A Letter To Three Wives (1949 Joseph L Mankiewicz & scr)

Let's sort out who's who first. Jeanne Crain  is the stranger to the group, married to Jeffrey Lynn. Ann Sothern is the radio writer married to teacher Kirk Douglas. And Linda Darnell is the girl from the wrong side of the tracks (in fact almost literally on the tracks), married to surly big shot Paul Douglas (Executive Suite, Clash By Night). Linda's sister is Barbara Lawrence, her mum is Connie Gilchrist and her friend and the maid is of course Thelma Ritter. (And for completists, the voice of Addie Ross is provided by Celeste Holm.)

Vera Caspary adapted the Cosmpolitan magazine novel by John Klempner and Mankiewicz screenwrote it (winning the Oscar). It's a very talky number, the only interesting thing cinematically the comedy audio effects which link each wife's reveries (and, I guess, the intriguing decision never to show Addie Ross). But actually is all about mini-crises in the lives of all the couples, and is successfully engaging.

Jeanne's character is rather wet, but great scene involving Sothern trying to impress radio station boss Florence Bates with dinner - she's grotesque. And Darnell forcing Douglas to marry her - he later says 'All you showed me was your price tag'. (The juddering house by the tracks is another great touch.)

Music by Lionel Newman, shot by Arthur Miller, for Fox.

Darnell, Sothern, Crain

I find Addie Ross's handwriting annoying - I bet she was annoying, too.