Customer Reviews
The True Christmas Spirit - By: Rama Rao, 08 Jan 2008 
George Melton (Harry Carey), Alan Chadwick (Aubrey Smith), & Michael O'Brien (Charles Winninger) are rich lonely owners of an engineering firm invite two young strangers named James Houston (Richard Carlson), & Jean Lawrence (Jean Parker) to spend the Christmas eve with them & enjoy a luxurious meal at their Manhattan home. James is a singer from Texas fallls in love with Jean instantly. The two date under the watchful eye of three gentlemen & also their housekeepers, Madame Tanya (Maria Ouspenskaya) & the butler Josef (Alex Melesh).
But when tragedy strikes, during a business trip, for the three gentlemen; they perish when their plane crash but they return home to "manage affairs" as ghosts. In the meanwhile, Jim is discovered as a singing sensation & is being seduced by the married actress Arlene Terry (Helen Vinson). Jean is increasingly left alone while Jim pursues his career. The ghosts fail to save the day but the jealous husband finishes the job by shooting his wife & James. The movie has an interesting Christmas tone when the three rich men offer to entertain two ordinary people in their palatial home. There are lots love, romance, comedy & tragedy, & still proves to be a wonderful Christmas classic: Highly recommended.
"Beyond Christmas (1940) ... Legend Films ... 20th Century Fox (2004)" - By: J. Lovins, 08 Sep 2007 
20th Century Fox present "BEYOND CHRISTMAS" (Released 10 May 1940) (79 mins) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitallly Remastered) --- now in COLOR & Glorious Black & White --- Beyond Tomorrow is a 1940 fantasy film directed by A. Edward Sutherland. In it, a trio of ghosts try to help two young lovers whom they knew when alive --- In 2004, an alternate color version of the black & white film was produced by Legend Films & released by 20th Century Fox, under the title Beyond Christmas.
Under A. Edward Sutherland (Director), Mildred Cram (Screenwriter), Adele Comandini (Screenwriter), Adele Comandini (Associate Producer),
Lee Garmes (Producer), Frank Tours (Original Score), Lester White (Cinematographer), Otto Ludwig (Editor) - - - - - our story line & plot, Three elderly business partners & friends are disappointed to learn that their expected Christmas Eve guests have cancelled --- In the hopes of sharing their repast with some deserving strangers, they throw three walllets, each containing $10 & a business card, onto the sidewalk & wait for them to be returned --- These being the streets of New York in 1940 rather than today, their hopes are fulfilled --- An attractive young woman & man each return one & are duly invited in for dinner, where a romance develops between Jimmie (Richard Carlson) & Jean (Jean Parker) --- The lonely old men (Harry Carey, C. Aubrey Smith, Charles Winninger) act as guardian angels to the couple, even before a plane crash takes their lives & they return to earth as ghosts to watch over them --- Jimmie's newfound success as a singer under the tutelage of the wanton (read: divorced) Arlene Terry (Helen Vinson) threatens his engagement to Jean, while the three ghosts try to keep the couple together --- They are involved in their own drama as each is callled away to The Great Beyond--one to a bleak downward place because of some transgression in his past, the other to meet his son in paradise, & another who is doomed to "wander the shadows of the earth" because he gives up his chance at the Pearly Gates in order to lead Jimmie down the right path again --- the film succeeds in striking a nice balance of heartwarming sentiment..
the cast includes:
Harry Carey ... George Melton
C. Aubrey Smith ... Allan 'Chad' Chadwick
Charles Winninger ... Michael O'Brien
Alex Melesh ... Josef - the butler
Maria Ouspenskaya ... Madame Tanya
Helen Vinson ... Arlene Terry
Rod La Rocque ... Phil Hubert
Richard Carlson ... James Houston
Jean Parker ... Jean Lawrence
J. Anthony Hughes ... Police Officer Johnson
Robert Homans ... Police Sergeant
Virginia McMullen ... Radio Station Secretary
James Bush ... Jace Taylor
William Bakewell ... David Chadwick
BIOS
1. Harry Carey
Date of Birth: 16 January 1878 - The Bronx, New York
Date of Death: 21 September 1947 - Brentwood, California
2. Charles Winninger
Date of Birth: 26 May 1884 - Athens, Wisconsin
Date of Death: 27 January 1969 - Palm Springs, California
3. C. Aubrey Smith
Date of Birth: 21 July 1863 - London, England, UK
Date of Death: 20 December 1948 - Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California
4. Maria Ouspenskaya
Date of Birth: 29 July 1876 - Tula, Russia
Date of Death: 3 December 1949 - Los Angeles, California
5. Richard Carlson
Date of Birth: 29 April 1912 - Albert Lea, Minnesota
Date of Death: 24 November 1977 - Encino, California
6. Jean Parker (aka: Lois Mae Green)
Date of Birth: 11 August 1915 - Deer Lodge, Montana
Date of Death: 30 November 2005 - Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California
Legend Films can restore, colorize & release many of the classic earliest black & white films --- a patented coloring & remastering process makes each film picture perfect plus more vivd than ever --- no one can resist collecting every title that Legend Films releases.
Hats off & thanks to Barry B. Sandrew Ph.D. (Founder, COO & CTO) & his Legend Films Staff --- looking forward to more high quality releases from the vintage era of the '20s, '30s & '40s --- order your copy now from Amazon where there are plenty of copies available on DVD --- if you enjoyed this title, why not check out Legend Films where they are experts in releasing long forgotten films & treasures to the collector.
Total Time: 79 mins on DVD ~ 20th Century Fox. ~ (10/12/2004)
