Dear Wife, from 1949, is an adorable little comedy I recently discovered in the "instant viewing" inventory of Net Flix. As I have long made known, I am a William Holden freak. He is my #1 guy, and it is my goal to see all of his movies. That is how I discovered this adorable, little-known movie. In addition to Bill Holden, the movie stars Edward Arnold, Joan Caulfield, and Mona Freeman.
Miriam Wilkins (Mona Freeman) is a politically-minded high school student. Always one to jump on board one cause or another, Miriam's latest plan is to draft a petition against the state senator for her district. Seems that a high-profile man keeps appointing his own choices for the state senate seats, and Miriam has had enough. She proposes that her brother-in-law, Bill Seacroft (William Holden), run for the seat. What Miriam doesn't know when she starts her petition drive is that her own father, Judge Harry Wilkins (Edward Arnold), has received the latest appointment, which would pit father-in-law against son-in-law in a primary election.
Bill tells his wife, Ruth, and the rest of the family that he has no intention of running for the office; however, after attending a dinner held by the "Seacroft for Senate" supporters, Bill changes his mind. He was made aware of the other side of a particular issue, and he wholeheartedly believes in that other side. To not run, would allow the judge to bulldoze ahead with a plan he, himself, opposes. So...Bill decides to stay in the race and oppose his father-in-law in the primary, which, of course, causes marital disharmony since Ruth must choose between her husband and her dad.
Dear Wife is totally cute and lots of fun. No, it's not hysterically funny. No, there aren't any deep belly laughs. But it is very cute. Edward Arnold is stellar in this role. And Bill Holden is in the most handsome years of his life. He is totally gorgeous here. The movie is worth watching just to look at him!
I don't think this movie is out on DVD, but, as I said, it IS available through Net Flix instant viewing. I hope you get a chance to watch it, because I feel sure you will enjoy it.
Happy viewing!!
