Man Alive (1945)
A classic screwball comedy where a husband presumed dead returns to haunt his wife and her new beau.
Man Alive - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1945
- Directed by: Ray Enright
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 10m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 16, 1945 (United States - NR)
- Production Companies: RKO Radio Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Man Alive - Plot
A reportedly dead man haunts his wife and her boyfriend.
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Man Alive - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ray Enright
Main Cast
- Pat O'Brien
- Adolphe Menjou
- Ellen Drew
- Rudy Vallee
- Fortunio Bonanova
- Joseph Crehan
- Jonathan Hale
- Minna Gombell
- Jason Robards Sr.
- Jack Norton
Writers
- John Tucker Battle
- Edwin Blum
- Jerome Cady
Man Alive - FAQs
What is Man Alive (1945) about?
Man Alive follows a husband presumed dead who returns to haunt his wife and her new boyfriend. The film leans into screwball comedy territory, mixing mistaken identity, domestic chaos, and ghostly mischief for plenty of laughs. It's a breezy, lighthearted romp from Hollywood's golden comedy era.
Is Man Alive based on a true story?
No, Man Alive is not based on a true story. It's an original screwball comedy written by John Tucker Battle, Edwin Blum, and Jerome Cady, crafted purely for entertainment. The premise of a "dead" husband returning to stir up domestic trouble is a classic comedic invention of the era.
Who are the main actors in Man Alive?
The film stars Pat O'Brien as the supposedly deceased Speed McBride, with Adolphe Menjou playing the charming Kismet and Ellen Drew as Connie McBride. Rudy Vallee also appears as Gordon Tolliver, rounding out a cast full of familiar faces from classic Hollywood.
Where can you watch Man Alive online?
You can check current streaming availability for Man Alive on JustWatch, which tracks where the film is available to rent, buy, or stream in your region. Availability can vary over time, so it's worth checking for the latest options.
Who directed Man Alive and what else did he make?
Ray Enright directed Man Alive. A prolific Hollywood journeyman, Enright helmed dozens of films across multiple genres throughout the 1930s and 1940s, working frequently at Warner Bros. and RKO. He was known for keeping productions brisk and entertaining, qualities that suit Man Alive perfectly.
What is the tagline for Man Alive?
The film's tagline is "A Super-Natural for laughs!" — a playful twist on the word "supernatural" that neatly captures the movie's comic premise. It signals right away that this is a ghost-adjacent comedy built entirely around fun rather than frights.
How long is Man Alive and when was it released?
Man Alive runs a tight 70 minutes — a perfectly compact runtime for a screwball comedy. It was released on November 16, 1945, in the United States, arriving near the tail end of Hollywood's golden age of fast-paced, witty domestic comedies.
What are some movies similar to Man Alive?
If you enjoy Man Alive, you might also love Arsenic and Old Lace (1944), a classic dark comedy from the same era, or The 'Burbs (1989) for its suburban chaos energy. Good Neighbor Sam (1964) and Fun with Dick and Jane (1977) also share that same spirit of domestic comedic mayhem.
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