Heaven Can Wait

Heaven Can Wait

Martha

Henry Van Cleve

Hugo Van Cleve

Mrs. Strable

His Excellency

Bertha Van Cleve

Albert Van Cleve

E.F. Strable

Mademoiselle

Randolph Van Cleve

Peggy Nash

James

Jack Van Cleve

Mrs. Edna Craig (uncredited)

Grandmother Van Cleve

Flogdell, Van Cleve's First Butler (uncredited)

Elevator Operator (uncredited)

Miss Ralston, Jack's Secretary (uncredited)

Policeman (uncredited)

Party Guest (uncredited)

Boy in Park (uncredited)

Albert's Father (uncredited)

Albert's Mother (uncredited)

Albert Van Cleve - Age 15

Mary, Age 9 (uncredited)

Jane Van Cleve, Jack's Wife

Doctor (uncredited)

Henry Van Cleve, as Baby

Nellie Brown - Registered Nurse (uncredited)

Henry Van Cleve - Age 15

Party Guest (uncredited)

Jasper - Strable's Butler (uncredited)

Day Nurse (uncredited)

Jack Van Cleve, as Child

Bediliah, Nurse in Park (uncredited)

Mrs. Cooper-Cooper (uncredited)

Smith, Van Cleve's Second Butler (uncredited)

Henry Van Cleve and Martha Strable were married on October 26, 1898, Henry's 26th birthday.

Gene Tierney recalled that during production, "Lubitsch was a tyrant on the set, the most demanding of directors. After one scene, which took from noon until five to get, I was almost in tears from listening to Lubitsch shout at me. The next day I sought him out, looked him in the eye, and said, 'Mr. Lubitsch, I'm willing to do my best but I just can't go on working on this picture if you're going to keep shouting at me.' 'I'm paid to shout at you', he bellowed. 'Yes', I said, 'and I'm paid to take it - but not enough.' After a tense pause, Lubitsch broke out laughing. From then on we got along famously." (From Gene Tierney's autobiography 'Self-Portrait'.)

Although Gene Tierney had difficulties with Lubitsch at the beginning of the shooting of this film, they later got along famously and Tierney went on to call Lubitsch "A Brilliant Director" in her 1985 interview in Houston.

In the breakfast scene just before Martha (Tierney) comes home to her parents Mr. Strable is served a large second helping of pancakes. Moments later when the camera gives him a medium shot, the stack is gone and the butler refills his plate.

Henry Van Cleve: Martha, if I hadn't met you I'd hate to think where I'd be right now.

Jack Van Cleve, Henry's Son: Come on, how old is she?

Henry Van Cleve: [voiceover] Here was a girl lying to her mother. Naturally that girl interested me at once.