Watch Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary
- 2020
- 1 hr 19 min
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5.7 (190)
Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary is a British comedy movie from 1953, directed by Maurice Elvey, starring Bonar Colleano, Diana Decker, and David Tomlinson. The movie revolves around the life of a Royal Air Force (RAF) officer, Jim Mooney (Bonar Colleano), stationed at an airbase in Germany, who goes on a leave and plans to have a honeymoon with his wife, Alice Mooney (Diana Decker), at a European beach resort.
The movie begins with Mooney and his friend, Harry Fitzroy (David Tomlinson), who is a flight lieutenant and a rival for Alice's affections, receiving leave from their commanding officer, Wing Commander Hardwick (Sidney James). Mooney is excited to finally be able to have a honeymoon with his wife after three years of marriage, during which they never had time to go away together. Alice wants to go to the beach resort called Schoblitz, to which Mooney agrees, despite the fact that Harry Fitzroy has already planned his own honeymoon there with his fiancé, Ginny.
On their way to Schoblitz, Mooney and Alice encounter several mishaps, which make their journey anything but smooth. The couple meets an American airman (Joi Lansing) who offers them a ride in her car. However, the car breaks down and Mooney has to find a way to continue the journey. They eventually get a ride on a military truck, but it quickly turns into a comedy of errors with many unforeseen events occurring during the trip.
When they finally arrive at Schoblitz, they find that all of the hotels are booked, and the couple has to stay in Ginny and Harry's hotel room for the night, which proves to be an awkward situation for all parties involved. Furthermore, the weather is so bad that they're unable to enjoy the beach, and the hotel is not what they expected, with faulty plumbing and other annoyances.
To make matters worse, Mooney and Alice are followed by a persistent military police officer, who believes that Mooney shouldn't be spending his leave with his wife and instead thinks that he should be drilling with the troops. The couple is at their wit's end and decides that maybe the honeymoon was not a good idea and they should return to the base.
While they're on their way back, they get lost in the woods, but eventually find their way back to their base, only to have their trip extended by Chief Medical Officer (Alec Mango), who insists on giving them a check-up before they can return to active duty. After the check-up and a lengthy delay, they return to base, happy to be back to the routine of military life.
The movie is a light-hearted comedy that will appeal to anyone who has experienced the trials and tribulations of travel. It captures the frustrations and absurdities experienced by travellers in the 1950s, including lost luggage, poor weather, and crowded accommodations. The movie also shows how the military was an integral part of life in post-war Britain and how the military hierarchy was firmly in place, even when dealing with love and romance.
The performances by the main cast are entertaining, particularly Bonar Colleano, who provides a believable portrayal of Jim Mooney as a frustrated and exasperated newlywed, trying to make the best of a bad situation. Diana Decker is charming as his wife Alice, and David Tomlinson adds comic relief to the mix as the bumbling Harry Fitzroy. The supporting cast is also notable, particularly Alec Mango, who delivers a hilarious performance as the Chief Medical Officer.
The movie is shot in black and white, which adds to the charm of its time period. The locations chosen for filming add to the authenticity of the travel experience, particularly the train journey and the military truck ride. The movie also includes some musical interludes, with Joi Lansing singing a seductive rendition of "The Web of Love"
In conclusion, Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary is a classic British comedy that will entertain viewers with its witty dialogue, hilarious situations, and memorable performances. The movie provides a glimpse into what life was like for military personnel in the 1950s, particularly the struggles they faced when trying to enjoy some time off. It's a must-watch for anyone who enjoys classic comedies and a welcome reminder of a bygone era of cinema.
Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary is a 2020 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.