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In 1784, wealthy American Peter Standish arrives in England
to court a distant cousin, Kate Pettigrew, whose impoverished family is of
the best bloodline. At the Pettigrew home, Kate's brother Tom and
mother, Lady Ann, urge her to charm Peter into proposing to her so that they
will be able to pay off their debts. Meanwhile, her sister Helen is
visited by her unwanted but wealthy suitor, Mr. Throstle.
Just as Peter is about to enter the house, the scene
dissolves to 1933 London, to the modern day Pettigrew home, where the
current Peter Standish, an American architect who is a descendant of the
former Peter, is surveying his inheritance. His fiancée, Marjorie
Trant, arrives and grows worried at Peter's distracted appearance. He
has spent the past three days studying the former Peter's detailed diaries
and brooding about the lives of his ancestors. Marjorie persuades
Peter to join her for tea with the American ambassador, to whom Peter
explains that on this day, 149 years ago, the original Peter arrived at the
Pettigrew home. Peter also relates his belief that if he returns to
the house at precisely the same time that his ancestor arrived, he will be
transported to 1784. The ambassador tells Peter that if he did go
back, he would have to be careful not to alter history, after which Peter
rushes home.
His theory comes true, and it is he, rather than the original
Peter, who is greeted by Kate. The Pettigrews are dismayed by their
strange cousin, who seems to know about things that have not yet happened
and who speaks most peculiarly. Only Helen is more intrigued than
frightened by Peter's oddities and, as the days pass, the couple fall in
love, even though Peter has already proposed to Kate as he was supposed to
do according to the original Peter's diaries.
Peter is at first charmed by the simplicity of life in the
1700's, but gradually becomes disgusted by his acquaintances'
small-mindedness and lack of hygiene. After several incidents in which
Peter's strange ways embarrass them, the Pettigrews, except for Helen,
become convinced that a demon is inhabiting Peter's body. Helen,
desperate to learn her beloved's secret, looks deep into his eyes and is
horrified to see aspects of the future: World War I, gangsters, trains
and modern cities. Peter and Helen confess their love for each other,
and Peter determines to stay, even though he has changed history.
However, the animosity between the other Pettigrews and Peter finally
reaches a boiling point, and Peter is convinced by Helen that he must return
to his own time. She tells him that she will always be with him and
gives him an Egyptian statue of the symbol of eternal life.
Peter reluctantly returns to 1933, much to the relief of his
maid, Mrs. Barwick, Marjorie and the ambassador, who claim that Peter had
been drinking heavily and rambling about being from the eighteenth century.
Peter then visits Helen's grave and is shocked to learn that he did change
history, for instead of living out her life with Throstle, Helen died in
1787. Peter tells Marjorie that he cannot marry her, and as he grieves
for Helen, he is comforted by her voice assuring him that they will be
together "in God's time." |
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