After years of questioning why people fear him, Death takes on human form so he can mingle among the mortals and find an answer. However, events soon spiral out of control as he falls in love with the beautiful young Grazia, the only woman not afraid of him. As he falls in love with her, her father sees him for what he is and begs him to return to his duties. Death must decide whether or not to seek his own happiness or sacrifice it so that Grazia may live.
Directed by Mitchell Leisen
holiday
threat of death
based on play or musical
romance
unrequited love
grim reaper
mansion
car accident
attraction
pre-code
meaning of life
nobility
power of love
death personified
thrill seeker
wealthy family
supernatural being
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.4 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Fredric March
Prince Sirki
Evelyn Venable
Grazia
Guy Standing
Duke Lambert
Kent Taylor
Corrado
Katharine Alexander
Alda
Gail Patrick
Rhoda
Helen Westley
Stephanie
Kathleen Howard
Princess Maria
Henry Travers
Baron Cesarea
G.P. Huntley
Eric
Otto Hoffman
Fedele
Moroni Olsen
Cardinal De Valle (uncredited)
Crew
Mitchell Leisen
Director
Maxwell Anderson
Screenplay
John Leipold
Original Music Composer
Charles Lang
Director of Photography
Travis Banton
Costume Design
Edith Head
Costume Design
Popular Reviews
11 reviews
LueC
6.6★ · 09/03/25
I began this yearning for death from the seventh seal but by the end I actually liked this version of death. Fun concept but I feel like it needs to be told in a different medium.
I began this yearning for death from the seventh seal but by the end I actually liked this version of death. Fun concept but I feel like it needs to be told in a different medium.
Kristen
6.8★ · 01/12/25
It’s been far far too long since I’ve watched a Fredric March movie. This would’ve worked a bit more for me if it was a comedy but I liked it still.
If Death looks like Fredric with those dark under eye circles, I’m good to go now.
It’s been far far too long since I’ve watched a Fredric March movie. This would’ve worked a bit more for me if it was a comedy but I liked it still.
If Death looks like Fredric with those dark under eye circles, I’m good to go now.
Dhario Desousa
6.6★ · 01/01/25
A little slow at times but with a legitimately great, and touching, holiday. Love and death don't exist in opposition.
A little slow at times but with a legitimately great, and touching, holiday. Love and death don't exist in opposition.
Cami
8.0★ · 02/04/23
I adored this. I want to read the original play. I love Fredric March so much 🫶🏼
I adored this. I want to read the original play. I love Fredric March so much 🫶🏼
Adam
6.8★ · 07/07/21
I started but never finished this a while ago and I don’t know why! It’s solid! I think it’s a lot weirder than anyone is expecting. Weirder than the weirdo pitch: Fredric March is Death disguised as a foreign prince who falls in love with the model for the Columbia logo.
I started but never finished this a while ago and I don’t know why! It’s solid! I think it’s a lot weirder than anyone is expecting. Weirder than the weirdo pitch: Fredric March is Death disguised as a foreign prince who falls in love with the model for the Columbia logo.
