Description

Things to Come (1936) is a British science fiction film produced by Alexander Korda and directed by William Cameron Menzies. The film stars Raymond Massey, Ralph Richardson, Cedric Hardwicke, Pearl Argyle, and Margaretta Scott. The cultural historian Christopher Frayling calls Things to Come “a landmark in cinematic design.”
The dialogue and plot were devised by H. G. Wells as “a new story” meant to “display” the “social and political forces and possibilities” that he had outlined in 1933 in The Shape of Things to Come, a work he considered less a novel than a “discussion” in fictional form that presented itself as the notes of a 22nd-century diplomat.

Cast

• Raymond Massey as John Cabal/Oswald Cabal
• Edward Chapman (actor) as Pippa Passworthy/Raymond Passworthy
• Ralph Richardson as Rudolf a.k.a. The Boss
• Margaretta Scott as Roxana Black/Rowena Cabal
• Cedric Hardwicke as Theotocopulos
• Maurice Braddell as Dr Edward Harding
• Sophie Stewart as Mrs Cabal
• Derrick De Marney as Richard Gordon
• Ann Todd as Mary Gordon
• Pearl Argyle as Catherine Cabal
• Kenneth Villiers as Maurice Passworthy
• Ivan Brandt as Morden Mitani
• Anne McLaren as Child (2036)
• Patricia Hilliard (actress) as Janet Gordon
• Charles Carson (actor) as Great-Grandfather (2036)
• Patrick Barr as World Transport official
• John Clements as Enemy pilot
• Antony Holles as Simon Burton
• Allan Jeayes as Mr. Cabal (1940)
• Pickles Livingston as Horrie Passworthy
• Abraham Sofaer as Wadsky (man in Rolls-Royce)

Notes

• All of Theotocopulos’s scenes were originally shot with Ernest Thesiger in the role, but Wells found his performance to be unsatisfactory, so he was replaced with Cedric Hardwicke and the footage was re-shot.
• Terry-Thomas, who would become known for his comic acting, has an uncredited appearance as an extra in the film, playing a “man of the future.” It was his seventh film appearance.