Beyond Tomorrow (1940)

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

Blistering performances.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

I voted 5/10 for this film as the only bit I enjoyed was listening to Maria Ouspenskaya singing a line in Russian of "Jingle Bells".Hollywood producers had an annoying tendency in the 1940s to produce too syrupy & sentimental movies and this one is no exception.Even some of your critical American users above are of this point of view.I know the USA is largely a Christian country but why bring this doctrinal assumption into the screenplay where the possible hereafter is concerned? To a 2013 audience the filmed screenplay seems very naive.The producers should have read Shakespeare's Hamlet who says in his famous soliloquy, "...the undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveller returns, puzzles the will and makes us rather bear those ills we have than fly to others that we know not of".So they should have left the subliminal question open which no living man can answer.

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.

RKO Pictures eschewed the use of stars in making this very charming fantasy about three business partners who have three very different personalities who help a pair of young lovers they meet in life and in death and Beyond Christmas.Harry Carey is the cynical one, all business and a potential Scrooge if he keeps going on. Charles Winninger and C. Aubrey Smith have more faith in human nature. In a friendly bet they turn out to be two thirds right. The trio is gathered at Maria Ouspenskaya's home for dinner and they decide to throw out wallets with a $10.00 bill and each one's business card inside. Sure enough two out of the three wallets are returned by Jean Parker and Richard Carlson and as everyone gathers for dinner, it's obvious that Carlson and Parker are smitten with each other.It might have been better if a real singer had been cast in Carlson's role, you can't miss the fact that Carlson is being dubbed. But he is an aspiring singer who gets a break on a radio program and becomes an overnight hit.After that Carey, Smith, and Winninger are all killed in a plane crash, but they linger on earth to help Carlson and Parker over the rough spots.The roughest spot is Helen Vinson who is playing one of her patented other woman roles. She's a Broadway actress with her eye on Carlson and he's taken with her, a fact upsetting to Parker.As you can see the plot has already taken a few interesting turns, but the end is quite beautiful, quite sentimental, and life affirming for those who believe we do have a purpose in our existence.When you've got three consummate professionals as the business partners who don't go out of business even in the next world, you can't help but have an enjoyable fantasy film without pretense. The kind they really don't make any more.

The first 30 minutes of this film are magical. It's hard to find a Christmas movie that is more charming and appealing. But in a case I can only chalk up to severe blows to the head, the film does a 180 and the plot then twists and turns too many times--leaving viewers a bit confused and disappointed that the first portion of the film was NOT indicative of where the film would go.The film begins with three excellent character actors (Charles Winninger, C. Aubry Smith and Harry Carey, Sr.) apparently living together in New York. It's Christmas Eve and when Winninger arrives home, he insists that the other two put away their business and get down to celebrating. But, given that it's only them and their two devoted servants, it seemed a bit lonely to Winninger and he suggests they try a novel approach to procuring more guests. So, the three rich men throw wallets onto the sidewalk in the hope that honest people return them--at which point they can invite them to stay for dinner! This is all pretty cute and funny--especially when a young man and lady return the wallets. The two newcomers soon become friends with them and this is an entirely charming film up to this point.HOWEVER, in a bizarre twist, the three old men are killed off and become ghosts AND the young man and woman develop a romance...but it's almost ruined by an evil femme fatale. All these crazy plot devices just seem weird and contrived. Plus, you really love the old guys and seeing them fly off to their deaths was just awful--plus it was telegraphed horribly when their housekeeper (Maria Ouspenskaya) tells them they shouldn't take the plane but should go by train (a SURE sign they are dead meat). The last half or more of the movie isn't all that satisfying as a result of all this weirdness and the religious message concerning death and eternal life is sure to rattle a few cages! While I rarely like remakes, this is one film that could sure use it. Keep the first half and DON'T kill the old guys and DON'T introduce the femme fatale. Then, the film would truly be a lovely holiday favorite.