My Favorite Wife
My Favorite Wife

My Favorite Wife

1940Movie88 minEnglish

Years after she was presumed dead in a shipwreck, Ellen Arden returns home to the surprise of her husband recently remarrying. But he too gets a shock when he learns that Ellen spent her time alone on an island with another man.

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Insights

IMDb7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Director: Garson KaninGenres: Comedy, Romance

Plot Summary

A man's life is complicated when his supposedly deceased wife returns after he has remarried. Ellen Arden, presumed dead after being lost at sea for seven years, reappears just as her husband, Nick Arden, is about to have his marriage to his new wife, Bianca, annulled. This creates a comedic love triangle as Nick tries to navigate the situation and win back his original wife's affections.

Critical Reception

My Favorite Wife was a critical and commercial success upon its release, praised for its witty script and the sparkling chemistry between its leads. It is considered a classic screwball comedy and has maintained its status as a beloved film for its humor and entertaining premise.

What Reviewers Say

  • Delightfully witty and fast-paced romantic comedy.
  • Cary Grant and Irene Dunne are perfectly cast and share excellent chemistry.
  • A clever plot with memorable comedic situations.

Google audience: Audience reception is overwhelmingly positive, with viewers frequently highlighting the film's enduring humor, charming performances, and engaging romantic entanglements.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Fun Fact

The film's original premise was inspired by the story of Homer's "The Odyssey," with Nick Arden being Odysseus and Ellen Arden being Penelope.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Whilst it has it's moments; this is really quite a jaded comedy romance. Cary Grant ("Nick") has just married "Bianca" (Gail Patrick) when his previous, presumed dead, wife "Ellen" (Irene Dunne) who went missing seven years earlier in a shi...