Only Yesterday

Following the 1929 Wall Street Crash, a desperate businessman prepares to take his own life. After writing a final note to his wife and arming himself with a gun, he discovers an envelope addressed to him. Reading the contents transports the story back to the First World War and his initial encounter with a woman named Mary Lane. This drama explores the romantic connection and conflict between these two individuals across different periods of their lives.

Released in 1933 by Universal Pictures, Only Yesterday was directed by John M. Stahl. It is the first of two listed films in his chronological filmography, followed by Leave Her to Heaven in 1945. The screenplay was written by Arthur Richman, George O'Neil, and William Hurlbut, with Carl Laemmle Jr. serving as producer. The movie features a cast of 71 credited performers, led by Margaret Sullavan as Mary Lane and John Boles as James Stanton Emerson. Other supporting roles are played by Edna May Oliver, Billie Burke, Benita Hume, and Reginald Denny. The film has a runtime of 105 minutes.