First released in theaters by United Artists in 1944, It Happened Tomorrow is both a comedy and a fantasy; the fantasy in this film is akin to a story that might be featured in the Twilight Zone, and it has the theme “be careful what you wish for because it might come true."
Directed by Rene Clair, the restored black and white film features Dick Powell as a young newspaperman named Lawrence (Larry) Stevens and Linda Darnell, a beautiful lady clairvoyant called Sylvia Smith who Larry pursues and marries.
The film begins with Larry and Sylvia Stevens’ golden wedding anniversary celebration. As friends and family await the couple’s entrance, Larry tells Sylvia he wants to tell everyone about the remarkable experience he had as a young reporter at the end of the 19th century. Sylvia disagrees—saying no one will believe him. Then the flashback begins, revealing this unbelievable story.
Larry is an obituary reporter for the Evening News and dreams of becoming a top news reporter. As he talks over his ideas, an old newspaper archivist Pop Benson (John Philliber) tells the men you can learn a lot from the newspapers. If only he had tomorrow’s news, Larry would know what he was going to write about, and, he could become a successful reporter. The men leave, go drinking, and attend a magic show where Larry falls instantly in love with Sylvia, the female clairvoyant who delivers answers to her Uncle Oscar’s (Jack Oakie) questions in their magic act.
Uncle Oscar is overly protective of Sylvia and Larry has to use creative and humorous ways to see Sylvia. That night on his way home Larry is given tomorrow’s edition of the Evening News. Larry discovers there will be a robbery at the opera house. He invites Sylvia to attend the show with him and sure enough, the robbery occurs. Police inspector Mulrooney (Edgar Kennedy) is suspicious of Larry as Larry knows so much of the details. Inspector Mulrooney arrests Larry for being part of the criminal gang. More comedy ensues. After another newspaper prediction of attempted suicide, Larry rescues Sylvia and marries her.
In another paper, Pop gives Larry are the winning numbers for the horse races but the paper also contains a headline announcing Larry’s demise in a shootout at the St. George Hotel. Distraught over this news, Larry ensures Sylvia will have funds after he dies by going to the racetrack to place his bets on the winning horses and collecting the money.
More hilarity follows as they are attacked on the way home and the money is stolen from them. Larry learns his lesson in the final chase scene ending at the St. George Hotel and also finds out that Pop had died the night of the magic show. With lots of funny scenes and entertaining stars, this film is recommended. Aud: J, H, C. P.