I've Lived Before dating history

DarkMarc

This film is more like fantasy/science fiction it might be true or it might not be. Universal - International during the 1950s was known for their Technicolor melodramas directed by Douglas Sirk and for their Science Fiction or Horror films (Creature From The Black, lagoon series). In 1956 a book about reincarnation swept the nation and that book was also made into a film titled The Search For Bridey Murphy. The film that accompanied the book was released by Paramount so not to be outdone Universal - International came up with their own ideas on reincarnation. In 1956 a book was published that created quite a stir that many people began to question what they knew about death. While being hypnotized by Dr. Morey Bernstein, housewife Ruth Simmons experiences a past life as Irishwoman Bridey Murphy. The title of his book was "The Search for Bridey Murphy." The book proved to be so popular that a film (of the same title) was released by Paramount Pictures in 1956 the film starred Teresa Wright, Louis Hayward and Nancy Gates. This film I've Lived Before (1956, Universal - International) was released during the short-lived "Bridey Murphy" reincarnation craze that began in 1956."I've Lived Before starred: Jock Whitney, Leigh Snowden, Ann Harding and Jerry Paris. In film the reincarnation angle is treated as a sort of mystery, and never gets too silly or “out-there”. As such, I expected it to be somewhat questionable, but it actually turned out to be a serious, well intentioned study of reincarnation that presented alternate viewpoints, explored psychological explanations, and told the story of someone whose reincarnation story appears to be true. Jock Mahoney, usually associated with western and jungle films, does a fine job as a pilot who has strange, unexpected flashes of memories and unexplained knowledge from the life of a World War I pilot who died in 1918. John McIntire is excellent as the skeptical, but open-minded psychiatrist and Jerry Paris strains to earn a couple of chuckles, but he’s believable as Mahoney’s heroic sidekick and co-pilot. As the leading lady Leigh Snowden is the beautiful and understanding girl friend. Also in 1956 Leigh Snowden had another leading lady role in in the third installment to very successful Creature From The Black Lagoon series titled The Creature Walks Among Us. Cast as a stewardess was April Kent, daughter of actress June Havoc. Even though the end of "I've Lived Before" does make a strong case for rebirth it does it in an honest and unsentimental way. Whenever I think about the fact or myth of reincarnation I'm always reminded of the quote by the celebrated 18th century French author and philosopher Voltaire who said of the theory of reincarnation: "It is not more surprising to be born twice then once".