This is much more than just sentimentality. Maria Ouspenskaya has the key role as the one who sees through the dimensions and feels what's going on outside reality. It's a great story about three old men working together since many years, who get the idea of throwing out their wallets in the street with some money in them for Christmas, just for kicks. Two young people, a boy and a girl, happen to be honest enough to want to restore the wallets to their givers. They are invited for a Christmas dinner, and there it all starts.There are many various turns of the tale, the three gentlemen even have some interesting experiences after death, and the young couple don't go too easy along either. It's a perfect Christmas story warming your heart and morals with a lot of feeling good about it afterwards, but the real meaning is rather serious and almost sinister. Maria Ouspenskaya would not have the wisdom and insight which is her endowment without some gruesome experience in the past of losing everything, and the motto is important: "I believe that the soul of man is immortal and will be treated with justice in another life, respecting its conduct in this." - Benjamin Franklin.It's pure karma and worth remembering.

The ghosts of three elderly industrialists killed in an airplane crash return to Earth to help reunite a young couple whom they initially brought together.Structured as a B film, the production did not engage any stars who would receive billing above the title, relying instead on a quartet of veteran characters actors, Charles Winninger, Maria Ouspenskaya, C. Aubrey Smith and Harry Carey, second-tier young leads Richard Carlson and Jean Parker as well as "other woman" Helen Vinson, a minor lead/second lead during early and mid thirties, here approaching the end of her career. All seven actors received a "Featuring" billing after the title. The remaining supporting cast included Rod La Rocque, a top leading man of the silent era, now reduced to playing minor supporting roles.In retrospect, the movie is interesting for its cast, but never really rises above a B-movie. It is a bit too melodramatic, and doesn't stand out as a great film in its own right and not a great Christmas film. I have read that some people have made this a Christmas tradition, but I just can't imagine doing this. With the dozens of great Christmas movies, I wouldn't put this in the top 50.

Charming if odd fantasy quasi holiday film. For something supposedly designed to be heartwarming there are an awful lot of dark edges to this film. What it does have going for it is three terrific actors, C. Aubrey Smith, Harry Carey and Charles Winninger front and center in the sort of spotlight roles that character actors were afforded back then in B movies of this type. The general story is hokum but played with an infectious twinkle in the eye by the three gentlemen and earnestness by the two young leads. Keep in mine while watching this is a low budget affair because any special effects used are rudimentary at best but it still takes you along thanks to the skillful performances of the players.

The first 30 minutes of this film are magical. It's hard to find a Christmas movie that is more charming and appealing. But in a case I can only chalk up to severe blows to the head, the film does a 180 and the plot then twists and turns too many times--leaving viewers a bit confused and disappointed that the first portion of the film was NOT indicative of where the film would go.The film begins with three excellent character actors (Charles Winninger, C. Aubry Smith and Harry Carey, Sr.) apparently living together in New York. It's Christmas Eve and when Winninger arrives home, he insists that the other two put away their business and get down to celebrating. But, given that it's only them and their two devoted servants, it seemed a bit lonely to Winninger and he suggests they try a novel approach to procuring more guests. So, the three rich men throw wallets onto the sidewalk in the hope that honest people return them--at which point they can invite them to stay for dinner! This is all pretty cute and funny--especially when a young man and lady return the wallets. The two newcomers soon become friends with them and this is an entirely charming film up to this point.HOWEVER, in a bizarre twist, the three old men are killed off and become ghosts AND the young man and woman develop a romance...but it's almost ruined by an evil femme fatale. All these crazy plot devices just seem weird and contrived. Plus, you really love the old guys and seeing them fly off to their deaths was just awful--plus it was telegraphed horribly when their housekeeper (Maria Ouspenskaya) tells them they shouldn't take the plane but should go by train (a SURE sign they are dead meat). The last half or more of the movie isn't all that satisfying as a result of all this weirdness and the religious message concerning death and eternal life is sure to rattle a few cages! While I rarely like remakes, this is one film that could sure use it. Keep the first half and DON'T kill the old guys and DON'T introduce the femme fatale. Then, the film would truly be a lovely holiday favorite.