Al di là del domani

Beyond Tomorrow is a film that should be considered a Christmas classic, but sadly is film which has slipped through the cracks. This film began production in 1939 at General Service Studios which was rented out by Academy Productions, Inc. The film was released in May 1940, certainly not during the Christmas season. The film was distributed by RKO. This film was considered to be a second feature, or B picture. The cast, which are excellent in the roles, are all supporting players in other films, but here they are given the lead. This film was known as an "orphan" film. The copyright on this film was allowed to expire when Academy Productions went out of business. Because this film didn't have major stars in it, the film was not widely replayed during the Christmas season, except in smaller local markets. Interestingly, "It's A Wonderful Life" really only became the classic film it is, because it too slipped into the public domain, and repeated TV viewings around the holidays insured that film would become a classic.

In the age of DVDs "Beyond Tomorrow" would soon find a new life, and would appear on any of a number of DVDs from various film studios. Most of these DVDs, regardless of price, would use the same source material, mainly the print stored at the Library of Congress as part of it's copyright deposit collection. The film print that most people are used to is very dark, with cuts and splices throughout.

In 2005 the film was put out in a colorized verison on DVD. The distributer of the film is listed as 20th Century Fox, however the film was colorized by a different company. The colorization, though a major improvement over techniques used in the 1980s, still has its limitations. The color is muddy, very unrealistic, and even distracting. The print that they colorized, while a different print then the ones used on most other DVD releases of this film, was still poor, and that is reflected in the colorized version. Additionally several short scenes were cut from the color verison, but these scenes are included as "deleted scenes" on the DVD. Had these scenes been left in the film the movie would have made a bit better sense.

"Beyond Tomorrow" from 1940 begs to be re-discovered by today's somewhat jaded and special effects over-saturated audiences. Director A. Edward Sutherland knew his business and even if his films aren't top drawer Hollywood, they're not backlot dreck either. Thanks to Alpha Video this film was a mere $4.99 at Manhattan's J&R superstore.

Many movies feature a departed-from-this-mortal-coil soul aiding those left behind to find love or, perhaps, solve crimes. It's hardly a novel genre. Most are hokey even with top stars (like, say, Robin Williams). "Beyond Tomorrow" with effects pretty good for the times is a charmer from beginning to end.

Three gentlemen, getting on in years, are very successful engineers who live in a palatial town house in Manhattan. In addition to being business partners they're close friends. George Multon (Harry Carey) has a mysterious past act taking a ride on his conscience. Ramrod straight Alan Chadwick formerly served in a British regiment in India. Jovial Michael O'Brien (Charles Winninger) brings a blithe Irish spirit to the trio's Christmas Eve. The engineers have two housekeepers, Madame Tanya (the versatile actress of stage and screen as well as drama teacher Maria Ouspenskaya) and the butler Josef (Alex Melesh). The two Russian emigres have their own story: refugees from the demise of the Romanovs, Madame Tanya voices her thanks at being in America to which Josef concurs (these actors had no later problems with HUAC).

A novel ploy is hatched by the tuxedoed engineers to brighten up their Christmas Eve. Each hurls a wallet with his business card and a $10 bill to the snowy sidewalk outside their manse. The idea is that whoever returns the wallet and money will be invited to dine in sumptuous luxury.

An actress, Arlene Terry (Helen Vinson) takes the money and throws the wallet to the ground. This is the real beginning of fantasy in the flick as such behavior didn't then and never could happen in Gotham. But a handsome guy from Texas, a would-be crooner, James Houston (Richard Carlson), and a nice gal, Jean Lawrence (Jean Parker), return the billfolds. (This was a decade before Carlson became the nation's and the FBI's hero as the patriot who penetrated the Evil Empire's domestic operation as shown in "I Led Three Lives." Carlson enjoyed a prolific if not artistically important screen and TV career.)

Wouldn't you know that neither had any plans for Christmas Eve.

So the two single folks, alone on Christmas Eve in New York, meet at the old codgers' roost and, of course, an immediate attraction ensues. Amused and moved by the instant romance formed under their roof, the engineers more or less adopt the couple.

But then...tragedy strikes. Ignoring the ominous prediction of disaster from Madame Tanya, the trio fly off to get new business and perish when their plane hits a mountain. Everyone's grief stricken.

But, at least for a while, the three dead guys come home to try and manage affairs. And they find a big problem. Discovered as a singing sensation Jim is at risk of being seduced by the divorced (1940s signal for "Loose Woman Dead Ahead") Arlene Terry (remember, we already know she's a snake because she didn't return the wallet).

Poor Jean is increasingly left alone while Jim pursues his career and Arlene pursues him. The ghosts lament his approaching indiscretion but can they save the day?

Much of the story is predictable but the acting is first-rate. Winninger's O'Brien will capture the heart of all who enjoy lovable Irishmen with deep hearts and a hardy brogue.

Jean Parker is adorable as the big-hearted kid who finds and almost loses love in the Big City.

This wasn't a big budget film but for the time the spectral characters are pretty state-of-the-art. The outcome is never in doubt but the trip there is charming.

Readily available on DVD: go for it.

8/10

Wonderful Christmastime fantasy about three old men getting young, handsome, hunky Richard Carlson to fall in love with sweet, young, beautiful Jean Parker. There's a lot more to it but I don't want to ruin it.

This is VERY low-budget and the story is overly sentimental and more than a little silly--but I have a soft spot in my heart for it. When I was young a local TV station showed this film around Christmastime for years. I haven't seen it for almost 30 years but caught it on TCM. And i STILL love it!

Something about it has always captivated me. The whole movie was somewhat predictable but I kept watching enthralled. The acting was excellent by everybody (Carlson especially--and his singing is GREAT) and the story didn't get too goody-goody or syrupy. And it all ends on a very happy note. And damned if that ending didn't have me crying.

A wonderful Christmas movie--right up there with "A Christmas Story" and "It's a Wonderful Life". This film should really be rediscovered. Well worth seeing.

Unfortunately the print on TCM is in terrible condition. It's faded and jumpy but not unwatchable. Still worth seeing. I heard there's a COLORIZED print of this! Avoid that at all costs.

A crazy-quilt of drama and emotions, initially with a holiday theme, about three elderly New York businessmen, workaholics who have unintentionally become hermits, finding themselves friendless on Christmas Eve; after throwing their wallets out into the street, they are greeted with two honest souls (a soft-spoken, singing cowboy and a kindergarten teacher) who eventually fall in love...and that's just the beginning of the story! The narrative takes on a bundle of different themes (unexpected death, youthful romance, the cause and effect of success, after-life fantasy), yet the end results are fairly smooth (although, after the forty-minute mark, the picture becomes almost a different movie altogether). Perhaps it wouldn't work so well if not for Charles Winninger's lovely performance as the twinkling Irishman who brings the young folks together. Winninger has a moment late in the proceedings, talking to the heavens, that is both blissfully serene and fraught with emotion--honest emotion, the kind Hollywood sometimes has trouble creating. The film's message is clear--if you give unto others, you're sure to receive--and if that strikes some viewers as corny, so be it. However, the filmmakers do wonders with several ideas which have since become old-hat, and the three codgers are fabulous characters who transcend some of the more obvious plot-developments. In fact, the movie is such a surprise, I would imagine more TV-airings might turn it into a holiday perennial. *** from ****

I really wanted to see Maria Oupenskaya, a Russian American actress, who trained Ruth White among others. Tragically she died in a fire. This film is the first I was able to see. Back in the studio system days, films like this were done quickly and more efficiently. If anything, the quality of writing isn't great. Still the cast do a terrific job with the script. The Christmas dinner and party was delightful to watch. The tragic loss of the three elderly wealthy men who return as spirits who guide the young honest couple back to each other. The film might have quality issues with the DVD. Still the film is worth seeing at least once and should be aired around the Christmas holidays.