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A Letter to Three Wives
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Synopsis
Three wives, played by Jeanne Crain, Ann Sothern and Linda Darnell, are about to embark on a boat trip when each receives a letter, written by a mutual friend named Addie, informing her that Addie is about to run off with one of their husbands. In flashback, each wife wonders if it is her marriage that is in jeopardy. Deborah (Crain) recounts her fish-out-of-water relationship with her up-and-coming hubby (Jeffrey Lynn); businesswoman Rita (Sothern) asks herself if she's been too rough on her professorial spouse (Kirk Douglas); and Lora May (Darnell), a girl from (literally) the wrong side of the tracks, questions the security of her marriage to a brash business executive (Paul Douglas). The voice of Addie, who is never seen, is provided by Celeste Holm. Thelma Ritter shows up in a hilarious unbilled bit as a slatternly domestic, while an equally uncredited Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer makes a quick entrance and exit as a bellhop. Written with perception and not a little witty condescension by director Joseph L. Mankiewicz, A Letter to Three Wives won two Oscars ,both for Mankiewicz. Based on a novel by John Klempner, the property was remade for television in 1985, with Ann Sothern back again in a supporting part. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer Messenger
Florence Bates Mrs. Manleigh
Joe Bautista Thomasino
Pat Brady Kathleen
Ralph Brooks Character
Hobart Cavanaugh Mr. Manleigh
Jeanne Crain Deborah Bishop
Linda Darnell Lora May Hollingsway
Paul Douglas Porter Hollingsway
Connie Gilchrist Mrs. Finney
Stuart Holmes Old Man
Barbara Lawrence Babe
Jeffrey Lynn Brad Bishop
Thelma Ritter Sadie
Ann Sothern Rita Phipps
Ruth Vivian Miss Hawkins
John Davidson Waiter
Kirk Douglas George Phipps
James Adamson Butler
George Offerman Nick

Production Crew

Lyle Wheeler Art Director
Russell J. Spencer Art Director
John Klempner Book Author
Arthur C. Miller Cinematographer
Alfred Newman Composer (Music Score)
Kay Nelson Costume Designer
Joseph L. Mankiewicz Director
J. Watson Webb, Jr. Editor
Gaston Glass First Assistant Director
Ben Nye, Sr. Makeup
Alfred Newman Musical Direction/Supervision
Sol C. Siegel Producer
Joseph L. Mankiewicz Screenwriter
Vera Caspary Screenwriter
Thomas K. Little Set Designer
Walter Scott Set Designer
Arthur L. Kirbach Sound/Sound Designer
Roger Heman Sound/Sound Designer
Fred Sersen Special Effects
Year: 1949
Runtime: 103
Country: USA
MPAA Rating:
Category: Feature

Genre
Comedy Drama

Produced by
20th Century Fox
Sol C. Siegel

Release
by 20th

Awards
1948 - 10 Best Films - Film Daily
1948 - 10 Best Films - New York Times
1949 - Best Picture - Academy
1949 - Best Picture - National Board of Review
1949 - Best Picture - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie
1949 - Best Picture - National Board of Review