Rage in Heaven (1941) from Warner Archive
One of the reasons I love classic film is the extensive number of “deep tracks”– those little hidden gems waiting to be discovered and shared. Alright, so maybe not all deep tracks are “gems”, but it’s still loads of fun to discover new-to-me old movies. A few years ago during a Robert Montgomery marathon on TCM, I managed to catch the strange psychological thriller Rage in Heaven. Released by MGM in 1941, and directed by W.S. “One-Take Woody” Van Dyke, Rage in Heaven stars Montgomery, the charming George Sanders, and the young, delightfully fresh-faced Ingrid Bergman. Discovered by David O. Selznick after seeing her performance in the Swedish film Intermezzo (1936), Bergman was immediately signed to a contract. She made her Hollywood debut in 1939 with the remake Intermezzo: A Love Story, with Leslie Howard. Bergman instantly won the affections of American moviegoers. And although her iconic role in the romantic classic Casablanca was three years away, Bergman quickly established herself as a Hollywood mainstay.
Robert Montgomery is Philip Monrell, heir to a British steel magnate. He’s also completely insane. After escaping a mental institution in France, Philip reunites with his best friend, or more accurately his best “frenemy”, Ward Andrews (George Sanders). Ward is unaware of Philip’s mental illness and led to believe that Philip has been on holiday in “the wilds of Africa” (imagine that line in Sanders’ distinctive voice, paired with an endearing “old boy” for good measure). The two friends travel to Philip’s home to visit his mother, who has been ill. While her son was away, Mrs. Monrell (Lucile Watson) employed Stella Bergen (Ingrid Bergman) to act as a secretary and companion. Upon their arrival, Philip and Ward are greeted by the luminous Stella. Both men are immediately struck by her beauty and innocence. There is an instant connection between Ward and Stella, causing Philip’s deeply rooted jealousy of Ward to slowly rear its head.
While Ward is called away for work, Philip aggressively courts Stella in an attempt to win her affections, and ultimately her hand in marriage. Although he succeeds in both, Philip’s growing paranoia that Ward will take Stella away from him begins to manifest into full-blown psychotic obsession. Once Ward returns to England, Philip concocts a series of elaborate situations where Ward and Stella are alone, in an attempt to catch them in an adulterous act. All of Ward and Stella’s interactions are entirely innocent, but Philip’s psychosis seriously impedes his judgment. Obviously. His perpetual mistrust torments Stella, and she seeks comfort with Ward. This only fuels Philip’s neurotic belief that Stella has been unfaithful from the start. Philip’s obsession reaches a disturbing climax, and Ward and Stella fear for their love of one another…and their lives.
Rage in Heaven is not a top-notch film, but I place some of the blame on the confinements of the Production Code, low budget, and troubled production. Although the story suffers, the performances from Montgomery, Bergman, and Sanders make up for the inadequacies. According to the esteemed Kim Morgan at Sunset Gun, Montgomery unintentionally gives a brilliantly nuanced performance as the psychotic Philip Monrell:
Reportedly, Montgomery didn’t want to make the movie, he wanted a break or vacation from his MGM contract but was forced into the role. In retaliation he delivered his lines as flat as possible within this super melodramatic milieu. Well, his angry decision worked, and he’s just so strange that we utterly believe this millionaire is a suicidal madman, one step away from the loony bin he left at the beginning of the movie.
George Sanders is superb as the kind-hearted Ward Andrews. Known more for playing a cad in films like Rebecca and All About Eve, Sanders is delightful as romantic lead. Ingrid Bergman’s seemingly effortless and natural acting style, which we all know and love, was apparent even in those early performances. Although their pairing seems odd, Bergman and Sanders make a wonderful on-screen couple.
As with other Warner Archive titles, Rage in Heaven is a manufactured on demand (MOD) disc with limited special features. The film is remastered from the best available source material. The video transfer and audio track are quite good. Rage in Heaven is a nice addition to your home library, if only to round out your “George Sanders as a lover” film collection.
Full disclosure: Sittin’ on a Backyard Fence received a copy of Rage in Heaven directly from Warner Archive.
This review is part of the 2012 TCM Summer Under the Stars Blogathon co-hosted by my friend and fellow blogger Michael Nazarewycz of ScribeHard on Film.
Wow – it’s hard to imagine George Saunders as a romantic lead! My curiosity is really piqued. Thanks for recommending!
This has left me wanting more romantic George Sanders!
Thanks for the comment.
Great post! Always good to read about stars in ‘lesser-known’ films.
Thanks, Joel!
Sounds really good and now I am kicking myself for not recording it this morning, especially since I enjoy the 3 main actors in it. Oh well I will look out for it again.
It airs on TCM every once in a while. And you could always snag it from Warner Archive when they have one of their killer sales.
I’m not a big Robert Montgomery fan – for the most part, I think there’s just a little too much affectation in his performances, except for THEY WERE EXPENDABLE – but this sounds like an interesting movie, and I will try to catch up with this one of these days. Nice write-up, though I do have one quibble; I never really thought of George Sanders’ character in FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT as a “cad”, I thought he was actually a good guy.
Re: George Sanders–
You’re absolutely right. I guess I was thinking about his character being a bit of a smart ass, but you’re right– Ffolliott is in a better class of men than Jack Favell and Addison DeWitt. And far from a cad.
Thanks for stopping by!
I love this movie as well. Sanders & Bergman really do make a believable couple. Too bad after this, Sanders rarely played such a romantic character & was relegated to playing fantastic supporting roles. Good review.
They really do! As much as I love smarmy George Sanders, his Ward Andrews makes my heart skip a couple of beats…old boy.