music, books, love and kindness

You could have knocked me over with a feather this morning when a library patron came in and asked me if we owned "If Tomorrow Comes" on DVD...We don't own it at all so I've offered him my copy when he is able to track down a VCR player...can't wait to talk to him after he's watched it.

When I first wrote about this VHS I was so sure that it would be out on DVD someday, but alas it still is not...definitely one of the best mini-series of the 80s. I just saw that it IS available in a non-USA region DVD...darn! Wish it were available here...





The tv mini-series, in all its true glory, died in the 80s. Jane Seymour and Jacqueline Smith were the queens of the shamelessly fun ones such as "Crossings" and "Rage of Angels," but the oh-so-underrated Madolyn Smith brought adorable innocence to the table when she debuted in "If Tomorrow Comes."

I used to drive my sister crazy during 1986 as I'd watch "ITC" over and over on the VHS cassette I'd used to tape the 3-night miniseries. One day in the late 90s I was shopping and I spotted the movie on professional VHS. Forgetting where I was, I squealed out loud in excitement and an elderly woman nearby looked at me with alarm before she scurried off faster than I'd ever seen anyone move. I probably should have restrained myself, but I had lost my copy years before and all the good memories I'd had of it came flooding back right there in the store.

If only "If Tomorrow Comes" were on DVD...It seems clunky now to go through all three tapes, but it's still worth it, watching the story of the way-too-trusting Tracy Whitney as she faces betrayal and injustice before she battles her way back with a charm and vengeance that can only come from deep suffering and a need for closure.

There are so many reasons to like "ITC," but if I had to list five of them...

--Revenge has never been so sweetly calculated or free of violence. (I enjoy David Mamet's brand of the dirty double cross, but sometimes it's nice to see the softer side of retribution.)

--It's always neat to see talented actors in their earlier days (i.e. CCH Pounder, Tom Berenger, Liam Neeson.)

--Madolyn Smith is so endearing here AND she shows so much promise as an actress. You have to wonder why she didn't go on to do bigger and better things. ("Funny Farm," while cute and harmless enough, just doesn't hold up to what she does in "If Tomorrow Comes.")

--Tom Berenger!! (Those of you who appreciate Mr. Berenger's sex appeal and understated acting will understand! To this day, I still don't get why he isn't more well-known and valued.)

--No other tv movie that followed ever recaptured the true guilty pleasure spirit of the "big" mini-series (except for the very serious and unforgettable "War and Remembrance," which falls under "big" rather than "guilty pleasure" since it had a very important message and hardly could be considered light fare.)


Give "tomorrow" a chance! I would suggest you hold out and wait for a DVD release (which might offer a clearer picture resolution) but it doesn't look like that's on the horizon...