Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Perfect cast and a good story

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

The ghosts of three elderly industrialists killed in an airplane crash return to Earth to help reunite a young couple whom they initially brought together.Structured as a B film, the production did not engage any stars who would receive billing above the title, relying instead on a quartet of veteran characters actors, Charles Winninger, Maria Ouspenskaya, C. Aubrey Smith and Harry Carey, second-tier young leads Richard Carlson and Jean Parker as well as "other woman" Helen Vinson, a minor lead/second lead during early and mid thirties, here approaching the end of her career. All seven actors received a "Featuring" billing after the title. The remaining supporting cast included Rod La Rocque, a top leading man of the silent era, now reduced to playing minor supporting roles.In retrospect, the movie is interesting for its cast, but never really rises above a B-movie. It is a bit too melodramatic, and doesn't stand out as a great film in its own right and not a great Christmas film. I have read that some people have made this a Christmas tradition, but I just can't imagine doing this. With the dozens of great Christmas movies, I wouldn't put this in the top 50.

I really wanted to see Maria Oupenskaya, a Russian American actress, who trained Ruth White among others. Tragically she died in a fire. This film is the first I was able to see. Back in the studio system days, films like this were done quickly and more efficiently. If anything, the quality of writing isn't great. Still the cast do a terrific job with the script. The Christmas dinner and party was delightful to watch. The tragic loss of the three elderly wealthy men who return as spirits who guide the young honest couple back to each other. The film might have quality issues with the DVD. Still the film is worth seeing at least once and should be aired around the Christmas holidays.

On Christmas Eve, three wealthy old New York City gentlemen decide to test the spirit of the holiday. Each throws his wallet from a window, containing $10 and a business card. Surprisingly nor not, two wallets are picked up by generous souls. One woman assumes the owner wouldn't miss $10, and gives the money away. The other two wallets are returned, in person. Our first responder is handsome Richard Carlson (as James "Jimmy" Houston), an aspiring singer from Texas. Next is pretty Jean Parker (as Jean Lawrence), a single woman from New Hampshire. They are invited to dinner and, well...Not surprisingly, Mr. Carlson and Ms. Parker fall in love. But you may not guess what else is going to happen. "Beyond Tomorrow" is full of surprises. The old pros helping the young couple are sentimental Charles Winninger (as Michael "Mike" O'Brien), sensible C. Aubrey Smith (as Alan Chadwick) and cynical Harry Carey (as George Melton). Loyal Russian housekeeper Maria Ouspenskaya (as Madame Tanya) joins Mr. Winninger in helping save Carlson from seductive Helen Vinson (as Arlene Terry), who picked up the other wallet. It's all densely plotted, overly sentimental, well produced and nicely cast.******* Beyond Tomorrow (5/10/40) A. Edward Sutherland ~ Richard Carlson, Jean Parker, Charles Winninger, Maria Ouspenskaya

Beyond Tomorrow (1940) ** (out of 4) Three elderly rich men (C. Aubry Smith, Harry Carey, Charles Winninger) die in a plane crash but their spirits come back to help a young couple (Jean Parker, Richard Carlson) that they knew in life. BEYOND TOMORROW isn't a bad movie but it just didn't work for me, although I can certainly understand why some people might love it. The film features some very good performances but sadly they're wasted with a screenplay that's all over the place and even worse is that it's constantly trying to make the viewer cry. I don't mind sentimental movies but I can't stand a movie that has way too much sugar on it and it constantly tries to be powerful, touching and dramatic. There are just too many scenes here that appear to be happening for no reason other than to make the viewer cry. Not only do you have one sweet scene after another but each of them features someone crying. The story of death can be said, there's no question about that, but at the same time do we need tears every step of the way? The screenplay also offers countless twists that really aren't needed and I also didn't care too much for the way this couple "seperated." Still, there's no question that the performances are quite good with Smith and Carey really standing out. Parker and Carlson also make for a nice couple and we even get Maria Ouspenskaya in a supporting bit.