''The Honeymoon Machine'' is a 1961 American

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

directed by

Richard Thorpe Richard Thorpe (born Rollo Smolt Thorpe; February 24, 1896 – May 1, 1991) was an American film director best known for his long career at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. His obituary called him "a capable and versatile director willing to take on any ass ...

and starring

Steve McQueen Terrence Stephen McQueen (March 24, 1930November 7, 1980) was an American actor. His antihero persona, emphasized during the height of counterculture of the 1960s, 1960s counterculture, made him a top box office draw for his films of the late ...

Brigid Bazlen Brigid Mary Bazlen (June 9, 1944 – May 25, 1989) was an American film, television and stage actress. Although she made only three Hollywood films, '' The Honeymoon Machine'', ''King of Kings'', and '' How the West Was Won'', she is still reme ...

, Jim Hutton, Paula Prentiss, Jack Mullaney and

Dean Jagger Dean Jagger (November 7, 1903 – February 5, 1991) was an American film, stage, and television actor who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Henry King's '' Twelve O'Clock High'' (1949). Early life Dean Jeffri ...

, based on the 1959 Broadway play ''The Golden Fleecing'' by Lorenzo Semple Jr. In the film, three men devise a plan to win at

roulette Roulette (named after the French language, French word meaning "little wheel") is a casino game which was likely developed from the Italy, Italian game Biribi. In the game, a player may choose to place a bet on a single number, various grouping ...

with a

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

computer. The scheme works until an admiral ruins their plans..

Plot

Civilian scientist Jason Eldridge runs Magnetic Analyzer Computing Synchrotron (MACS), a

vacuum tube A vacuum tube, electron tube, thermionic valve (British usage), or tube (North America) is a device that controls electric current flow in a high vacuum between electrodes to which an electric voltage, potential difference has been applied. It ...

computer aboard the United States Navy ship USS ''Elmira''. He and his friend Lieutenant Ferguson Howard realize that by using MACS to record a roulette table's spins over time, the computer can predict future results. With Eldridge, Howard and Lieutenant Junior Grade Beauregard Gilliam check into a Venice casino's hotel dressed as civilians, defying Admiral Fitch's order that naval officers on shore avoid the casino and wear uniforms. They plan to use signal lamps to communicate with a confederate manning MACS on the ''Elmira''. At the hotel, dedicated bachelor Howard meets and romances Julie Fitch, the admiral's daughter. Eldridge reunites with former girlfriend and heiress Pam Dunstan, who is in Venice to marry another man. The betting system is very effective, and the three men accumulate hundreds of thousands of dollars in

casino chips Casino chips (also known as poker chips, gaming tokens, or checks/cheques) are small discs used as currency in casinos. Larger, rectangular gaming plaques may be used for high-stakes games. Poker chips are also widely used as play money in ca ...

. The money gives Eldridge the confidence to propose to Dunstan. However, Admiral Fitch sees and investigates their signals. Soon the Navy, the American and Soviet consulates, and Venice city authorities are on alert for a "revolution". Signalman Burford Taylor finds their signal lamp, so the gamblers get him drunk to detain him, but Taylor escapes and reports to the admiral. Julie Fitch tells her father that she and Howard have "got to marry" each other to save him from court-martial. The Soviets accuse the Navy of using MACS to steal from the casino. To avoid an international incident, Howard agrees to intentionally lose all his chips on his last bet, but a brawl breaks out between Soviets, Americans and Italians in the casino over the chips. The movie ends with newlyweds Howard and Fitch celebrating their honeymoon in the hotel.

Cast

as Lt. Ferguson 'Fergie' Howard. McQueen was second choice for this role, after

Cary Grant Cary Grant (born Archibald Alec Leach; January 18, 1904November 29, 1986) was an English and American actor. Known for his blended British and American accent, debonair demeanor, lighthearted approach to acting, and sense of comic timing, he ...

turned the part down. *

as Julie Fitch * Jim Hutton as Jason Eldridge * Paula Prentiss as Pam Dunstan *

as Admiral Fitch *

Jack Weston Jack Weston (born Morris Weinstein; August 21, 1924 – May 3, 1996) was an American actor. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1976 and a Tony Award in 1981. Career Weston, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, usually played comic roles in fi ...

as Signalman Burford Taylor * Jack Mullaney as Lt. Beauregard 'Beau' Gilliam * Marcel Hillaire as Inspector of casino games * Ben Astar as Russian consul * William Lanteau as Tommy Dane * Ken Lynch as Capt. James Angle * Simon Scott as Capt. Harvey Adam

Reception

Bosley Crowther Francis Bosley Crowther Jr. (July 13, 1905 – March 7, 1981) was an American journalist, writer, and film critic for ''The New York Times'' for 27 years. His work helped shape the careers of many actors, directors and screenwriters, though some ...

, critic for ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' was unimpressed, writing, "It is a wild and labored operation, and when it finally comes to an end, one wonders whether it has even been bona fide farce." He did, however, appreciate the efforts of the main cast: "It profits by pleasant performers. Jim Hutton, Jack Mullaney and Steve McQueen work hard as the three connivers." Steve McQueen walked out of the first public sneak preview and vowed never to work for MGM again, despite being under contractual obligation for two more pictures.

Box Office

According to MGM records, the film made a profit of $122,000..

References

External links