One Foot in Heaven (1941): Cast & Plot
One Foot in Heaven is a 1941 drama directed by Irving Rapper, starring Fredric March as William Spence, Martha Scott and Elisabeth Fraser. It runs 1 hour 48 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 48m (108 min)
- Director
- Irving Rapper
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is One Foot in Heaven About?
The premise of One Foot in Heaven without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A warm‑hearted comedy follows an affable minister and his charming family as they relocate from one parish to the next. Each episode offers a glimpse into their daily lives, from humorous mishaps to heartfelt moments, highlighting the close‑knit bonds and optimism that endear them to audiences across the country.
One Foot in Heaven Themes & Keywords
· 27 tags- ontario
- minister
- silent movie theatre
- orchestral music score
- husband wife relationship
- family relationships
- false accusation
- california
- chauffeur
- baptism
- americana
- chaplain
+15 more Show fewer
- wealth
- iowa
- marriage
- william spence
- methodist
- world war one
- denver colorado
- church
- religion
- stratford ontario
- small town
- motion picture
- class distinction
- based on novel
- based on book
One Foot in Heaven Cast & Characters
Fredric March leads the cast as William Spence, with Martha Scott as Hope Morris Spence and Elisabeth Fraser as Eileen Spence at Age 17. Directed by Irving Rapper; 84 actors are credited in all.
- Director Irving Rapper
-
Fredric March as William Spence - Martha Scott as Hope Morris Spence
- Elisabeth Fraser as Eileen Spence at Age 17
- Frankie Thomas as Hartzell Spence
Also Starring in One Foot in Heaven
· 80 more- Carlotta Jelm Eileen Spence
- Nana Bryant Mrs. Morris
- Ernest Cossart John E. Morris
- Casey Johnson Frazer Spence
- Beulah Bondi Lydia Sandow
- Gene Lockhart Preston Thurston
- Laura Hope Crews Mrs. Preston Thurston
- Virginia Brissac Mrs. Jellison (uncredited)
- Vera Lewis Mrs. Simpson (uncredited)
- Sarah Edwards Mrs. Spicer (uncredited)
- Dorothy Vaughan Mrs. Ehrlich (uncredited)
- Tempe Pigott Mrs. Dibble (uncredited)
- Frank Reicher Board Member (uncredited)
- Charles Halton Haskins (uncredited)
- Olin Howland Train Station Master (uncredited)
- Moroni Olsen Dr. John Romer
Show all 84 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Gig Young First Groom Asking for Dog Licence (uncredited)
- Terry Moore Choir Member (uncredited)
- Charles Ferguson Townsman (uncredited)
- Harold Miller Second Clerk (uncredited)
- Jack Mower Man Behind Hope at Baptism (uncredited)
- Milton Kibbee Alf McAfee (uncredited)
- Fred Kelsey Train Conductor (uncredited)
- Jane Randolph Mother (uncredited)
- Frank Mayo Waiting Train Passenger (uncredited)
- Creighton Hale Church Usher (uncredited)
- Tom Wilson Fireman Angus (uncredited)
- Dick Elliott Casper Cullenbaugh (uncredited)
- Sol Gorss Panhandler (uncredited)
- Grant Mitchell Clayton Potter
- Jerome Cowan Dr. Horrigan
- Chester Conklin Man Crying During Baptism (uncredited)
- Hank Mann Sam (uncredited)
- Mary Field Lulu Digby (uncredited)
- George Nichols Prechin' Bill Hardy (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Harry Davenport Elias Samson
- William Gould Fire Chief (uncredited)
- Fern Emmett Woman Gossip (uncredited)
- Frank Marlowe Soldier (uncredited)
- Clara Blandick Sister Watkins (uncredited)
- Dorothy Adams Woman Behind Hope at Baptism (uncredited)
- Herbert Heywood Shopkeeper (uncredited)
- Walter Soderling Parishiner Wanting More Sin in Sermon (uncredited)
- Charles Drake Second Bridegroom (uncredited)
- Lottie Williams Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Thomas Martin Fire Watcher (uncredited)
- Hobart Bosworth Richard Hardy Case (uncredited)
- Virginia Sale Sister Sale at the Movie Theatre (uncredited)
- Harlan Briggs Mac MacFarland (uncredited)
- Roscoe Ates George Reynolds (uncredited)
- Payne B. Johnson School Boy (uncredited)
- Mira McKinney Movie Theatre Cashier (uncredited)
- Ruth Robinson Lydia's Maid (uncredited)
- Harry Lewis Young Soldier in Hospital (uncredited)
- Sam Rice Man Quieting Boys in Theater (uncredited)
- Sonny Bupp Boy (uncredited)
- Audra Lindley Mother (uncredited)
- Bob O'Connor Fire Watcher (uncredited)
- Leah Baird Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Reginald Simpson Candy Butcher (uncredited)
- Mickey Kuhn Boy (uncredited)
- Delos Jewkes Choir Member (uncredited)
- Gus Reed Choir Member (uncredited)
- Gertrude Hoffmann Elderly Woman (uncredited)
- Paula Trueman Miss Peabody (uncredited)
- Robert McKim Handsome Jack Pressley (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Ann Edmonds First Bride (uncredited)
- Freddie Mercer Choir Member (uncredited)
- Charlotte Treadway Ella Hodges (uncredited)
- Mary Brodel Second Bride (uncredited)
- Inez Gay Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Sandy Shaw Child (uncredited)
- Peter Caldwell Hartzell Spence
- Joyce Tucker Girl (uncredited)
- Jean Maddox First Mother (uncredited)
- Joan Anderson Child (uncredited)
- Bess Meyers Undetermined Secondary Role (uncredited)
- Jed Breslau Child (uncredited)
- Ted Crane Child (uncredited)
- Becky Mack Thurstons' Maid (uncredited)
One Foot in Heaven Plot Summary
What happens in One Foot in Heaven from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Stratford, Ontario, in 1904, William Spence, a medical student on the verge of becoming a doctor, receives “The Call” as he passes a Methodist church one Sunday. His bride-to-be, Hope Morris, accepts his decision to enter the ministry with wholehearted faith, despite the disappointment of her prominent and affluent parents.
Because Canada has no vacancies, he is posted as a circuit minister to a small town in rural Iowa, beginning a life of frequent moves, dingy parsonages, and a livelihood scraped from the poor boxes and the weddings he performs. Hope yearns for a decent parsonage and a sense of permanence for their children, but she uncomplainingly provides them a good life and a supportive home for Will.
Full summary
The whole story of One Foot in Heaven, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know One Foot in Heaven?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
What profession does William Spence initially pursue before answering 'The Call'?
One Foot in Heaven Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “Mit einem Fuß im Himmel” and “踏入天堂”.
- Also known as
-
- Mit einem Fuß im Himmel
- 踏入天堂
- Одной ногой в раю
- Com Um Pé no Céu
Seen One Foot in Heaven?
Movies Like One Foot in Heaven
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including One Foot Under, Heaven on Earth and This Side of Heaven.
One Foot in Heaven FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of One Foot in Heaven, each answered in a sentence.
How long is One Foot in Heaven?
One Foot in Heaven runs 1 hour 48 minutes (108 minutes).
When was One Foot in Heaven released?
One Foot in Heaven was released on November 1, 1941.
Who directed One Foot in Heaven?
One Foot in Heaven was directed by Irving Rapper.
More films by Irving Rapper Who is in the cast of One Foot in Heaven?
One Foot in Heaven stars Fredric March as William Spence, Martha Scott as Hope Morris Spence and Elisabeth Fraser as Eileen Spence at Age 17, among 84 credited actors.
Does One Foot in Heaven have a post-credit scene?
No. One Foot in Heaven has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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