The Golden Honeymoon

Ring Lardner's delightful short story is vividly adapted by screenwriter Frederic Hunter in this charming 1980 made-for-TV production, directed with a light touch by Noel Black. James Whitmore, who throughout his career has specialized in the portrayal of unglamorous, impetuous, and coarse men, is perfectly cast as Charlie Tate, a boisterous braggart who takes his long-suffering wife Lucy (Teresa Wright) on vacation to Florida for their 50th wedding anniversary, only to run into Lucy's old beau, Frank Hartsell (Stephen Elliott), who lavishes attention on his former girlfriend—even though he's accompanied by his own wife, Cora (Nan Martin). The normally self-assured Charlie feels somewhat threatened by Frank's apparent interest, forcing him to engage in a comic competition for his own wife's attention. Whitmore's deft performance is matched by Wright's, which brims with her trademark grace, serenity, and gentle humor. Part of Monterey's acclaimed The American Short Story Collection, this is a simple story simply told, but one that nonetheless speaks volumes about the difficulties men often have in communicating with women. Recommended. [Note: also newly available on DVD in the collection are: Sherwood Andersen's I'm a Fool, Mary E. Wilkins Freeman's The Revolt of Mother, and Ernest Hemingway's Soldier's Home.] (E. Hulse)