It Happened Tomorrow (1944)

Who would have known?

The reviews below do a fine job giving you an idea of the movie itself. I initially picked it up as I am a big fan of the TV show Early Edition. The movie does not disappoint with it's great writing, acting, and now infamous plot. Regardless of the show, the movie stands well on it's own.

What I wanted to make sure intrerested consumers were aware of was the DVD itself. The quality of the print is fantastic with very few artifacts. The audio is excellent with no noticeable drop outs or clipping. Sadly, there are no extras. I only gave 4 stars for this reason... May 24, 2008

Delightful Charmer

Rene Clair's lightness of touch and subtle humor enlivens this slight fantasy-comedy with numerous small pleasures. Observe, for example, Darnell's sly takes during her "mind-reading" trances. Or Powell's wry reactions during the film's final minutes. Or Jack Oakie's manful wrestling with various accents (his natural lisp usually wins out). Low-key and endearing, in a pleasing transfer. September 5, 2006

The Miracle No One Believed

It Happened Tomorrow is like the pre-decessor for the TV show Early Edition. It is about a newspaperman (Dick Powell) who tells an old man in the records department that he'd give ten years of his life to see tomorrow's newspaper. In fact, he does, for three days, and what he sees isn't necessarily great news. There are plenty of twists and turns in this film, telling us and Powell that what appears to be the case might not always be the truth.

Powell is wonderful in this movie (with a moustache!). Not only is he great in the leading man spot, he's very funny too. He is the perfect blend of the guy next door and the hero-type, making him easy to relate to and interesting enough to want to watch.

Costarring Linda Darnell as Powell's love interest and Jack Oakie as her protective uncle, this is a fun example of a lesser known gem of Hollywood. June 4, 2006

A Turn-Of-The-Century Fantasy By Rene Clair, And Quite Good

Pop Benson (John Philliber) had wise words for young reporter Larry Stephens (Dick Powell), if only Stephens had listened. "There's nothing as dead as yesterday's news," Larry had said to Pops, the aging librarian of the New York newspaper they both worked for. "You have no imagination, young man," Pops replied. "News is what happens. What's the difference if it happens 50 years ago or tomorrow?" But Larry realizes what it would mean if he could know the future, even if it were just 24 hours ahead. He could write his own ticket as a reporter. Pops cautions him. "It's no good to know the future. We've all got to die someday...but if we knew the day, even if it was 20 years off...my boy, every day of your life would be poisoned."

Late that evening, walking by the closed newspaper offices, Larry meets Pops again. And Pops hands him a copy of their newspaper and tells him not to lose it. The next morning Larry realizes it's today's paper, which isn't due to be printed for several hours. Larry finds himself on a rollercoaster...writing up a crime only he knows is going to happen, becoming a hero to his boss, meeting the love of his life, Sylvia Smith (Linda Darnell), and her blustering uncle, Oscar Smith (Jack Oakie), aka The Great Giglioni, who have a phony psychic act. He also becomes a police suspect because he seems to know too much about crimes just happening. Then Pop appears again, late at night, and gives him another paper. He races to the river to save Sylvia in a good hearted scheme to help her uncle. He makes a fortune at the race track. And he comes across a story on page one: Ace reporter Larry Stephens is shot to death at the St. George Hotel. Everything in the two newspapers Pops has given him have turned out to be true. There's no reason to think his death won't turn out to be true, too.

Well, bear in mind that this is a turn-of-the-century romantic fantasy by one of the great light romantic directors, Rene Clair. The whole story is a clever, charming fable, expertly directed by Clair and acted with assurance by Powell. There's no doubt in the world that the ending will be happy, not the least because the story starts with the 50th wedding anniversary party being held for Larry and Sylvia Stephens by their many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Only then does the movie slip back in time. Clair doesn't waste a minute reflecting on fate; there's just the set up with what Pops tells Larry. Be careful what you wish for, Clair is saying, and he shows the consequences with humor and warmth.

Dick Powell may have been a bit too old for the part of the young, eager reporter, but he carries off the role with confidence and style. He was an expert light comedian. Watch how he reacts to reading the news of his death. This same year, 1944, saw his emergence as a tough guy, playing Philip Marlowe in Murder, My Sweet. It was a part he had to fight for. I've always thought Powell was a watchable, interesting actor. Even with Jack Oakie's comic blustering, Powell has no difficulty dominating the movie.

The film looks great. It was restored and remastered as part of the UCLA Film Archive. There are no extras. November 8, 2005

It's no good to know the future

A silly story of a newspaperman (Dick Powell) who is miraculously given tomorrow's newspaper for a few consecutive days and, ultimately, has to prove that the report of his death is greatly exaggerated. IT HAPPENED TOMORROW is a comedy that isn't all that funny and a work of speculation that isn't all that compelling. Powell proves that he can't grow a moustache and looks bad in circa 1905 clothing. Fans of Jack Oakie can expect a couple of chuckles, Linda Darnell is beautiful. Would have given it another star if Powell had broken out into song, any song. August 15, 2004

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