My Favorite Wife is a 1940 screwball comedy film directed by Garson Kanin. The movie stars Irene Dunne as a woman who returns to her husband, played by Cary Grant, after being shipwrecked on a tropical island for several years and declared legally dead. The story is based on Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem "Enoch Arden." The film was a success for RKO Pictures and features a supporting cast including Gail Patrick and Randolph Scott. Cary Grant's scene in the elevator with Irene Dunne was later recreated in the film "Move Over, Darling" and in the 1998 version of "The Parent Trap." The movie blends comedy with elements of romance and marital complications.
Plot
The plot of My Favorite Wife revolves around Ellen Arden, played by Irene Dunne, who is declared legally dead after being lost at sea for seven years. She returns to find her husband Nick Arden, portrayed by Cary Grant, who has just remarried. The comedic chaos ensues as Ellen tries to win back her husband while dealing with the complications of her extended absence. The film explores themes of love, marriage, and the challenges of rekindling a relationship after a long separation. With witty dialogue and humorous situations, My Favorite Wife is a classic screwball comedy that keeps audiences entertained with its clever twists and turns.
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Cast
- Irene Dunne as Ellen
- Cary Grant as Nick
- Randolph Scott as Burkett
- Gail Patrick as Bianca
- Ann Shoemaker as Ma
- Scotty Beckett as Tim
- Donald MacBride as hotel Clerk
director: Garson Kanin
writer: Bella Spewack
genre: Comedy
Release Date (Theaters): May 2, 1940
Release Date (Streaming): APR 1, 2012
Distributor: RKO radio Pictures
Theme
The theme of My Favorite Wife revolves around love, marriage, and the challenges of rekindling a relationship after a long separation. The film explores the complications that arise when a husband, played by Cary Grant, discovers that his wife, played by Irene Dunne, is not actually dead as he had believed, but has returned after being shipwrecked on a tropical island for several years. The story is based on Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem "Enoch Arden" and features witty dialogue and humorous situations as the couple tries to navigate their way back to each other. The film is a classic screwball comedy that blends comedy with elements of romance and marital complications.
Reception
My Favorite Wife received positive reception upon its release in 1940. The film was a success for RKO Pictures and featured a strong cast, including Cary Grant and Irene Dunne, who were known for their comedic timing and on-screen chemistry. The film's witty dialogue and humorous situations were praised by critics and audiences alike, and it remains a classic screwball comedy to this day. The film's blend of comedy with elements of romance and marital complications made it a popular choice for audiences, and it continues to be enjoyed by fans of classic cinema.
Production Challenge
My Favorite Wife faced several production challenges during its filming. The film was initially intended to be directed by LEO McCarey, but he was replaced by Garson Kanin after disagreements with the studio. Additionally, the film faced legal challenges when the original script, which was based on the play "Second Wife," was found to be too similar to the play "The man in Possession." The studio was forced to settle with the play's authors, and the film's title was changed to "My Favorite Wife." Despite these challenges, the film was completed and released in 1940, where it received positive reception from audiences and critics alike.
Setting
The settings in My Favorite Wife include various locations that contribute to the storyline of the film. The movie is set in a mix of urban and tropical settings, reflecting the contrast between the everyday life of the characters and the exotic backdrop of Ellen's time on a deserted island. The urban settings provide a backdrop for the comedic and romantic interactions between the characters, while the tropical island setting adds an adventurous and unconventional element to the story. These settings play a crucial role in shaping the tone and atmosphere of the film, creating a dynamic backdrop for the unfolding events and relationships depicted in "My Favorite Wife."
Visual Styles & Techniques
The visual style and techniques in My Favorite Wife align with the characteristics of screwball comedy films. This genre typically includes visual gags, wacky characters, fast-paced improbable plots, rapid-fire dialogue, and one-liners reflecting sexual tensions and conflicts in relationships. The film features eccentric characters, slapstick humor, mistaken identities, and a frantic conclusion typical of screwball comedies. Additionally, screwball comedies often involve wealthy individuals behaving oddly despite the hardships of the era. The genre focuses on a battle of the sexes where protagonists try to outwit each other in a light-hearted and frothy manner. My Favorite Wife showcases these elements through its comedic situations, witty dialogue, and eccentric characters like Ellen and Nick, played by Irene Dunne and Cary Grant respectively.
Trivia & Fun Fact
- Cary Grant was born Archibald Alexander Leach in Bristol, England, on January 18, 1904.
- The film was directed by Garson Kanin, who replaced Leo McCarey after disagreements with the studio.
- The original script was based on the play "Second Wife," but it was found to be too similar to the play "The Man in Possession." The studio had to settle with the play's authors, and the film's title was changed to "My Favorite Wife."
- The film is an adaptation of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem "Enoch Arden," and the main characters' last name is Arden in tribute to the poet.
- The supporting cast includes Randolph Scott as the man with whom Ellen was marooned and Gail Patrick as the woman Nick has just married when his first wife returns.
- The film was RKO's second-biggest hit of 1940, earning a profit of $505,000.
- The film's cast includes Irene Dunne as Ellen, Cary Grant as Nick, Randolph Scott as Burkett, Gail Patrick as Bianca, Ann Shoemaker as Ma, Scotty Beckett as Tim, Donald MacBride as Hotel Clerk, and Gail Patrick as Bianca.
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