Too Many Husbands

Director: Wesley Ruggles Wesley Ruggles

Overview

In this adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's play Home and Beauty, socialite Jean Arthur is led to believe that her husband Fred MacMurray has drowned in a shipwreck. Arthur then marries Melvyn Douglas, which causes difficulties when MacMurray turns up alive.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/02/2013
UPC:	0043396424623
Original Release:	1940
Rating:	NR
Source:	ALLIED VAUGHN
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Sales rank:	48,888

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Jean Arthur	Vicky Lowndes
Fred MacMurray	Bill Cardew
Melvyn Douglas	Henry Lowndes
Harry Davenport	George
Dorothy Peterson	Gertrude Houlihan
Melville Cooper	Peter, the Butler
Edgar Buchanan	McDermott
Tom Dugan	Sullivan
Garry Owen	Sign Painter
Lee 'Lasses' White	Mailman
Mary Treen	Emma
William Brisbane	Lawyer
Sam McDaniel	Porter
Ralph Peters	Cab Driver
Walter Soderling	Customer
Jerry Fletcher	Man
Jacques Vanaire	Head Waiter
Dave Willock	Elevator Operator

Technical Credits

Claude Binyon

Wesley Ruggles	Director,Producer
Claude Binyon	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

"High concept" from the word go, Too Many Husbands is the kind of lightweight fluff that the marvelous Jean Arthur did between more substantial films like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and The Talk of the Town. The concept in question had been tried before and would be tried again, so it certainly is sturdy and has a certain appeal, but the screenwriters for this version never really found a way of lighting the fuse of inspiration. Not that there aren't amusing moments or stretches of funny dialogue; it's just that this kind of comedy needs to move like a skyrocket at all times. Fortunately, a top-notch trio of stars lend their considerable talents to this bit of frothiness, and they make the proceedings enjoyable. Fred MacMurray and Melvyn Douglas have a fine time as the rivals who find themselves friends, with MacMurray's quiet physical presence countering Douglas' slightly less imposing manner. Best of all is Arthur, hardly challenged by the material but giving it her all. Her rumba is priceless, but so are her reactions, her takes, and the way she manipulates that delicately throaty voice of hers. Inconsequential Husbands certainly is, but it still provides an opportunity to watch a well-matched set of stars play off of each other.