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Once Upon a Honeymoon (1942)

A former showgirl in burlesque decides to go to Europe to find a wealthy man to marry. She meets in her match in a baron from Austria who she marries, but finds her honeymoon is interupted by countries falling to the Nazis.

Baroness Katherine Von Luber (Ginger Rogers) meets newspaper reporter Patrick O'Toole (Cary Grant) while he is under the guise of being a tailor. O'Toole believes his way into what goes on with the Nazis is through the Baroness and follows she and the baron while they're on their honeymoon and at the same time tries to convince her that the Baron (Walter Slezak) isn't the man she thinks he is.

The Great Dictator (1940) is probably the first glance we have through Hollywood at the Nazi party. To Be or Not To Be (1942) took a view of the Nazi party that made them look highly uncapable of doing anything. Then Once Upon a Honeymoon, which premiered in late 1942, gives us a look at concentration camps, tugs on our heartstrings as we follow the story of Katherine Von Luber's Jewish maid. It was really a humanistic look at the inner workings of the Nazi party as Americans perceived them to be.

Reviews

"There may be some critical controversy about Once Upon A Honeymoon, the new RKO-Radio picture starring Ginger Rogers and Cary Grant.

The film is a comedy. Yet it is about the Nazis and some critics are likely to point out tha tthe Nazis are not funny as they are pointed out, for example, in the case of To Be or Not To Be, which starred Jack Benny and the late Carole Lombard.

But Once Upon a Honeymoon avoids the mistakes that To Be Or Not To Be may have made in this respect. For it never attempts to make comedy use of the Nazis or their philosophy. It is only that the locale of the sotry is largely the Nazi dominated parts of Europe. In this locale, an altogether witty, clever, and entertaining comedy is enacted, with romance and drama interwoven.

Leo McCary lent one of Hollywood's finest directorial talents to the film, in which Grant gives one of his drollest characterizations. As for Miss Rogers' own performance, many a Hollywood previewer came out of the projection room calling it the best of her career, and declaring that if she hadn't recently won an academy award for Kitty Foyle, she would win it for Once Upon a Honeymoon..."

- Joe Fisher, Fresno Bee, December 20, 1942

Availability

This title is currently available in Digital On Demand and DVD from the Warner Archive.

Resources

Once Upon a Honeymoon on IMDb

Fast Facts

One of the first films to really talk about concentration camps.

Lines to Remember

Elsa: Oh, but madam, this is a long distance call from the United States. Mr. Brooklyn and Mr. Bronx.
Katie (Katherine Buttsmith): Oh, yes, Elsa, I've been expecting this call. Would you mind leaving the room please? Quickly. [In aristocratic accent] Hello, yes operator. Well this is Katharine Buttsmith speaking. I've been waiting a long time for this call, please put it through. Hello? [switches to Brooklyn accent] Hello Mama!
Mrs. O'Hara: Katie O'Hara! What's come over you spending your money like this? I could buy a washing machine with what this is costing you. Well, now that you've get me, tell me what's troubling you, darling?
Katie: I'm gonna be married, Mama. Gee, I wish you were here. I always imagined you'd be at my wedding, Mama.
Mrs. O'Hara: Is this a hasty marriage Katie? What's the hurry?
Katie: Well, he comes from a long line of wealthy Austrian people, Mama and they're all dead. He's the sole heir. Is he good enough for me? He's a baron. I'll be a baroness, Mama.
Mrs. O'Hara: I can't understand you Katie wanting to be a baroness. I knew them high falluting books you were always reading would do you no good. You were doing so well in burlesque. You were queen of them all. Be a baroness if you will, but I hope I can always say with pride, there goes the daughter of "flannel pants" O'Hara.
Katie: Okay, Mama! Goodbye Mama!

O'Toole: Wait a minute! You weren't ever in show business.were you?
O'Hara: Do you mean the theatre?
O'Toole: Yes, the theatre. I, uh, isn't that funny? I saw a girl in a show once just right off Broadway. She did one of those one, two, three hmm--one, two, three hmm--one, two, three zip! It couldn't have been you could it?
O'Hara: Hardly, dear me no!
O'Toole: Of course, it couldn't have been you, on account of your name is Miss Buttsmith.
O'Hara: The name is Buttsmith [Butesmith]. B-U-double T.
O'Toole: Yes, I'm terrribly sorry to pry into your affairs, but...
How can you do that? Now you wouldn't say Conneticute would you? Conneticute. Or can I have some bread and buter? [laughs]

O'Hara: Do you always take so much interest in your stories?
O'Toole: No, this is different.

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