

Holiday for Lovers
Clifton Webb as a strict, conservative father heads the cast of this 1959 comedy, about an American family vacationing in South America. Directed by Henry Levin, the film also features Jane Wyman, Jill St. John, Carol Lynley, Paul Henreid, Gary Crosby, Henny Backus, Wally Brown, Gardner McKay and Jose Greco.
Insights
Plot Summary
Robert Dean, a stern and emotionally distant psychiatrist, travels to the Costa Rican coast to retrieve his daughter, Carol, from her impending marriage to a local fisherman. He intends to impress her new fiancé and his family, hoping to subtly sabotage the wedding. However, his plans are complicated by the unexpected charm of the local culture and his own repressed romantic desires, which begin to resurface.
Critical Reception
Holiday for Lovers received mixed reviews upon its release. While some critics praised its intentions and the performances of its lead actors, others found the plot predictable and the tone inconsistent. Audiences generally found it to be a light, albeit somewhat dated, romantic comedy.
What Reviewers Say
- The film offers a visually pleasant escape with some charming moments.
- Clifton Webb's performance anchors the narrative, though the story itself is unremarkable.
- The romantic elements are somewhat contrived and lack genuine emotional depth.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this film, but available comments suggest it's a pleasant, if unmemorable, romantic drama from the late 1950s, often cited for its scenic setting.
Fun Fact
The film was shot on location in Costa Rica, a relatively uncommon choice for Hollywood productions at the time, adding a touch of exoticism to its setting.
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