When Tomorrow Comes (film)

• Charles Boyer: Philip Andre Chagall
• Barbara O'Neil: Madeleine

When Tomorrow Comes is an American melodrama with Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer, directed by John M. Stahl from 1939. It is the second of three films together, Dunne and Boyer. The fabric was made ​​into a film in 1957 by Douglas Sirk once again under the title The last chord.

Action

Philip Andre Chagall, the famous French concert pianist, has just finished his tour of the USA. On the way back to New York, he makes a brief stop in a small town cafe. It is held by the waitresses who just hold a secret union meeting, a spy of the management. Helen, the leader of the strike, Monsieur Chagall impressed by her charm and natural elegance. He hides her but his true identity and Helen is in the belief that Chagall was an unemployed artist. Philip asks Helen, the last 72 hours he has before his departure to spend with him. Rent a sailboat and caught in a storm, forcing them to seek refuge in Philips handsome estate in the Hamptons. Finally Helen who you Galan is really understands. Both confess their love, but Philip is married. A divorce is not an option, since Mrs. Chagall has now lost his mind. In tears, Helen waived their love and is left alone.

Background

Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer had in early 1939 with the Leo McCarey production of Love Affair a large financial and artistic success. Dunne was the fourth of five Oscar nominations for best actress and Boyer cemented his image as a romantic lover for her performance. A few months later, John M. Stahl brought the two stars together again in front of the camera in his adaptation of A Modern Cinderella, a previously unpublished story by James M. Cain. Dunne and steel had worked together in 1932 at Back Street and 1935 for Magnificent Obsession. The actress was not very good with the director, who had to repeat certain scene in some cases very often, before she liked him. The prospect to be back with Charles Boyer in front of the camera, prevailed in the end, however, their reservations. John M. Stahl structured the plot into three approximately equal-length segments. He had to manage most of the time without a finished script, which may explain the sometimes illogical and implausible plot breakthroughs in the last third. Thus, a total of more than 20 authors who contributed to the script, even if only Dwight Taylor is listed in the credits. The script takes on a subject the unpublished story " A Modern Cinderella " by James M. Cain.

The first half hour shows the encounter and the beginning of love between the two protagonists that develops against the background of the trade union activities of Dunne. In the second part steel is the storyline about the union activities and the upcoming strike of the waitresses completely eliminated without reconciliation, focusing fully on the dramatic developments in the relationship between the lovers. The inner turmoil is symbolized by the erupting storm that brings the two highest in distress. The seemingly certain death reveals Irene Dunne their true feelings towards Boyer. The third part then presents without any introduction of a confrontation with the wife of Boyer, who seems to have lost his mind after the death of their child. It ultimately remains unclear whether Madeleine Chagall is actually succumbed to madness or whether it only plays the role of the mentally ill, after recognizing the depth and sincerity of love between Boyer and Dunne.

When Tomorrow Comes was so successful that not lacking in the coming years to try numerous studios, Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer to presented again as a screen couple at the box office. Warner Brothers offered Dunne in the lead role in All This and Heaven Too, but went to Bette Davis in the end. Universal tried both to inspire for the remake of Back Street, where Margaret Sullavan finally appeared next to Boyer. Metro -Goldwyn -Mayer tried first Irene Dunne for Gaslight to win to commit at the end of Ingrid Bergman. Only in 1944 turned Dunne and Boyer together again the comedy Together Again. In later years, Irene Dunne, Charles Boyer, together with Cary Grant named as their favorite movie partner.

Douglas Sirk in 1957 turned a remake of the movie with June Allyson, Rossano Brazzi and Marianne Koch titled Interlude. Elements of the narrative are also used in the film Serenade with Mario Lanza and Joan Fontaine in 1956.

Awards

At the Academy Awards in 1940 When Tomorrow Comes won in the category:

• Best sound

Reviews

The New York Times pointed rightly point out that lightning rarely strikes twice in the same place and not always easy to duplicate success is

" Universals " When Tomorrow Comes " [ ... ] is a pretty soporific told Romance [ ... ]. The story only works because Charles Boyer and Irene Dunne for the audience to try to repeat the success as a tragic lover, whom she had in "Love Affair" a few months ago [ ... ] Mr. Boyer provided with the charm that it makes it one of the few true matinee idols and Miss Dunne, always a pleasant and confident actress, are the only choice to breathe the James Cain story of life. "

The Daily Worker stressed tactfully as unconcerned Irene Dunne with 41 still WOULD:

"She's certainly not the youngest of all the stars, but their display looks extremely youthful and very confident. "