![]() ![]() ![]() And a similar structure would prove most potent several years after the release of this picture in Frank Capra's classic It's a Wonderful Life (1946). Charles Dickens set the tone for much of this with his often-filmed story A Christmas Carol. And all this set during the Christmas holidays, a time when the value of joy and giving are utmost. Share Beyond Tomorrow (1940) combines several themes and conventions that have long been popular with audiences: older and wiser characters who intervene to change or improve the lives of younger ones supernatural presences who return to Earth to solve a problem among the living and the notion that fame and fortune are far less important than togetherness and true love. Jimmy's heart then begins to beat again, and with Jimmy's happiness now assured, Michael also ascends to heaven, accompanied by George, who is now ready to join his friends. When Jimmy sees Jean crying for him, he finally realizes that he has made a mistake and Michael intercedes with a voice from above to give Jimmy another chance. Jimmy is rushed to the hospital, where his heart stops beating on the operating table. Michael's instincts prove correct when Arlene's jealous, estranged husband fatally shoots Jimmy in a country inn. Michael is also called to heaven but refuses to go becauses he senses trouble and wants to help Jimmy, even if it means he is destined to wander the earth for eternity. Soon after George is taken to the nether world and Allan is called to heaven by his son David, a solider killed in World War I. When Arlene convinces Jimmy to go away with her for a weekend, Michael asks Tanya to intercede, but Jimmy refuses to heed her advice. Michael, watching helplessly as Arlene ensnares Jimmy, pleads with him to return to Jean, but his entreaties are in vain because Jimmy cannot hear him. Becoming infatuated with Arlene, Jimmy soon begins to neglect Jean. Because of the strange circumstances connected with his inheritance, Jimmy receives much publicity, thus attracting the attention of seductive radio radio star Arlene Terry. Michael has bequeathed Jimmy some bonds with which he launches his singing career. After the accident, the three men return as ghosts, but only their faithful Russian housekeeper, Madame Tanya, senses their presence. Jimmy and Jean fall in love over dinner and soon become inseparable from Michael, Allan and George, who reveal in their company, until the three gentlemen tragically perish in a plane crash. Although cynical George is certain that no one would return a wallet containing cash, struggling Texan James Houston and young clinic worker Jean Lawrence both return the wallets they find. Faced with spending Christmas Eve alone in their New York mansion, good-hearted Michael suggests that they drop three wallets, each containing a ten dollar bill and one of their business cards, out their window and ask whomever returns them to stay for dinner. Engineers and business partners Michael O'Brien, Allan Chadwick, and George Melton are wealthy but lonely old men. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |