Energies. No such thing as a coincidence. Everything is connected, via universal consciousness - string theory - quantum field - ancient wisdoms. Infinite love and gratitude.
Did Beyond Tomorrow influence Frank Capra's iconic It's a Wonderful Life? It's possible. This modest "B" picture touches on similar themes: Christmas, the afterlife, celestial fantasy, and a darker subtext. However, the comparison ends there, as A. Edward Sutherland's film ultimately devolves into a tale of clichéd antagonists and overwrought sentimentality.
That said, the film's inciting incident stands out as one of the more inventive plot devices in cinematic history, serving as a clever springboard for the narrative.
There are no major stars in Beyond Tomorrow-only seasoned character actors who are given featured billing. The central trio comprises three older, middle-aged engineers who live and work together: George Mellon (Harry Carey), a man haunted by a dark past involving kickbacks and a fatal construction accident for which he was acquitted; Allan Chadwick (C. Aubrey Smith), a dignified Brit with a patriotic streak; and Michael O'Brien (Charles Winninger), the most jovial of the group, who hands out Christmas presents and lets the firm's employees leave early for the holiday.
The three share their home with Madam Tanya (Maria Ouspenskaya), a Russian expatriate and former aristocrat of Tsarist Russia. Their Christmas celebration takes an unexpected turn when two invited guests fail to show up. Michael devises an intriguing plan: he tosses wallets containing $10 and a business card for each engineer out the window, hoping a good Samaritan will return them. It's a whimsical act of social experimentation-testing the morality of strangers-and it works. The wallets bring together two kind-hearted individuals: James Houston (Richard Carlson), a Texan with a talent for singing, and Jean Lawrence (Jean Parker), a schoolteacher for underprivileged children.
From there, the film introduces a darker, more supernatural element when the three engineers die in a plane crash and return as ghosts. While James and Jean fall in love, their budding relationship is jeopardized when James is drawn into the orbit of Arlene Terry (Helen Vinson), a seductive and manipulative singer with a murky past. Her jealous, alcoholic husband soon emerges as a violent threat, setting up a dramatic confrontation.
Meanwhile, the celestial realm deliberates the fates of the deceased engineers. George, haunted by his past sins, resigns himself to damnation but ultimately earns redemption. Allan is reunited with his son, who died in the war. Michael, ever selfless, is willing to remain in limbo to warn James of his impending danger. His perseverance eventually pays off, ensuring James's survival and earning Michael his place in heaven.
Despite its intriguing premise, the film falters in its execution. Unlike the ghosts in Ghost (1990), who directly impact the physical world, the engineers' influence is minimal, leaving their presence at the climax underwhelming. The predictable resolution-James miraculously surviving an operation-lacks suspense, and both he and Jean are flat characters, reduced to likable but unremarkable archetypes.
While Beyond Tomorrow offers a clever setup and an interesting mix of celestial fantasy and earthly drama, it ultimately succumbs to the limitations of its B-movie status. The romantic subplot is conventional, and the antagonistic forces feel uninspired. What could have been a thought-provoking exploration of morality and redemption instead becomes a sentimental melodrama with fleeting moments of originality.
This film is lovely, never heard of it, thank you so much for offering it to us, Celia!
Wishing you all the best, in great thanks for all you share with us.
And by the way, I rarely know what day it is without the defining weekday of school or work, and who cares? It doesn't matter. And it's actually pretty funny.
Seems the actual title is
Beyond Tomorrow.🤓
How extraordinary I have just watched it on Talking Pictures!
Energies. No such thing as a coincidence. Everything is connected, via universal consciousness - string theory - quantum field - ancient wisdoms. Infinite love and gratitude.
My review on IMDB:
Beyond Tomorrow (1940)
5/10
A Poor Man's 'It's a Wonderful Life'
9 January 2025
Warning: Spoilers
Did Beyond Tomorrow influence Frank Capra's iconic It's a Wonderful Life? It's possible. This modest "B" picture touches on similar themes: Christmas, the afterlife, celestial fantasy, and a darker subtext. However, the comparison ends there, as A. Edward Sutherland's film ultimately devolves into a tale of clichéd antagonists and overwrought sentimentality.
That said, the film's inciting incident stands out as one of the more inventive plot devices in cinematic history, serving as a clever springboard for the narrative.
There are no major stars in Beyond Tomorrow-only seasoned character actors who are given featured billing. The central trio comprises three older, middle-aged engineers who live and work together: George Mellon (Harry Carey), a man haunted by a dark past involving kickbacks and a fatal construction accident for which he was acquitted; Allan Chadwick (C. Aubrey Smith), a dignified Brit with a patriotic streak; and Michael O'Brien (Charles Winninger), the most jovial of the group, who hands out Christmas presents and lets the firm's employees leave early for the holiday.
The three share their home with Madam Tanya (Maria Ouspenskaya), a Russian expatriate and former aristocrat of Tsarist Russia. Their Christmas celebration takes an unexpected turn when two invited guests fail to show up. Michael devises an intriguing plan: he tosses wallets containing $10 and a business card for each engineer out the window, hoping a good Samaritan will return them. It's a whimsical act of social experimentation-testing the morality of strangers-and it works. The wallets bring together two kind-hearted individuals: James Houston (Richard Carlson), a Texan with a talent for singing, and Jean Lawrence (Jean Parker), a schoolteacher for underprivileged children.
From there, the film introduces a darker, more supernatural element when the three engineers die in a plane crash and return as ghosts. While James and Jean fall in love, their budding relationship is jeopardized when James is drawn into the orbit of Arlene Terry (Helen Vinson), a seductive and manipulative singer with a murky past. Her jealous, alcoholic husband soon emerges as a violent threat, setting up a dramatic confrontation.
Meanwhile, the celestial realm deliberates the fates of the deceased engineers. George, haunted by his past sins, resigns himself to damnation but ultimately earns redemption. Allan is reunited with his son, who died in the war. Michael, ever selfless, is willing to remain in limbo to warn James of his impending danger. His perseverance eventually pays off, ensuring James's survival and earning Michael his place in heaven.
Despite its intriguing premise, the film falters in its execution. Unlike the ghosts in Ghost (1990), who directly impact the physical world, the engineers' influence is minimal, leaving their presence at the climax underwhelming. The predictable resolution-James miraculously surviving an operation-lacks suspense, and both he and Jean are flat characters, reduced to likable but unremarkable archetypes.
While Beyond Tomorrow offers a clever setup and an interesting mix of celestial fantasy and earthly drama, it ultimately succumbs to the limitations of its B-movie status. The romantic subplot is conventional, and the antagonistic forces feel uninspired. What could have been a thought-provoking exploration of morality and redemption instead becomes a sentimental melodrama with fleeting moments of originality.
Watching it now on your recommendation. Thanks Celia
Watched this last night and cried a lot. Thanks for the recommendation and Merry Christmas
Thank you! What a lovely film!
This film is lovely, never heard of it, thank you so much for offering it to us, Celia!
Wishing you all the best, in great thanks for all you share with us.
And by the way, I rarely know what day it is without the defining weekday of school or work, and who cares? It doesn't matter. And it's actually pretty funny.
Such a charming movie. An appropriate message in these times.
My wife and I just watched it. Thanks Celia. You post the most beautiful and unexpected movies. See you on the Zoom Holiday party on Sunday.
🎩
😎
This was charming! Thank you, Celia!
I have never heard of this movie, and I know a lot of these old chestnuts.
Makes me want to watch the old Cary Grant/Katherine Hepburn movies. Among many others.
So simple and so lovely.
Thanks again.
I’ve seen this film!!
It’s a treasure!!!
I believe it can be found on TCM.
Thanks for posting! 🙏🎄🤓