JohnHowardReid Review of Back Door to Heaven

Back Door to Heaven (1939)

Not a perfect film, but interesting and, at times, moving!

[7/10 · 30 December 2013]

It came as something of a surprise to discover that this atmospheric noir movie was actually made in 1939. The film's Great Depression background is so convincingly realistic not only in the attitudes of the characters but in the very fiber of the movie itself, particularly in the scungy sets created by William Saulter (an art director I'd never heard of before) and the superbly atmospheric photography by that master of masters, Hal Mohr. As the central character, both Jimmy Lydon and Wallace Ford give outstanding performances, while Van Heflin plays a memorable early role as Ford's defense counsel, and director/producer William K. Howard makes his only on-screen appearance as the prosecutor. (Howard was also the author of the original story). For possibly the only time in his 125 credited screen and TV appearances, Stu Erwin plays a thoroughly despicable character. In a scene that occurs off-camera, Erwin (or his accomplice) shoots and kills the owner of a low class eatery during a bungled hold-up and then lets Ford (who wasn't even there during the shooting) share the blame! Maybe producer Howard ran out of money, because we don't actually see any of this action on-screen at all, nor do we hear Erwin's actual court testimony, all of which is a bit of a drawback! Instead, the film hastens into a sentimental school-house scene with Aline MacMahon, who is told that the old school will be demolished. Good riddance, I'd say, but the movie takes the opposite view! Available on an excellent Alpha DVD.