It Happened Tomorrow

1944

It Happened Tomorrow

Critics Consensus

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It Happened Tomorrow Photos

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Movie Info

A rollicking comedy-fantasy set in the 1890s, It Happened Tomorrow is the story of a young newspaper reporter (Dick Powell) who longs for the "big scoop" that will make him famous. At a party, Powell is drawn into a conversation by an elderly newspaper employee (John Philliber) given to spouting philosophical statements about the future. Through the mysterious old man's auspices, Powell is made privy to special editions of his newspaper, each of which carries tomorrow's headlines. Thanks to his seeming gift for prophecy, Powell becomes the paper's top reporter, and also gets tied up with a phony mentalist (Jack Oakie) who hopes to use Powell's "gift" to win at the races. Unfortunately, each of Powell's prognostications results in near-disaster for himself or his girl friend (Linda Darnell), the mentalist's niece. One morning, Powell glances at one of his special newspapers, only to read his own obituary! The desperate measures taken by Powell to stave off the Inevitable lead to a slapstick climax on the roof of a fancy hotel. Lest the audience become unduly concerned over Powell's ultimate fate, the film is framed by a flashback, related by Powell on the occasion of his 50th wedding anniversary. Superbly directed by Rene Clair, It Happened Tomorrow deftly weaves its fanciful premise into an uproarious and surprisingly credible 84 minutes.

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Classics, Comedy, Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Romance
Directed By:

René Clair
Written By:

Helene Fraenkel, Dudley Nichols, René Clair, Howard Snyder, Hugh Wedlock Jr.
In Theaters:

May 28, 1944 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Jul 22, 2003
Runtime:

84 minutes
Studio:

United Artists

Cast

Dick Powell
as Lawrence 'Larry' Stevens

Linda Darnell
as Sylvia Smith / Sylvia Stevens

Jack Oakie
as Uncle Oscar Smith / Cigolini

Edgar Kennedy
as Inspector Mulrooney

John Philliber
as Pop Benson

Edward S. Brophy
as Jake Schomberg

George Cleveland
as Mr. Gordon

Sig Rumann
as Mr. Beckstein

Paul Guilfoyle
as Shep

Eddie Acuff
as Jim

George Chandler
as Bob

Marion Martin
as Nurse

Jack Gardner
as Reporter

Eddie Coke
as Sweeney

Robert E. Homans
as Mulcahey

Emma Dunn
as Mrs. Keever

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Critic Reviews for It Happened Tomorrow

All Critics (5) | Top Critics (1)

By & large the simple comic pleasures of the picture lose themselves in intricate artifice, until the last half-hour.

Feb 27, 2018 | Full Review…

James Agee
TIME Magazine
Top Critic
More a daffy comedy than a true newspaper movie.

Mar 21, 2011 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Christopher Lloyd
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
The premise illustrates the director's view of his medium as a playground of visions

Feb 13, 2010 | Full Review…

Fernando F. Croce
CinePassion
Meticulously crafted nonsense.

Mar 8, 2009 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

View All Critic Reviews (5)

Audience Reviews for It Happened Tomorrow

Sep 05, 2010

This movie is sort of sci-fi , sort of comedy, and sort of a thriller, and mixes these genres well. I enjoyed this movie, and I recommend it.

Aj V Super Reviewer
Jul 13, 2008

Cute premise, not perfectly executed but pleasantly charming fantasy. Linda Darnell is almost unbelievably beautiful.

jay n Super Reviewer