Holiday for Lovers

Holiday for Lovers

Year: 1959

Runtime: 103 mins

Language: English

Director: Henry Levin

Comedy

Clifton Webb stars as a stern, conservative father who leads an American family on a comedic vacation to South America. Directed by Henry Levin, the 1959 comedy also features Jane Wyman, Jill St. John, Carol Lynley, Paul Henreid, Gary Crosby, Henny Backus, Wally Brown, Gardner McKay and Jose Greco, delivering a lively, upbeat holiday adventure.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Holiday for Lovers (1959)

Trace every key event in Holiday for Lovers (1959) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Meg joins a four-week South American tour

Robert, a traditional psychologist, reluctantly agrees to Meg's four-week South American tour to keep his family together. He frets about losing control as Meg begins to assert independence and adopt new habits. The family unit is strained as the trip begins.

early in Meg's tour South America
2

Robert travels to Brazil with his wife and Betsy

Upon learning that Meg intends to stay six more weeks in São Paulo, Robert travels to Brazil with Mary and Betsy to confront her changes. They hope to understand Meg's changes firsthand and steer her back toward college life. The journey marks the start of a tense family confrontation in a foreign country.

early in the extended stay in São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil
3

Robert arrives in São Paulo and is displeased with Meg's changes

Robert arrives in São Paulo and is quickly displeased with Meg's transformation, including her smoking and bohemian circle. He misreads her closeness to Eduardo Barroso as romantic interest, even though she is actually engaged to Barroso's son, Carlos. The cultural clash highlights the gulf between Meg's independence and Robert's control.

upon arrival São Paulo, Brazil
4

Betsy falls for Paul Gattling while Meg's siblings bring tension

Betsy, meanwhile, enjoys attention from members of the U.S. Air Force and falls for Sgt. Paul Gattling. The romance provides a counterpoint to Meg's unfolding relationships and the parents' worries. Betsy is buoyed by the attention but unsettles her father as well.

during Brazil stay hotel in Brazil
5

Carlos avoids Meg's parents; trip is arranged to Rio and Lima

Carlos resists meeting Meg's parents, fearing their disapproval of his bohemian lifestyle. To prevent further interference, Robert arranges a flight itinerary that takes the family from Rio de Janeiro to Lima. The move forces Meg to face the consequences of her choices away from home.

before the Lima leg Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Lima, Peru
6

Meg feels betrayed and says goodbye to Carlos

Feeling betrayed by her father, Meg calls Carlos to say goodbye. Carlos accuses her of following in her father's path and of abandoning her own life for others. The charged moment deepens the rift between Meg and her family.

during the farewell in Lima Lima, Peru
7

Lima bullfight reunion; Paul proposes to Betsy

Carlos and Eduardo catch up with Meg in Lima, and they are reunited at a bullfight that becomes the emotional hinge of the trip. Paul arrives and proposes to Betsy, who declines, saying she is not ready to marry. The social whirl in Lima exposes competing pressures on each young person.

during Lima stay Lima, Peru
8

Return plans to São Paulo; Meg allowed to stay with Carlos

Eduardo and Carlos announce they will return to São Paulo the next day, and Robert reluctantly agrees to let Meg accompany Carlos. The plan signals a tentative reconciliation with Meg's new life in Brazil. The family dynamic remains fractured but hopeful.

the next day Lima, Peru
9

Robert drinks and wakes on a plane bound for Madrid

After bidding Meg farewell, Robert goes to a bar, gets drunk, and falls unconscious on the street, mistaken for a member of a Spanish tour group. He wakes up to find himself on a plane bound for Madrid, setting off a cross-continental drift for the family. The surreal misadventure strips away the veneer of parental certainty.

that night Lima, Peru
10

Madrid stop; eventual drop-off in Trinidad

The plane continues on to Madrid, but Robert is soon dropped off in Trinidad, far from his planned destination. He phones Meg from Trinidad to offer his blessing as she and Carlos prepare to leave Lima. The moment bridges the gulf between his fear and her autonomy.

during the flight/transition Madrid, Spain and Trinidad
11

Robert phones Meg; she no longer loves Carlos

From Trinidad, Robert phones Meg to offer sincere blessing for her to marry Carlos, but Meg reveals she no longer loves him. The emotional turning point reshapes Meg's path and frees her from Carlos's influence. It also reveals how far the family has drifted from its original plans.

shortly after arrival in Trinidad Trinidad
12

Betsy seeks permission to wed Paul; engagement finalized

Betsy asks Robert for permission to wed Paul, and he concedes that she is old enough to decide her own life. He affirms her independence, and Betsy and Paul become officially engaged.

later that night Trinidad

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 12:14

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Holiday for Lovers Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Holiday for Lovers

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