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This 1949 drama is a superb example of the glossy entertainment that big Hollywood studios once turned out effortlessly, without enormous budgets or media hype to make it “important.” Written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz (All About Eve), it centers on three housewives in Westchester, New York, each jealous of the soulless she-wolf who grew up with their respective husbands. The vicious temptress writes a letter to all three wives (played by Jeanne Crain, Linda Darnell, and Ann Sothern), claiming to have run off with one of the husbands but refusing to say which one. The suspense is unbearable, not only for the wives but also for the film’s viewers, who get the chance to figure out which hubby is most susceptible, based on flashbacks involving all three couples. Mankiewicz, wisely, never shows the Other Woman, but her voice (reading the letter) is that of Celeste Holm. A young Kirk Douglas is memorable as the sober-minded professor of literature embarrassed by Sothern’s writing of soap operas. Stage actor Paul Douglas (no relation) makes a strong feature-film debut as the blustery, not-too-bright tycoon married to Darnell. The three female leads are terrific, with the often-underrated Crain turning in a surprisingly affecting performance. Script, direction, acting, and production mounting -- much of the movie was shot on location in New York -- are all top-drawer. This is one of those films that always elicit remarks like, “They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.” And indeed, they don’t. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide

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

Product Details

• UPC: 024543131397
• Source: 20TH CENTURY FOX
• Region Code: 1
• Presentation: Pan & Scan
• Editions: Subtitled, Dubbed
• Time: 1:43:00
• Sales Rank: 9,377

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