Fred MacMurray (1908–1991)

“Mama don’t want no peas, no rice, no coconut oil!”

This very warm and charming film is very special but not well known. Madeleine Carroll gives one of her best performances opposite Fred MacMurray, who also shines in this quietly affecting comedy-drama. A good screenplay from Virgina Van Upp, based on stories by Grace Sartwell Mason and Katharine Brust, and some nice photography from Ted Tetzlaff, make this film very satisfying.

Edward H. Griffith directed this film which is show more surprisingly good, sneaking up on the viewer until you are fully engrossed in a story which has a very real and mature feel to it. Edith Head dressed the elegant Madeleine Carroll and she was never lovelier than in “Honeymoon in Bali,” aka as “My Love For Yours.”

Gail Allen (Madeleine Carroll) runs Morrissey’s, an upscale department store. She has success and money and thinks she is happy with her life. Helen Broderick is her friend, Lorna Smith, a slightly older woman who writes novels of romance set in far away places. Allan Jones is the Met star who is Gail’s friend and escort. When Gail gets an astrological reading talking about marriage to a tall man with a cut on his arm — which includes a child — she laughs it off. But when she happens upon Bill Barnett (Fred MacMurray) in a boat store, who lives in Bali and just happens to have a cut on his arm, she begins to wonder.

While this may sound like the premise for a screwball type comedy, it is instead a warm and charming film with both humor and tenderness. The humor stems from Gail’s unwillingness to give up a successful career simply for love, especially with someone beneath her station, even if he does know how to enjoy life. Osa Massen is quite good as the pretty girl from Bali, Noel, who likes to enjoy life as well and wants to share the fun with “Willie.”

Bill has in his charge however a sweet little girl named Rosie (Carolyn Lee). She becomes attached to Gail, as Gail does to her. Despite a boat trip, Gail continues clinging to her life and success in the city rather than taking the plunge. Akim Tamiroff, however, as a wise old window washer, might influence her back toward Bali, but even if he does, it might be too late.

This film is full of quiet but very real moments, some humorous and some tender. It has a warmth and sincerity which is quite pleasing. A nice atmosphere is created through the elements of rain and snow in the city and the sunshine of the tropics. The story highlights the differences between what some consider success, and true happiness, and mirrors what Gail is torn between.

The entire cast is good in this little gem of a film. A light tone but a mature approach makes it unique. The pace is easy but not slow, the story allowed to develop just as in real life. Classic film fans will surely appreciate this one. It is also a good family film; a scene where Gail shows little Rosie how to pray is very sweet. There is some wry humor here and situations that will have you smiling a lot. All in all, this is a fine film and will be a real surprise if you haven't discovered it yet. show less