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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).

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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A Letter to Three Wives 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 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 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 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

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A Letter to Three Wives Quotes:

Mrs. Finney: "Good night, Mother dear, and don't wait up." If a daughter of mine ever really talked like that I'd cut her tongue out!
Mrs. Finney: Can't we have peace in this house even on New Year's Eve?
Sadie: You got it mixed up with Christmas. New Year's Eve is when people go back to killing each other.
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.
Porter Hollingsway: OK. OK, you win. I'll marry you. How about it?
Lora Mae Hollingsway: Thanks... for nothing.
Porter Hollingsway: Now what kind of an answer is that?
Lora Mae Hollingsway: I don't know. I just felt like it. That's all.
Porter Hollingsway: We'll do all right, kid. We're starting out where it takes most marriages years to get, out in the open. No jokers. You'll see. You've made a good deal, Lora Mae.
Mrs. Finney: [walking into the room] Lora Mae, honey, if you want me I'll be over at the Callahans' playing...
Lora Mae Hollingsway: Happy new year, Ma. We're gonna get married.
Mrs. Finney: ...Bingo!
[She faints]
Sadie: Look, I don't teach you about teachin'. Don't teach me about ducks.
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A Letter to Three Wives Facts
Anne Baxter's character in the film was to be named Martha.
"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.
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.
"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on February 20, 1950 with Paul Douglas and Linda Darnell reprising their film roles.
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".
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