Beyond Tomorrow (1940)
Film and Plot Synopsis
George, Allan, and Michael are three wealthy engineers who find themselves alone for dinner on Christmas Eve. They concoct a game to see if they find honest people in the world and encounter Jean and James. Soon, the fivesome and the engineers’ friend Madame Tanya begin spending much time together. However, the tragic death of the engineers in a plane crash leaves the men as ghosts in their own home. Following their deaths, Jean and James’ romance begins to hit rough spots that may need some divine intervention from their former friends.
‘Beyond Tomorrow’ Movie Summary
Two partners, George Melton (Harry Carey) and Allan Chadwick (C. Aubrey Smith), of a wealthy engineering firm work furiously to complete a design on time during Christmas Eve. The third partner of the firm, Michael O’Brien (Charles Winninger), arrives with presents for everyone and directs the employees home for the holiday. The three wealthy old men then return to their mansion which they share with Madame Tanya (Maria Ouspenskaya), an elderly countess dispossessed by the Russian Revolution. The four are expecting some prestigious guests for dinner.
When the guests cancel at the last minute, George is convinced it is because of his past. Michael comes up with an idea to improve George’s black mood by inviting new guests for dinner. Each of the men throw their wallets containing $10 and their business card into the street to see if any honest individuals will return them. George’s is found by a self-centered woman named Arlene Terry (Helen Vinson) who merely gives the money to her driver and throws away the wallet. However, the other two wallets are returned by good people: a Texas cowboy James Houston (Richard Carlson) and the single Jean Lawrence (Jean Parker). The three wealthy men convince the two strangers to stay for dinner and celebrate the holiday with them.
Eventually, the entire group become good friends while James and Jean fall in love with each other, much to the delight of George, Allan, and Michael. After associating with each other for several months, the wealthy engineers must travel to another city on business. Madame Tanya has a premonition of trouble and begs Michael to take a train rather than fly. Michael assures her that planes are safe to fly. However, the plane crashes in a storm and all three men are killed. At the same time, James and Jean get engaged and come to their friends’ home to celebrate and learn the tragic news. Unseen by the living, the ghosts of the three men return home, where they are dimly sensed by Madame Tanya.
James and Jean learn that Michael bequeathed some bonds to them so that they could afford to marry. The newspapers pick up on the story, and as a result, James is invited to be a guest vocalist on a radio show. Prior to the broadcast, James encounters self-centered Arlene, who is a famous singing star. The ambitious singer wishes James well and is impressed by his performance. Arlene formulates a plan to replace her aging partner who is her soon to be ex-husband, Jace Taylor (James Bush). After a brief meeting, Arlene and her business manager, Phil Hubert (Rod La Rocque), offer James a starring role in her new show. James excitedly accepts.
The rehearsal and the show causes James to spend time away from Jean. Due to the time with Arlene, James begins to have feelings for the famous singer. He neglects Jean, which disappoints the ghosts who watch over their friends. Michael is adamant that they must do something to intervene, but they are powerless to stop the actions of the living. Eventually, James’ career comes between him and Jean, and they call off their engagement.
In the after world, George is summoned to leave the world, presumably to Hell for his sins. Michael begs his friend to repent before it is too late. However, George refuses to be a hypocrite and accepts his fate before saying good-bye to his friends. Not long after, Allan is called to Heaven by his deceased son David (William Bakewell). Allan goes with his son to be reunited with his wife, leaving Michael alone. Eventually, Michael is called to Heaven, but he refuses to leave James, who Michael feels needs his guidance and help. The disembodied voice tells Michael that each person is summoned only once, and that Michael will be doomed to roam the Earth forever as a ghost.
Shortly afterwards, Arlene convinces a smitten James to take a three-day break from work with her in the country. Before leaving, James encounters Jace outside Arlene’s apartment. The two men argue over Arlene. While James leaves to prepare for the trip, Arlene encounters Jace who informs her that he needs her help to get back on his feet. Arlene coldly turns down her drunk former husband’s request. Arlene picks up James, and the couple drive away together, with Michael’s ghost in the back seat.
In the mountains, the couple stop for dinner. Jace follows them to the hotel and shoots them both in a jealous rage. Arlene is killed, and James dies on the operating table. His ghost finds Michael waiting for him. Michael explains to James that he is dead, and that Jean and Madame Tanya have come to the hospital for him. The spirit returns to collect James’ soul, but Michael intercedes on his friend’s behalf and pleads for the young James to have a second chance. The spirit grants Michael’s request, and James returns to the living and to Jean. Michael is then approached by the George’s ghost, who has finally repented. The spirit invites both Michael and George into Heaven. The friends make their final journey together.
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RKO Radio Pictures released Beyond Tomorrow on May 10, 1940. A. Edward Sutherland directed the film starring Harry Carey, C. Aubrey Smith, and Charles Winninger.