November 28: Beyond Tomorrow (1940)
In Beyond Tomorrow, we meet three businessmen, George Melton (Harry Carey), Michael O'Brien (Charles Winninger) and Allan Chadwick (C. Aubrey Smith) all partners in a enginerring firm (movie code, for the America in the 1930s, of decent successful businessmen) about to celebrate Christmas Eve together. There is enough backstory that we get a real sense of their good natures (Michael) and their darker fears (George), regardless of the subject. Michael suggests for this Christmas eve, they toss out wallets with only ID and $10 out onto the street below. One wallet is absconded, but the other two are returned, by a cowboy from Oklahoma, James (Richard Carlson) and a teacher Jean (Jean Parker). The two young people are invited in to join the businessmen for dinner. Of course a relationship blossoms between them. The evening is magical for more than that...
Watch for: Fine development of the interworkings of the characters. The relationship lasts far beyond Christmas eve and deepens the bond for everyone.
This story starts on Christmas eve and deals with fundamentals of good company, good times, kindness and gifts not expected. The drama that happens after Christmas harkens to sacrifice made for others.
Beyond Tomorrow can be found on Amazon streaming, sometimes even Prime streaming.