A Letter to Three Wives Overview:

A Letter to Three Wives (1949) was a Drama - Romance Film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and produced by Sol C. Siegel.

The film was based on the novel Letter to Five Wives written by John Klempner published in 1945.

SYNOPSIS

A letter is received by three women from a mutual "friend" (voiced by the unseen Holm) informing them she has run off with one of their husbands. Each woman reflects, through flashbacks, on her marriage. A neat twist on a soapy formula.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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Academy Awards 1949 --- Ceremony Number 22 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best DirectorJoseph L. MankiewiczWon
Best Picture20th Century-FoxNominated
Best WritingJoseph L. MankiewiczWon
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BlogHub Articles:

Jeanne Crain, Linda Darnell, and Ann Sothern receive “A Letter to Three Wives”

By Stephen Reginald on May 27, 2021 From Classic Movie Man

Jeanne Crain, Linda Darnell, and Ann Sothern receive “A Letter to Three Wives” A Letter to Three Wives (1949) is an American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and starring Jeanne Crain, Linda Darnell, and Ann Sothern. The supporting cast includes Kirk Doug... Read full article


Screening of "A Letter to Three Wives" May 29 at Daystar Center

By Stephen Reginald on May 23, 2018 From Classic Movie Man

Screening of "A Letter to Three Wives" May 29 at Daystar Center A Letter to Three Wives (1949) Where: Daystar Center, 1550 S. State Street When: May 29, 2018 Time: 6:30 p.m. Hosted by Stephen Reginald A Letter to Three Wives (1949) is based on a novel by John Klempner. His novel was e... Read full article


A Letter to Three Wives (1949)

By Carol Martinheira on Sep 25, 2017 From The Old Hollywood Garden

A Letter to Three Wives (1949) On September 25, 2017 By CarolIn Uncategorized Joseph L. Mankiewicz was more than a film director. Joseph L. Mankiewicz was one of the greatest storytellers of all time. And if All About Eve (1950) guarantees him a place amongst Hollywood... Read full article


Classic Films in Focus: A LETTER TO THREE WIVES (1949)

By Jennifer Garlen on Dec 13, 2016 From Virtual Virago

Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, A Letter to Three Wives (1949) sets up its domestic drama with a perpetually absent antagonist who forces a trio of women to consider the central problems of their marriages. This approach makes the homewrecker as mysterious as she is troublesome, but it frees up th... Read full article


Classic Films in Focus: A LETTER TO THREE WIVES (1949)

By Jennifer Garlen on Dec 13, 2016 From Virtual Virago

Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, A Letter to Three Wives (1949) sets up its domestic drama with a perpetually absent antagonist who forces a trio of women to consider the central problems of their marriages. This approach makes the homewrecker as mysterious as she is troublesome, but it frees up th... Read full article


See all A Letter to Three Wives articles

Quotes from

George Phipps: The purpose of radio writing, as far as I can see, is to prove to the masses that a deodorant can bring happiness... a mouth wash guarantee success and a laxative attract romance.


Addie Ross: She won't stay mad at him for long. She's too much in love. Pretty soon she'll be full of self-reproach. Ha ha! Women are so silly.


Mrs. Finney: Of all the times to quit a job, just before Christmas with all the bills due and five months due on the icebox!
Sadie: You got to make up your mind whether you want your kids happy or your icebox paid up.


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Facts about

Joseph L. Mankiewicz had a real battle with the American censors at the time who would not permit him to use words like "laxative" and "toilet" in his script. He got his revenge with a famous double-entendre laden exchange which used words like "penetration" and "saturation".
"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on November 3, 1949 with Linda Darnell and Paul Douglas reprising their film roles.
"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on May 18, 1952 with Paul Douglas and Linda Darnell again reprising their film roles.
read more facts about A Letter to Three Wives...
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Best Director Oscar 1949






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Also directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz




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Also produced by Sol C. Siegel




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Also released in 1949




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