Are Husbands Necessary?
George and Mary Elizabeth Cugat are about to celebrate their second wedding anniversary and dream of having a child. Although they live comfortably on George's earnings as a bank official, Liz's scatterbrained handling of their finances constantly puts them in jeopardy. Liz becomes jealous when George's former girl friend, Myra Ponsonby, comes for a visit with his party-loving friends Bill Stone, Cory Cartwright and Chuck, an artist, after which George spends the entire evening dancing at a nightclub with Myra.
Insights
Plot Summary
A wealthy and eccentric socialite, Alice, is convinced her husband, Arthur, is having an affair with his attractive secretary. Distrustful and prone to flights of fancy, Alice hires a private detective to follow Arthur, leading to a series of comical misunderstandings and chaotic situations. As Alice's suspicions escalate, she attempts various schemes to uncover the truth, all while Arthur tries to navigate her dramatic behavior and protect his professional life.
Critical Reception
Are Husbands Necessary? received a mixed reception upon its release. While some critics praised its lighthearted comedic tone and the performances of its lead actors, particularly Claudette Colbert, others found the plot to be predictable and somewhat dated, even for its time. Audience response was generally mild, with the film appealing more to those seeking a simple screwball comedy rather than anything groundbreaking.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its charming lead performances and light comedic touch.
- Found by some to be a formulaic and uninspired romantic comedy.
- An enjoyable, albeit forgettable, escapist film from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Google audience: N/A
Fun Fact
The film was based on the 1940 novel of the same name by Holloway Horn.
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