Murder on a Honeymoon

Murder on a Honeymoon

Year: 1935

Runtime: 74 mins

Language: English

Director: Lloyd Corrigan

ComedyMystery

When a passenger on a seaplane collapses and dies, an amateur sleuth suspects foul play. The film follows the clever schoolteacher Hildegarde Withers, played by Edna May Oliver, and New York Police Inspector Oscar Piper, portrayed by James Gleason, as they investigate the mystery. It is the third and final entry in their series of crime‑solving adventures.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Murder on a Honeymoon (1935)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Murder on a Honeymoon (1935). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Catalina Island

Catalina Island is a sunny getaway off the California coast, serving as the isolated setting for the mystery. The story unfolds on a seaplane flight to the island and within a seaside hotel, creating a claustrophobic backdrop for secret motives. Its resort atmosphere provides the perfect stage for disguises, accusations, and sudden murders.

🏝️ Island 🧭 Travel

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:53

Main Characters – Murder on a Honeymoon (1935)

Meet the key characters of Murder on a Honeymoon (1935), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Hildegarde Withers (Edna May Oliver)

A sharp, witty detective fellow passenger who quickly suspects poisoning and forces the investigation to take shape. She uses keen observation, bold moves, and audacious ideas—like seizing clues from the mail and eavesdropping on conversations—to illuminate the truth. Her persistence keeps the case from slipping into a convenient but false narrative.

🕵️‍♀️ Detective 🔎 Investigation 🧠 Intelligence

Inspector Oscar Piper (James Gleason)

A trusted New York inspector who flies to Catalina to assist Withers and safeguard her from mob retaliation. He brings professional experience, a steadier approach, and practical questions that push the investigation forward. His collaboration with Withers helps connect the dots when suspects try to mislead them.

👮 Police 🧭 Deduction

Roswell T. Forrest (Brooks Benedict)

A gangster who has a price on his head and is entwined in the murder plot as a potential victim and target. He registers at the hotel under an alias, creating confusion and a motive for multiple parties. His true involvement becomes clearer as the investigation unfolds, revealing the deeper schemes at play.

💼 Crime Boss 🎭 Deception

Tom Kelsey (George Meeker)

Forrest's bodyguard who is killed early on, later revealed to have swapped identities with Forrest. His death sets off a chain of revelations about disguises and the true target of the plot. He embodies the danger that lurks behind every trusted ally in a high-stakes conspiracy.

🛡️ Bodyguard 🕵️‍♂️ Identity

McArthur (Morgan Wallace)

A gangster who orchestrates murders to collect rewards and manipulate outcomes. He registers under an alias, confronts Withers, and ultimately dies when his plan unravels. His dual role as mastermind and insider drives the suspense and twists of the plot.

🕴️ Mobster 💰 Money

Kay Deving (Dorothy Libaire)

The widow of Marvin Deving who becomes entangled in the murder scheme. She triggers tense moments with a cigarette, and she participates in the scheme that eventually leads to McArthur's downfall. Her actions reflect the danger and volatility of those drawn into the criminal plot.

💃 Widow 💣 Danger

Marvin Deving (Harry Ellerbe)

Kay Deving's husband, whose information is sought by investigators and who is killed before he can reveal crucial details. His death underscores the deadly stakes of the conspiracy and the escalating violence of the pursuit for reward and control.

💔 Victim 🕯️ Motive

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:53

Major Themes – Murder on a Honeymoon (1935)

Explore the central themes of Murder on a Honeymoon (1935), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♀️ Detective Work

The film centers on Withers and Piper as they unravel a tangled web of lies. Clever observation and cautious deduction drive the investigation, turning everyday hotel interactions into potential evidence. The mystery hinges on who among the passengers can be trusted, and the detectives’ persistence slowly pierces the illusion of innocence.

💰 Motives and Money

A $10,000 reward and a buried envelope propel the plot, exposing greed and the lengths people will go to secure wealth. The pursuit of money leads to misdirection, staged deaths, and shifting loyalties among suspects. Cash becomes a literal and figurative catalyst for murder.

☠️ Deception and Identity

Identity is weaponized through swapped personas and disguises, complicating who is truly culpable. The deaths and near-misses hinge on misattributions, as characters hide their real names and intentions. The unraveling of these deceptions exposes the true chain of command behind the crimes.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:53

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Murder on a Honeymoon Summary

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Murder on a Honeymoon Summary

Murder on a Honeymoon Timeline

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Murder on a Honeymoon Timeline

More About Murder on a Honeymoon

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