A Letter to Three Wives (1949)

Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Starring Linda Darnell, Ann Sothern, Jeanne Crain, Kirk Douglas, Paul Douglas, Jeffrey Lynn, Thelma Ritter, Connie Gilchrist, Barbara Lawrence, Florence Bates, Hobart Cavanaugh, (voice) Celeste Holm.

Town flirt Addie Ross (never seen, but heard in voiceover by uncredited Holm) sends letters to three of her friends announcing that she has run off with one of their husbands, but no clue is offered as to which one. The majority of the film takes place in flashbacks, showing how the three friends became involved with the men in their lives, and how each of their relationships began showing signs of strain. Smart, mature writing and good performances carry this small but much-admired drama; standouts are Kirk Douglas as Sothern’s husband, whose integrity can’t be easily bargained with, and Ritter (who also went unbilled) as a loyal but sardonic maid. The conclusion hits a sour note of surrender, but that’s in part due to dated social customs. Mankiewicz picked up a pair of Academy Awards here for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay (based on the John Klempner story, “A Letter to Five Wives”—thank goodness for streamlining!). Paul Douglas’ first credited role.

80/100