There's a good old time travel plot where the protagonist is given, by God, Saint Peter or other supernatural agency, the chance to go back in time and change his life, either to improve his circumstances or to avert a disaster. To make things interesting, there should be some kind of twist. His efforts to improve things only make them worse, or his efforts to prevent the disaster cause it to happen.
This early entry in the genre blows it from the beginning by making it clear that the return to the past is only an ether-induced dream, so we know that it really isn't going to change events. It still has its effect on the hero, in the sense of "be careful what you wish for" but it loses some of the impact of similar plots where we assume that he has no way of returning to the old status quo.
Still there's always fun to be had in the situation of the man who knows everything that's going to happen without anyone believing him. In this instance he does get to use his knowledge to gain a measure of fame and fortune and there are some comic bits, that not all of today's audience would understand, when he slips and starts talking about historical events yet to happen, like World War One, Prohibition and the stock market crash to uncomprehending friends and family. In fact, this is a bit overdone and you being to wonder why he seems to be too dumb to remember what year he's in.
Bottom line, a fun watch but inconsistent and missed opportunities for a catchier plot.
This early entry in the genre blows it from the beginning by making it clear that the return to the past is only an ether-induced dream, so we know that it really isn't going to change events. It still has its effect on the hero, in the sense of "be careful what you wish for" but it loses some of the impact of similar plots where we assume that he has no way of returning to the old status quo.
Still there's always fun to be had in the situation of the man who knows everything that's going to happen without anyone believing him. In this instance he does get to use his knowledge to gain a measure of fame and fortune and there are some comic bits, that not all of today's audience would understand, when he slips and starts talking about historical events yet to happen, like World War One, Prohibition and the stock market crash to uncomprehending friends and family. In fact, this is a bit overdone and you being to wonder why he seems to be too dumb to remember what year he's in.
Bottom line, a fun watch but inconsistent and missed opportunities for a catchier plot.