Solo il cielo lo sa

Heaven Only Knows from 1947 was a great movie with a beautiful message. It left a wonderful impression on me as a child. The story itself gave forth the importance of good over evil. Robert Cummings along with Brian Donlevy put forth great acting in this film. The actor who portrayed the Devil also left an impression on me. The idea of putting this rather religious message in the area of a western town, is unique. I keep looking to see if it is listed in the TV movie guides but never see it. I often wonder why some of those older, great, movies are never shown on TV considering the TV networks keep playing other older movies over and over again. Does anyone know how I can obtain a copy of this film? I have tried everywhere.

Like Allanph I saw this on TV when I was very small and I remember it as "Moantana Mike." It used to be on pretty frequently in the early days of television, as I remember, and my brother and I both loved it. I have been trying to tape it or buy it since videos became available, with no luck. I wish the powers that be would re-release it on video. It is a fond memory from a more innocent time. And it must be a great film because my brother and I both have the same strong desire to see it again. I am sure it is a classic, so why not treat it as such?

It's funny to read these notes on this movie. A definite play on Good and Evil and One of the things I remember from the film is Treason (Gerald Mohr) as either the devil or one of his evil ones, lighting a match and Mike (Bob Cummings) causing the flame to go out by looking at it! It was a running joke thru the whole film. I haven't seen this movie in over 40 years. I remember the ending as a tear jerker. I would love to get a copy of this film. It probably is one of many lost treasures like the old Lash Larue movies. Many of the older westerns have disappeared from TV . They don't even show up on the "classics" channels. Where have they gone to???

As all of the other commentators say, this is a really great one. It is Really sad that it isn't available on DVD or even VHS. Suffice it to say I too still remember it fondly more than 50 years later, and pine for it still. Why oh why cannot we find out who owns it, and is keeping it off the market. We fans need to blanket that firm (person) until they do release it. It is at least unfair, if not immoral, to keep it from us adoring public. We need to once again visit Pair-O-Dice before we go to our eternal reward.

Robert Cummings does an admirable job of entertaining us and at the same time making us believe that he really is an angel from heaven sent to get back into balance the Book of Life and the Book of Destiny which got "out of balance" when the saloon keeper Brian Donlevy was left out of the Book of Life ( a clerical error). Bet you didn't realize that, before computers, the angels up in heaven had to do their bookkeeping by hand, and keep their books, accounting-wise, in balance. Well, Robert Cummings comes to earth to correct the mistake, and thus in the end he saves not only Donlevy but the poor souls of this old western town. But us viewers forget all about the premise of the Book of Life and just sit back and enjoy the movie. You will too, once we get it released to the public where it belongs.

Montana Mike was the title by which I knew this movie. Black-and white, IIRC. I was but a youngster when it came to our third-rate theater in the Cheltenham district of Chicago.

The movie had a great impact on me as a nine year old and I recall the two main actors. Otherwise I would have never found this site. I recall only a few things about this movie. "Michael" showed a great interest in the likeness of the Ben Franklin ($100) bills and wanted one so he could take it back with him to show Ben. "Duke" takes this as a bribe. There was a shoot-out where an innocent life is lost. The name of Duke's joint was "Pair-o-Dice" (Paradise).

I too would surely like to get my hands on a copy. I am not a great watcher of TV so I missed many opportunities seeing it again.

P.S. It appears that my 'name' did not allow for the nested numbers. -Danof79th