"It Happened Tomorrow": a 1940s predecessor to Early Edition

[Gaith]

Just thought I'd give a shout-out to a very entertaining film I recently saw: It Happened Tomorrow. It's about an obituaries journalist in an unnamed American city (that looks and feels more like a large town) who yearns to write for the front page, and gets a wallop of a scoop when he's given a copy of tomorrow's newspaper... today. Yep, it's like Early Edition, though it's a B&W romantic comedy that dips its toe into slapstick. The genuinely suspenseful climax might also remind SF/F fans of a plot element in the Hitchhikers' novels.

So, if you're a SF/F person interested in 1940s movies that depict the late 1890s and feature some broad but very funny physical comedy, by all means consider giving it a go. And if you love Early Edition, you should definitely Netflix this puppy.

 

[DevilEyes]

I saw it years ago as a child and loved it. It was one of my favorite comedies and it had a very interesting premise. I am generally not into romcoms, but I make an exception for quite older ones. I think they tend to be better, funnier, less cheesy and more charming than the romcoms of today.

Rene Clair seems to have had a knack for romantic comedies with an offball fantasy or SF plot (I Married A Witch).

 

[RandyS]

I've never seen it, but want to now.

 

[Gaith]

^^^ Sweet! Let us know what you think if you do.

I am generally not into romcoms, but I make an exception for quite older ones. I think they tend to be better, funnier, less cheesy and more charming than the romcoms of today.

I'm no rom-com expert, but when this film was released, the male lead was forty, and the female love interest was 21. The male character was probably intended to be younger than its actor, but still....

That aside, it's a very charming film indeed.