Angel on My Shoulder (1946)
The concept of a second chance at life has been played out in several films over the years, but this one must have been one of the early ones given when it was made. In this one, a gangster "Eddy Kegal" is released from prison only to get killed by his long term partner who has taken over the operation. Our lead spends some time in hell, then is approached by "Nick" with a chance to get even with his old double-crossing partner if he will ruin a judge for Nick in the process. Eddy comes back as the judge, but through ignorance and stubbornness, fouls up each attempt by Nick to actually ruin the judge. I'll delete my spoiler here, but simply say the story is the point of the film - it isn't preachy, but it is good at telling the story and developing Eddy as a character you care about.
It's 1946, so no boobs, and I'll have to say the acting is about a B+ along with the writing and direction in general. Not a great film, but a good one. If you liked other films of the same premise you ought to watch this one.
I first watched "Heaven Can Wait" with Warren Beatty in the early 80's as my first exposure to this theme. But this was based on a good guy simply taken early by a mistake on the part of an angel wanting to spare him the pain of an accident (from which he wasn't intended to die). So he was a good guy, put into the body of a millionaire who was murdered. This romantic comedy was bit more light hearted, and didn't get real deep into characters or motivations, the lead just got a millionaire's life and while he could get back into shape and be the QB he was supposed to be prior to his 'accident', there is some humor screwing with the two who bumped him off and a bit of romance thrown in. Ultimately, he's subject to an oops and gets another fair chance. This was (poorly) redone with Chris Rock in "Down to Earth" in 2001. Even the 1978 "Heaven Can Wait" wasn't an original in that it was a remake of the 1941 "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" with a boxer, rather than QB, as our poor soul taken too soon and looking for a new body. What I liked about "Angel on My Shoulder" is that he is guided by the Devil seeking to use him and his desire for revenge, as opposed to the others that allow a 'mistaken taken early' to inherit a truly deceased body. In Angel, the judge isn't dead, just ill for a bit when Eddy steps in. The others were faced with owning the body going forward and losing any memory of their previous life, whereas here Eddy never gets to stay, he is only 'alive' again to do certain (evil) things for himself and Nick before returning to hell. There is a lot more personal growth for Eddy than the others faced, and he allows us to see someone change who they are even after death. There's still some good humor in the verbal jabs between Eddy and the Devil, but what I really liked was this different approach and focus on Eddy - who he is and what motivates him, before his death and after. Not to spoil things, but the film closes with him blackmailing the Devil...how many movies can claim that?
Like I said, a good but not great film. If the premise interests you, give it a go. If not, you won't miss much. 7/10