George Boyle
Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary? is a 1953 British comedy film written by Talbot Rothwell and directed by Maurice Elvey. The film stars Bonar Colleano as Commander Laurie Vining, an American soldier returning to England with his new wife, Gillian, played by Diana Decker. As the couple is about to embark on their honeymoon, Vining's ex-wife, played by Diana Dors, shows up and claims that they are still married, creating a hilarious predicament that unfolds throughout the film. With a talented cast, including David Tomlinson, Sid James, and Audrey Freeman, the movie offers a fun and light-hearted escape, although some critics found the plot to be slightly far-fetched and lacking in depth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Comedy, Farce |
| Language | English |
| Director | Maurice Elvey |
| Producer | David Dent |
| Screenplay | Talbot Rothwell |
| Based on | Play |
| Runtime | 1h 20m |
| Main Cast | Bonar Colleano, Diana Decker, Diana Dors, Sid James, David Tomlinson, Audrey Freeman, MacDonald Parke, Lou Jacobi, Hubert Woodward, Eileen Sands, Peter Butterworth |
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What You'll Learn
Honeymoon ruined by the arrival of the protagonist's ex-wife
In the 1953 film "Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary?", an American soldier's honeymoon is ruined by the arrival of his ex-wife, who insists that they are still married. Commander Laurie Vining, played by Bonar Colleano, is an American officer stationed in Britain who is returning to the country with his new wife, Gillian, for their honeymoon. As they are about to celebrate their first night together, Commander Vining's ex-wife, Candy, played by Diana Dors, arrives and announces that they are still legally married.
Under pressure, Commander Vining enlists the help of his co-pilot, Hank Hanlon (Sid James), and his lawyer, Frank Betterton (David Tomlinson). He tries to keep the situation a secret from his new wife, which only leads to more confusion and chaos. The film is a bedroom farce filled with slapstick comedy and silly predicaments.
Commander Vining's ex-wife, Candy, is described as a "gorgeous blonde" and a "scheming minx." She shows up unexpectedly at his hotel, insisting that they are still married and refusing to accept that their relationship is over. This creates a challenging situation for Commander Vining, who is now legally married to his new wife.
The film portrays the soldier's attempts to hide the truth from his new wife, the reactions of those around him, and the increasing chaos and confusion that ensues. It is a light-hearted and fun comedy, with some critics praising the performances of the cast, particularly Diana Dors, who exudes "100% sex appeal" in the role. However, some viewers found the premise silly and the film slightly forgettable.
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The ex-wife's insistence that they are still married
The 1953 film "Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary?" is a comedy that sees an American soldier, Commander Vining (played by Bonar Colleano), stationed in England, preparing to go on his honeymoon with his new wife, Gillian (Diana Decker). However, his plans are derailed when his ex-wife, Candy (a gorgeous blonde played by Diana Dors) shows up and insists that they are still married.
Commander Vining finds himself in a tricky situation, as he is now faced with two wives and a potential bigamy issue. His lawyer, Frank Betterton (David Tomlinson), does not help matters, and the film becomes a slapstick, silly farce as the men try to navigate this unexpected development.
Candy's insistence that she is still married to Commander Vining throws the commander into a panic. He enlists the help of his co-pilot, Hank Hanlon (Sid James), and together, they try to come up with a solution to this problem. The ex-wife's claim creates a great deal of confusion and chaos, which provides the main source of comedy in the film.
The arrival of the ex-wife and her insistence on still being married sets off a chain of farcical events, with the hapless Commander Vining trying to juggle two wives and keep his new wife from finding out about the potential bigamy. The situation becomes increasingly complicated and humorous as the men attempt to resolve the issue without causing further problems.
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The protagonist's buddies try to help him out of the situation
The protagonist's buddies, gum-chewing, wisecracking co-pilot Hank Hanlon (Sid James) and nervous, girl-shy lawyer Frank Betterton (David Tomlinson), try to help him out of his predicament. They enlist the help of the protagonist's new wife, Gillian (Diana Decker), who is described as a sweet girl eager to go on her honeymoon.
Together, they devise a plan to get rid of the ex-wife, Candy (Diana Dors). They try to reason with her, explaining that the protagonist is now married to another woman and that she needs to move on. However, Candy is stubborn and refuses to accept this. She insists that she is still married to the protagonist and creates a scene, threatening to ruin the honeymoon.
Hank and Frank then come up with a series of wacky schemes to try and get rid of Candy discreetly. They attempt to distract her, flatter her, and even try to bribe her to leave. Meanwhile, they do their best to keep the protagonist's new wife occupied and unaware of the chaos unfolding.
As the situation escalates, the buddies find themselves in over their heads, and their attempts to help only seem to make matters worse. Their schemes backfire, leading to hilarious misunderstandings and even more complications. Despite their best efforts, the ex-wife refuses to budge, and the protagonist is left struggling to salvage his honeymoon and his new marriage.
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The protagonist enlists the help of his co-pilot and lawyer
In the 1953 film "Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary?", an American soldier, Commander Vining, is stationed in England and is about to go on his honeymoon with his new wife, Gillian. However, his plans are derailed when his ex-wife, a stunning blonde, shows up and claims that they are still married. Faced with this dilemma, Commander Vining enlists the help of his co-pilot, Hank Hanlon, and his lawyer, Frank Betterton.
Hank Hanlon, played by Sid James, is described as a gum-chewing, wisecracking co-pilot who provides comic relief and a contrasting personality to the stoic Commander Vining. As the film unfolds, Hanlon's quick wit and irreverent humour become essential in navigating the unexpected turn of events.
On the other hand, Frank Betterton, played by David Tomlinson, is a nervous and girl-shy lawyer who adds to the film's comedic tone. Despite his profession, Betterton acts more like a goofball than a legal advisor, contributing to the overall slapstick and silly nature of the film.
Together, the trio embarks on a journey to resolve Commander Vining's marital predicament. They must not only deal with the ex-wife's unexpected appearance but also the potential fallout if the new wife discovers the truth. As the film progresses, the situation becomes more complicated, and the characters find themselves in increasingly absurd and humorous situations.
"Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary?" is a classic bedroom farce filled with humour and talented performances. While the premise may seem over the top, the actors' energy and commitment to their roles make it a fun and breezy comedy that audiences can enjoy.
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The film's light-hearted and comedic tone
The 1953 film "Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary?" is a light-hearted and comedic tale of a honeymoon gone awry. The story centres around an American soldier, Commander Laurie Vining, who is stationed in England and about to embark on his honeymoon with his new wife, Gillian. However, things take a turn for the worse when his ex-wife, a gorgeous blonde, shows up and claims that they are still legally married. The film follows the soldier and his buddies as they try to navigate this awkward and humorous predicament.
The film has been described as a "breezy comedy" with "cracking performances delivered with palpable energy". It is a farcical story that embraces the ridiculous, with one reviewer noting that it is silly and goofy. The script is generally lively, providing easy laughs, and the talented cast, including Bonar Colleano, Diana Decker, David Tomlinson, and Sid James, deliver comedic performances that enhance the light-hearted tone.
Commander Vining, played by Bonar Colleano, is described as "flashy and lively" in his portrayal of the embarrassed husband on his second honeymoon. David Tomlinson, a well-known stage actor at the time, delivers a classic "worm that turns" performance as the hapless Frank Betterton. The supporting cast also contributes to the comedic tone, with Sid James playing the Commander's "dumb buddy" with enthusiasm.
The film's light-hearted tone is further emphasised by its playful title, which is a twist on the wartime poster question, "Is Your Journey Really Necessary?". While the title may not perfectly fit the plot, it captures the playful and humorous spirit of the film.
Overall, "Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary?" is a fun and light-hearted comedy that delivers laughs and entertainment. While it may not be a memorable masterpiece, it successfully captures the spirit of a farcical comedy and provides a delightful watch, especially for fans of classic British humour.
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Frequently asked questions
The film is about an American soldier/pilot, Commander/Officer Laurie Vining, who is stationed in England and is about to go on his honeymoon with his new wife, Gillian. However, his ex-wife, a gorgeous blonde, shows up and insists that they are still married, creating a predicament for the soldier and his buddies/co-pilot.
The film stars Bonar Colleano as Commander Vining, Diana Decker as his new wife Gillian, and Diana Dors as his ex-wife. Other cast members include David Tomlinson, Sid James, Audrey Freeman, and Leslie Dwyer.
The film is a comedy/farce, with slapstick humour and silly situations. It is based on a play and has been described as "fun" and "breezy" with "cracking performances."
Yes, the film is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
