mike48128 I rate this movie a "7" only because Rita Hayworth is gorgeous in every scene; period. Every song in this musical is instantly forgettable, but Rita shines in every number. Her co-star is Larry Parks from "The Jolson Story" movie. A musical sequel to "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" shot in Technicolor! James Gleason and Edward Everett Horton reprise their roles but "Mr.Jordan" is played by someone else in a great silver wig! In most musicals, the storyline is dumb and the songs are great; reverse that here. Kind of a curio, as this exact-same "Muse comes down to Earth" premise was used in "Xanadu". (Olivia-Newton-John plays the same Muse with her name changed so people can pronounce it.) Cute movie. Bad musical.

MrDungerreyMoat "Down to Earth" is a charming musical that showcases Rita Hayworth and her many talents to distinction. In this sequel of the classic "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" (1941), she plays the Greek muse Terpsichore (who could be a more natural choice for a goddess than Rita Hayworth?) who is infuriated that a jazzy, satirical stage musical based on the muses is being produced in New York City. She demands from Mr. Jordan (played by Roland Culver) to be sent down to earth to play her part under the guise of "helping" producer Danny Miller (played by Larry Parks). Her introduction to him is in a scrumptious sequence in which she sneaks into the chorus and completely upstages the star with a great dance routine, proving again Hayworth's singular talent of taking charge of the screen.Danny is initially excited that "Kitty Pendleton" will play the lead but then she becomes a nightmare, demanding script rewrites, and changes in costume and set design (prompting a memorable quip from James Gleason as her agent: "I think she musta went to college. You know how that'll ruin anybody.") . However, she seduces Danny, making him warm up to her ideas, changing the basic premise to one worshipping Terpsichore. The result is disastrous, a bizarre and self-important turkey that draws the ire of the audience and critics. The cast and crew unceremoniously dump Kitty and revert to the original. Mr. Jordan reveals to her just what Danny has riding in this show: a pact with a gangster in which he will relieve his debt of $20,000 (about $200,000 in 2010) with either a successful show of his life. Humbled, she goes back to Danny, begging to come back to the show, promising that she'll do it his way. He accepts, the show is necessarily a smash, and Kitty finally reveals her love to Danny. However, Mr. Jordan reappears, telling her that since her original mission of helping Danny is completed, she must come back Up. Once again a goddess and heartbroken, she yearns to know what will become of Danny. Mr. Jordan reveals to her what happened: Danny remained in love with "Kitty" and became a successful producer. When he dies and is waiting to board the aircraft, Future Terpsichore appears and he immediately understands; she boards the plane with him and it flies off. Present Terpsichore rejoices and the movie ends with a lovely shot of her dancing happily toward the camera.I believe some of the criticism of the film is unfair. Contrary to other opinions, the score (mostly presented as songs in the show) is surely serviceable and has two strong ballads: "Let's Stay Young Forever" and "They Can't Convince Me," sung admirably by Parks. Certainly, the movie is decidedly less profound and moving than the original film or its 1978 remake "Heaven Can Wait." Ironically, the movie is much better (though much lesser-known) than its infamous remake "Xanadu" (1980). Fluffy and silly, "Down to Earth" works well not really because of its musical numbers, but its wonderful mix of rollicking humor (amply supplied by James Gleason and Edward Everett Horton, who reprise their roles from the original film) and a sweet romance, good pacing, and the great talent of Rita Hayworth. Though she showcased herself well in acclaimed dramatic performances in "Gilda" (1946), "The Lady From Shanghai" (1947), and "Miss Sadie Thompson" (1954), she displays here a great comedic talent, able to transmit both righteous anger and pettiness.Fans of Rita, fantasies, and Classical-era musicals will enjoy this most dazzling concoction.

hal-harris They did an interesting thing with the character names that tie this movie to another Alexander Hall directed movie, "Here Comes Mr. Jordan", which Warren Beatty remade as "Heaven can Wait". Actor James Gleason is in both the 1941 "Jodan" and in the 1947 "Down to Earth" and he has the same name in both pictures, Max Corkle. In "Down to Earth" they have to come up with a stage name for Rita Hayworth's character and her agent Gleason/Corkle suggests the name "Pendleton" for the boxer Joe Pendleton, who Gleason/Corkle says came out of nowhere to win a championship. In "Jordan" James Gleason was a boxing manager by the name of Max Corkle and his fighter's name was... you guessed it... Joe Pendleton, played by Robert Montgomery in the roll Warren Beaty would later play.

Mike-764 Danny Miller is producing a musical on Broadway, Swinging the Muses, about two war pilots who end up in the days of Greek mythology romanced by a man hungry Terpsichore, the Greek Goddess of song and dance. This portrayal upsets the real Terpsichore who decides to go down to earth and make the musical accurate. Enter once again Mr. Jordan and messenger 7013, to help her come to the land of mortals and into the play, where she gets the lead role easily (using the name of Kitty Pendleton). Terpsichore/Kitty and Danny have constant arguments over the way the musical is being presented, but Danny becomes so infatuated with Kitty that the musical, in a preview, is presented accurately, which when produced becomes an artistic and symphonic production, but bores the audience to sleep or an early exit. When Danny decides to do the musical the way it was intended to be, Kitty storms off the set and asks Mr. Jordan to return to heaven, but Mr. Jordan informs Kitty that Danny needs this play to succeed, since its being backed by a racketeer, Manion, who Danny owes $20,000 to in gambling losses, and if the show flops, Danny will be "rubbed out". Kitty then decides to return and make the show a success, even though she realizes she will have to return to heaven and lose Danny. The movie is good, but really lacks much of the charm of its predecessor, Here Comes Mr. Jordan. The film is a star vehicle for Hayworth, but she is very enchanting in the role. Parks wasn't romantic leading material, but has the talent to get by (still has his singing voice lip-synced). Culver's Mr. Jordan is less charming and a more serious version than Claude Rains' version, but his performance is still admirable. Horton and Gleason are the only ones reprising their roles from the original. The film's setback is that the musical numbers aren't that good and seem to last forever (the last one from the film is OK, but the two versions of the ancient Greek setting musical drag on for an eternity). Still a good film, but you may be lost or disinterested if you didn't watch Here Comes Mr. Jordan. Rating, 7.