Beyond Tomorrow (1940) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

The three engineers, George, Michael, and Allan, were feeling gloomy because their expected Christmas dinner guests canceled at the last moment. To salvage the holiday atmosphere, they improvised a plan to attract new guests by tossing wallets containing ten dollars and business cards onto the street below their mansion, hoping curious passersby would come investigate and join their dinner.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the evening, the men fear their pasts and reputations may have caught up with them, hinting at their desperate attempt to create festive company.

• wallet plan
• Christmas dinner
• guests
• mansion
• engineers

Madame Tanya pleaded with Michael to take the train rather than fly, expressing concern for his safety. Michael assured her the flight would be safe, but his confidence proved misplaced when their aircraft was swallowed by a violent storm and crashed, killing all three engineers.

• plane crash
• Michael O'Brien
• Madame Tanya
• storm
• fatal flight

After James secured a radio role thanks to Arlene Terry's influence, he spent increasing amounts of time with her during rehearsals and outings in the countryside. Though initially engaged to Jean, James grew infatuated with Arlene and unintentionally let his thoughts and attention drift away from Jean, causing their relationship to falter.

• James Houston
• Jean Lawrence
• Arlene Terry
• infidelity
• engagement

The three benevolent ghosts, George, Michael, and Allan, watched with quiet sorrow as James became infatuated with Arlene, but they were powerless to intervene in mortal affairs. As spirits, they could observe and perhaps influence subtle energies, but they could not directly control the choices and emotions of living people.

• ghosts
• intervention
• powerless
• spirits
• mortals

Arlene Terry's ex-husband followed the couple to dinner and opened fire, wounding James. James died on the operating table, but his spirit was greeted by Michael, who pleaded for a second chance on his behalf. A benevolent voice from above granted this wish, and James was restored to life.

• shooting
• death
• operating table
• resurrection
• second chance

Arlene's ex-husband had reappeared earlier in the film seeking her help to reestablish himself, but she rebuffed him and chose her own path with James. Enraged by her rejection and perhaps jealous of her new relationship, the ex-husband tracked them down to a dinner and opened fire, killing James and presumably intending to harm Arlene as well.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Arlene refuses to help her ex-husband, setting up the confrontation.

• ex-husband
• attack
• shooting
• dinner
• Arlene Terry

After James was granted his second chance at life and restored to the living world, the ghostly trio dissolved into the ether. Michael was reunited with a repentant George Melton, and both men were finally admitted into Heaven, their long farewell to the living complete and their mission of helping the young couple fulfilled.

• heaven
• ghosts
• dissolve
• admission
• peace

The engineers had thrown the wallets onto the street hoping to find dinner guests, and James Houston and Jean Lawrence proved to be kind strangers who accepted their invitation. The men welcomed them into their home and circle, and as their friendship deepened, the engineers came to genuinely care about the couple's happiness, eventually leaving them bonds so they could afford to marry.

• James Houston
• Jean Lawrence
• bonds
• marriage
• support

After the fatal plane crash, the abandoned house felt different, faint, comforting whispers drifted through the halls. Madame Tanya sensed a quiet vigil watching over them, suggesting the benevolent spirits of George, Michael, and Allan remained in the mansion, unable to directly interact but still present in some subtle, spiritual way.

• ghosts
• vigil
• mansion
• Madame Tanya
• whispers

James had long dreamed of appearing on a radio show, and when the story of Michael's generous bond gift spread through the press, he was invited as a guest. This opportunity led him to encounter Arlene Terry, who recognized his talent and offered him a starring role, ultimately changing the course of his life and his relationship with Jean.

Foreshadowing: Michael had left bonds to James and Jean so they could afford to marry, and this story traveled through the press.

• radio show
• Arlene Terry
• career
• dream
• breakthrough

When Arlene's ex-husband reappeared seeking help to reestablish himself, she firmly rebuffed him. She chose her own path and the promising future she saw with James Houston, preferring to move forward with her career and new relationship rather than help someone from her past who had apparently caused her harm.

• ex-husband
• rejection
• Arlene Terry
• independence
• choice