| Overall Grade: |
B |
|
| Story: |
B |
|
|
| Acting: |
A- |
|
|
| Direction: |
B+ |
|
|
| Visuals: |
B+ |
|
|
The 1948 version of "Desperate Housewives"
by Rob L (movies profile)
Feb 20, 2008
"Letter to Three Wives" is an intriguing, very watchable, worthwhile movie. I saw it on TV last week.
It really did remind me of "Desperate Housewives"--only black-and-white and 60 years ago. Three suburban women friends receive a letter from Addy Ross, who has a history with each of their husbands. Addy says she's leaving town and taking one of their husbands with her.
None of the 3 can contact her husband for a while--they are just leaving with some children on a field trip--so each must wonder if it's her husband. Most of the movie is told in flashbacks, as we explore the dynamics of each of the 3 marriages.
Even though she narrates the first part of the movie and sets the whole thing in motion, Addy Ross is never seen. She is voiced by Celeste Holm.
Perhaps the most familiar face is that of Kirk Douglas as one the husbands, a university professor.
The acting and dialogue are top-notch. My favorite part was seeing the way Lora Mae (Linda Darnell) worked the courtship with her future husband, a rich, somewhat older entrepreneur and her ticket out of the poor side of town. She makes him want her; at one point, she manufactures a tear in her stockings, which accomplishes 2 things: he gets a glimpse of her shapely legs; and he ends up buying her new nylons.
The movie's cool as a period piece. I don't think the word "divorce" is ever said, but it's certainly implied.
I would probably have looked at this movie a lot differently if I'd been around and seen it back when it was first released. To me, the biggest flaw was the rather abrupt (I thought) way that it ended. I was expecting more to the payoff. But at least, it is revealed which husband has flown the coop.
Overall, I recommend it, especially if you like movies from this period. |
My Public Profile 
