Husbands or Lovers (1939)
"Honeymoon in Bali" (original title)

Bill Burnett, a resident of Bali, visits New York City, meets and falls in love with Gail Allen, the successful manager of a Fifth Avenue shop, who is determined to remain free and ... See full summary »

Director:

Edward H. Griffith

Writers:

Grace Sartwell Mason (original story), Katharine Brush (original story),

Stars:

Fred MacMurray, Madeleine Carroll, Allan Jones

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Fred MacMurray	...	Bill 'Willie' Burnett
Madeleine Carroll	...	Gail Allen
Allan Jones	...	Eric Sinclair
Akim Tamiroff	...	Tony, the Window Washer
Helen Broderick	...	Miss Lorna 'Smitty' Smith
Osa Massen	...	Noel Van Ness
Carolyn Lee	...	Rosie, Daughter of Bill's dying Friend
Astrid Allwyn	...	Fortune Teller at Egret Room
Georgia Caine	...	Miss Stone, Gail's Secretary
John Qualen	...	Meek Man
Fritzi Brunette	...	Secretary
William B. Davidson	...	Store Detective
Benny Bartlett	...	Jack, Singing Telegram Boy (as Bennie Bartlett)

Storyline

Bill Burnett, a resident of Bali, visits New York City, meets and falls in love with Gail Allen, the successful manager of a Fifth Avenue shop, who is determined to remain free and independent. Bill proposes, Gail declines and Bill goes home to Bali. But a young girl, Rosie, and Tony the Window Cleaner, who dispels advice on every floor, soon have Gail thinking maybe she was a bit hasty with her no to Bill's proposal. Ere long she discovers that she does love Bill and can't live without him. She goes down to Bali to give him the good news. He learns that he is soon to marry Noel Van Ness. She goes back to New York City.

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Plot Keywords:

new york city | fortune teller | department store | island | happy birthday to you | 

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Taglines:

Those "Honeymoon In Bali"...UUUUUMFFF GIRLS...They've got what it takes!

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Genres:

Comedy | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 September 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

Are Husbands Necessary?

Filming Locations:

Bahamas

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of over 700 Paramount Productions, filmed between 1929 and 1949, which were sold to MCA/Universal in 1958 for television distribution, and have been owned and controlled by MCA ever since.

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Quotes

Gail Allen: Well... there aren't that many white women there, are there?
Bill 'Willie' Burnett: Not many.
Gail Allen: But a lot of Balinese girls...
Bill 'Willie' Burnett: Oh, a lot of them.
Gail Allen: A man like you, any man I mean, do you... er... I mean, do you marry those girls?
Bill 'Willie' Burnett: [Shakes his head] No.
Gail Allen: Oh. I... I... I suppose some of the men... I mean I suppose, er, I mean...
Bill 'Willie' Burnett: Well, you said you've seen the pictures.
Gail Allen: Do *you* have a girl out there?
Bill 'Willie' Burnett: Five.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in The Film Fan (1939)

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Soundtracks

"Happy Birthday to You"
Written by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill
Played on piano and Sung by Allan Jones

User Reviews

A delightful surprise

What a jewel to find! I bought a DVD for $1 to get a Cary Grant film, and this movie was included under the name "My Love for Yours." "Honeymoon in Bali" is a much better title. We watched it twice - the scene with the fortune teller is such fun when you know how the story line goes. Carolyn Lee as the little girl steals every scene she is in. For those of us who grew up with Fred MacMurray and "My Three Sons," this movie is a real surprise. MacMurray plays a wonderful romantic lead. The cameo appearance by Akim Tamiroff is a perfect bookend for the beginning and end of the film. The singing telegram boy is another classic moment. A film worth watching!