Search - It Happened Tomorrow on DVD

A Satyrical but Charming Fantasy-Comedy

Toshifumi Fujiwara | Tokyo, Japan | 08/01/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The great french master Rene Clair directed this movie when he was in exile in Hollywood. Dick Powell (who is slightly aged at this point; his haydays as a baby face was in the thirties) plays a news paper editor to whom, by some miracle, somebody put's the next day's paper in his pocket. In stead of telling this story as a fairy tale, Clair choses to direct it as a screwball comedy. And his sense of mad-cap comedy is as zany as in his more famous French films such as in Le Million, Les Belles de Nuit, making it a quite an enjoyable comedy with certain philosophical (but never serious) undertone. The tape is made from a beautiful print restored and preserved by UCLA Film-TV Archives. The black and white cinematography and the sets depicting New York at the turn of the century is also a joy to watch."

Classic Clair - Always makes me smile

Matthew DeStefano | Franklin Square, New York, USA | 02/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the Hollywood tradition of the 1940's feel good cinema comes a non-Hollywood production that is just as charming. I will never get bored of this film, from the comic interludes to the hokey ending that was required of all movies in that era. Why, oh why, can't someone produce movies like this anymore? At every turn I, a 21 year old boy, simply thought, "Cool". A must see for anyone who appreciates old fashioned, cheese-ball cinema."

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

C. O. DeRiemer | San Antonio, Texas, USA | 11/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

The Miracle No One Believed

Samantha Kelley | USA | 06/04/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."