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A Letter to Three Wives

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A Letter to Three Wives

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Summary

Drama starring Jeanne Crain, Linda Darnell and Ann Sothern. Three wives are forced to re-examine their marriages when they each receive a letter from a woman who claims to have run off with one of their husbands. But she does not reveal which one.

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Review

A star rating of 4 out of 5.

Tony Sloman

Writer/director Joseph L Mankiewicz won Oscars for his direction and screenplay for this witty and sophisticated forgotten classic, which remains one of the key American films about the problems of marriage. Today, the clever framing device may seem a little arch, but there's no denying the strength of the central idea of three women receiving a letter from Addie Ross, the town floosie, who claims to have absconded with one of their husbands. You never see her, but her beautifully undulating voice is that of Celeste Holm. There's a structure problem, too; frankly, as the couples are so irritating, do you really care? Nevertheless, if the plot carries you along then this is an intelligent, almost anti-Hollywood movie, largely filmed on location in Westchester, New York. Paul Douglas makes a fine film debut, and the other Douglas, Kirk, demonstrates his star potential. Linda Darnell looks ravishing, but the movie is stolen by clever Thelma Ritter.

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7.6/10

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Credits

Cast

rolenameDeborah BishopJeanne CrainLora May HollingswayLinda DarnellRita PhippsAnn SothernGeorge PhippsKirk DouglasPorter HollingswayPaul DouglasBabeBarbara LawrenceBrad BishopJeffrey LynnMrs FinneyConnie GilchristMrs ManleighFlorence BatesMr ManleighHobart CavanaughAddie RossCeleste Holm

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Crew

rolenameDirectorJoseph L Mankiewicz

Details

Languages

English | Spanish

Available on

video, DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Black and white

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