This phrase refers to Richard Matheson’s 1975 science fiction novel, Bid Time Return, and, by extension, the popular 1980 film adaptation starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, often marketed as Somewhere In Time. The story centers on a playwright who becomes obsessed with a photograph of a late 19th-century actress and uses self-hypnosis to travel back in time to meet her.
The narrative explores themes of love, destiny, and the power of belief. Its romantic portrayal of time travel and the evocative period setting have resonated with audiences for decades, securing its place as a cult classic. The film’s score, featuring Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, further contributes to its enduring appeal and has become synonymous with the story itself. The novel’s exploration of self-hypnosis as a means of time travel also adds a unique dimension to the narrative, differentiating it from other time travel fiction.