A Letter to Three Wives (1949) | |
| Director(s) | Joseph L. Mankiewicz |
| Producer(s) | Sol C. Siegel |
| Top Genres | Drama, Film Adaptation, Mystery, Romance |
| Top Topics | Book-Based, Husband Wife, Marriage, Romance (Drama) |
Featured Cast:
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)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Director | Joseph L. Mankiewicz | Won |
| Best Picture | 20th Century-Fox | Nominated |
| Best Writing | Joseph L. Mankiewicz | Won |
BlogHub Articles:
Jeanne Crain, Linda Darnell, and Ann Sothern receive “A Letter to Three Wives”
By Stephen Reginald on Sep 10, 2024 From Classic Movie ManJeanne 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 Dougl... Read full article
Jeanne Crain, Linda Darnell, and Ann Sothern receive “A Letter to Three Wives”
By Stephen Reginald on May 27, 2021 From Classic Movie ManJeanne 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 ManScreening 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 GardenA 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 ViragoDirected 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
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Quotes from
Porter Hollingsway: Strictly cash and carry.
Lora Mae Hollingsway: Isn't that what you wanted? Isn't that what you told me? "Out in the open. You made a good deal, kid." Did you every stop to think, Porter, that in over 3 years there's one word we've never said to each other, even in fun?
Porter Hollingsway: To you, I'm a cash register. You can't love a cash register.
Lora Mae Hollingsway: And I'm part of your inventory. You can't love that, either.
Porter Hollingsway: I asked you to marry me because I was crazy about you.
Lora Mae Hollingsway: You didn't even ask me!
Porter Hollingsway: I've been a good husband. You got everything you want.
Lora Mae Hollingsway: If you'd only asked me, if you'd only made me feel like a woman instead of a piece of merchandise!
Porter Hollingsway: Did you give me a chance to? All you ever showed me was your price tag.
Mr. Manleigh: Sadie may not realize it, but whether or not she thinks she's listening, she's being penetrated.
George Phipps: Good thing she didn't hear you say that.
Porter Hollingsway: It's a man's world. Yeah! See something you want, go after it and get it! That's nature. It's why we're made strong and women weak. Strong conquer and provide for the weak. That's what a man's for! Teach our kids that, there'd be more men!
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Facts about
At one point the film was called "A Letter to Four Wives". Upon submitting the adapted screenplay to 20th Century-Fox chief Darryl F. Zanuck, Joseph L. Mankiewicz mentioned that he found it too long and asked how he felt the movie could be shortened. "Take out one of the wives," Zanuck replied. Originally, the movie would have featured Anne Baxter as the fourth wife. Zanuck didn't feel Baxter's segment was as strong as the other three, so that one was cut.
"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.
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