Tomorrow, the World! (1944)

Director:

Leslie Fenton

Writers:

James Gow (play) and
Armand d'Usseau (play) ...

Release Date:

29 December 1944 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Engagement | Housekeeper | Jew | Youth | School

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Fredric March	...	Mike Frame
Betty Field	...	Leona Richards
Agnes Moorehead	...	Aunt Jessie Frame
Joan Carroll	...	Pat Frame
Edit Angold	...	Frieda - Frame's Maid
Skip Homeier	...	Emil Bruckner (as Skippy Homeier)

Runtime:

86 min | 82 min (Video-Cinema Films Inc. print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | German

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #10491) | USA:TV-PG (TV rating) | Sweden:Btl

Company:

Lester Cowan Productions

Trivia:

The play opened on Broadway in New York City, New York, USA on 14 April 1943 and closed 17 June 1944 after 500 performances. The opening night cast included Skip Homeier as Emil and Edit Angold as Frieda, both of whom originated their movie roles in the play, and Ralph Bellamy as Mike Frame, Shirley Booth as Leona Richards and Kathryn Givney as Jessie Frame. Producer Lester Cowan bought the rights to the play for $75,000 plus 25% of the gross, not to exceed $350,000. He wanted to change the title of the movie to "The Intruder," but a poll of exhibitors voted him down.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When Emil appears in his Nazi uniform, the shirt and pants are those of the Hitler Youth (which is appropriate for someone his age). However, the armband is not that of the Hitler Youth (alternating red and white bands with a swastika inside a white diamond), but that of a regular party member (solid red background with a swastika in a white circle). He would not have been eligible for full party membership - and the party armband - until his 18th birthday.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust (2004)

I couldn't wait to see this movie.

I had not heard of the film until I saw it on the Turner Movie Classics schedule. Seeing the subject matter and the 1944 date excited me. The writer, director and cast would be playing out the issues in real time, as the die was cast. I grew up in a household conflicted with stories and opinions of Nazi Germany. My mother is Jewish. My father was German and raised by a father who supported Hitler. I have always been fascinated by Germans who seem to be good people who choose to ignore the eventual outcome of Hitler's madness and defend Germany's need for him.

The characters each have their unique perspective and reaction to Emil as played masterfully by Skip Homeier. The desire to see only the good in a human being with no expectation that they are dealing with a fully brainwashed evil acting thug is such an American trait. This movie is simply made and concentrates closely on the story, and it's the story and the acting that is compelling. I think you will enjoy it if you enjoy a good psychological study. My husband was disappointed with the ending, I, however, was overjoyed and cried. P. S. It was nice to see Agnes Moorehead in her role. I have never seen her play such a "normal person".