Honeymoon in Bali (1939)
Honeymoon in Bali (also released as Honeymoon in Bali and Honeymoon in Bali: Husbands or Lovers) is a 1939 American romantic comedy directed by Edward H. Griffith, produced by Paramount Pictures, and starring Madeleine Carroll, Fred MacMurray, and Akim Tamiroff. The film was released on August 25, 1939, with a runtime of approximately 95 minutes.
Plot Summary
The story centers on Gail Allen (Madeleine Carroll), a successful New York businesswoman who prides herself on her independence and rational approach to life. She is convinced by her astrologer friend that she is destined to marry a man from Bali. Skeptical but intrigued, Gail soon meets Bill Burnett (Fred MacMurray), a charming plantation owner visiting from Bali.
Despite her insistence on remaining single and devoted to her career, Gail finds herself drawn to Bill’s warmth and sincerity. Their romance is complicated by her professional obligations, her resistance to fate, and the interference of colorful supporting characters. Ultimately, Gail must decide whether to follow her head or her heart, with Bali symbolizing both exotic adventure and the promise of love.
Cast
- Madeleine Carroll as Gail Allen
- Fred MacMurray as Bill Burnett
- Akim Tamiroff as Fortune Teller
- Helen Broderick as Aunt Susan
- Allen Jenkins as Oscar
- Reginald Gardiner as George
- Carolyn Lee as Suzy
- Harvey Stephens as Tom
- Clyde Fillmore and Philip Ahn in supporting roles
Production Notes & Trivia
- Directed by Edward H. Griffith, known for sophisticated romantic comedies.
- Produced by Paramount Pictures, with cinematography by Leo Tover.
- The film was also released under the alternate title Husbands or Lovers.
- Madeleine Carroll, already famous for Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps (1935), brought elegance and wit to the role.
- Fred MacMurray was establishing himself as a leading man in romantic comedies before later becoming a Disney favorite.
- The film reflects late‑1930s Hollywood’s fascination with astrology, exotic locales, and the tension between career women and traditional romance.
- Though set partly in Bali, much of the film was shot on studio sets, with Bali serving as a romanticized backdrop rather than a realistic location.
