Three Husbands

After suffering a fatal heart attack, confirmed bachelor Emlyn Williams (as Maxwell "Max" Bard) gives heavenly greeters his last wish - he would like to observe events on Earth for the next twenty-four hours. And, with good reason. Mr. Williams has left not only a will, but also letters to "Three Husbands" admitting affairs with each of their three wives. The three men are poker playing pals Shepperd Strudwick (as Arthur Evans), Robert Karnes (as Kenneth Whittaker), and Howard Da Silva (as Dan McCabe). Their respective wives are Ruth Warrick (as Jane), Vanessa Brown (as Mary), and Eve Arden (as Lucille).

Mr. Strudwick, who is having an affair with attractive Louise Erickson (as Matilda Clegg) nevertheless takes the news hard.

Mr. Da Silva thinks the letter is a dead man's a joke, until Ms. Arden hints otherwise. And, happily married Mr. Karnes becomes frantically jealous. The admissions of infidelity threaten all three marriages, as everyone wonders if Williams was writing the truth… This lighter, low-budget take on the hit "A Letter to Three Wives" (1949) is surprisingly adroit, for what it cost; though, obviously, it would have had a greater impact if done ten years earlier, or updated decades later. Williams leads a fine ensemble cast, with bartender Jerry Hausner, butler Benson Fong, and elevator man Frank Cady given memorable "bit" parts.

****** Three Husbands (3/8/51) Irving Reis ~ Emlyn Williams, Eve Arden, Shepperd Strudwick, Robert Karnes