Heaven Can Wait

An aged Henry Van Cleve arrives at the opulent afterlife reception area, certain he does not belong. He is personally greeted by His Excellency and asked to explain his life. To determine his worthiness, Henry begins telling the story of his dissolute years.

Henry is born in Manhattan on October 25, 1872, the spoiled only child of Randolph and Bertha. His paternal grandmother is doting, while his grandfather Hugo Van Cleve understands him better than most. The family dynamics set the stage for Henry's charm and restlessness.

Growing up in privilege, Henry remains somewhat idle and enamored of attractive showgirls. His naive yet worldly family circle shapes his view of romance and risk. This upbringing seeds the impulse he will follow for years to come.

Henry overhears a beautiful woman lying to her mother on a public telephone and tailors his actions to follow her into Brentano's bookstore. He pretends to be an employee to get closer, only to discover she is already engaged. When the deception is revealed, she departs, leaving Henry intrigued by what he has glimpsed.

Cousin Albert introduces Martha, whom Henry discovers is the mystery woman. Martha is the fiancée of Albert and entangled with her feuding parents, the Strables. Henry convinces her to elope with him, shocking the family, but Grandpa Van Cleve supports them and they are eventually welcomed back.

Henry and Martha marry and soon become proud parents of a son. Their union enjoys moments of happiness but is tested by Henry's appetite for other women. The early years of their marriage are marked by public scrutiny and private desire.

On the eve of their tenth anniversary, Martha suspects Henry's ongoing dalliances and returns to her parents. Henry and Grandpa follow, and Henry secretly visits the Strable house to beg forgiveness and urges Martha to elope again, a reconciliation that delights Grandpa Van Cleve.

Fifteen years after the elopement, Henry meets chorus girl Peggy Nash in her dressing room. His meeting with her appears to be an attempt to push her away from his son Jack, but Peggy uncovers Henry's true identity and he buys her silence for $25,000.

Jack reveals that he was glad to have Peggy leave so easily, indicating a pragmatic attitude toward his father's indiscretions. The younger generation treats Henry's lifestyle with a wry, amused detachment.

Martha dies shortly after their 25th anniversary, ending the marriage's long arc of romance and scandal. Henry resumes an active social life, much to the amusement of his son and peers.

On October 26, 1942, the day after his 70th birthday, Henry dies under the care of a beautiful nurse. A dream had portended this moment, underscoring the fate and the frame of the story.

After hearing Henry's story, His Excellency denies him entry and suggests he try the 'other place'. Martha and Henry's grandfather wait there, hinting that a small room vacant in the annex might finally be ready for him.