It Happened Tomorrow (1944)

A young turn-of-the-century newspaper man finds he can get hold of the next day's paper. This brings more problems than fortune, especially as his new girlfriend is part of a phony clairvoyant act.

Director:

René Clair

Writers:

Lord Dunsany (play), Hugh Wedlock Jr. (story),

Stars:

Dick Powell, Linda Darnell, Jack Oakie

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dick Powell	...	Lawrence 'Larry' Stevens
Linda Darnell	...	Sylvia Smith / Sylvia Stevens
Jack Oakie	...	Uncle Oscar Smith / Cigolini
Edgar Kennedy	...	Inspector Mulrooney
John Philliber	...	Pop Benson
Edward Brophy	...	Jake Shomberg
George Cleveland	...	Mr. Gordon
Sig Ruman	...	Mr. Beckstein
Paul Guilfoyle	...	Shep
George Chandler	...	Bob
Eddie Acuff	...	Jim

Storyline

In the beginning of the Twentieth Century, Lawrence 'Larry' Stevens is an ambitious reporter of The Evening News. One day, he is celebrating with his colleagues and he tells his friend Pop Benson that he would like to know the news in advance before it happens. While they are walking on the street, they see a poster of the clairvoyant Cigolini and his gorgeous niece Sylvia Smith and they decide to go to a theater to see the show. Larry flirts with Sylvia and on his way back home, he overhears Pop on the street and the old man tells that he is waiting for him and gives a newspaper to him. Larry does not give much attention and puts the newspaper in the pocket of his jacket. On the next morning, he finds that the newspaper is an edition of the next day. Larry uses the information to scoop about a hold up in the opera house, becoming the prime suspect of Inspector Mulrooney. Larry dates Sylvia and Pop gives another edition of The Evening News of the next day. Larry becomes a successful ...

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Plot Keywords:

newspaper | horse race | newspaper reporter | magic show | robbery | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 May 1944 (USA)

Also Known As:

René Clair's It Happened Tomorrow

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arnold Pressburger Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Writer Helene E. Franekel, who was working on her first film, observed Jack Gakie answering dialogue cues in his own words and generally rewriting his part. Clair observed that the actor always conveyed the information that was necessary, albeit in his own words. Fraenkel was surprised that Clair didn't seem threatened by these changes and, in fact, seemed to welcome them.

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Connections

Remade as La hora 24 (1990)

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Soundtracks

"Ah, fors' e lui"
from "La Traviata"
(uncredited)
Music by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Jean Forward as Nellie Melba, when the newspaperman and his girl friend are at the opera house, waiting for the box office robbery.

User Reviews

A unique film which set a precedent for thoughts on time travel

I first saw this film in the year of it's release in 1944 when I was 14 years old. I haven't seen it since I was in my early thirties and I am now in my middle seventies so perhaps I am viewing it through a rosy glow. I enjoyed Dick Powell as an actor once he got rid of playing in those silly musical films (42nd St type, etc)and rate this one a good comedy to compare at the side of his tougher vehicles like "Farewell My Lovely". His early death robbed the screen of an actor who hadn't yet fulfilled his potential. A pity there aren't more films like this one instead of the constant cycle of sex and violence with which the film industry is now preoccupied.