Jones: 39
- Frank Campanella, as Conway: 59