MovieChat Forums > A Letter to Three Wives (1949) Discussion > Linda Darnell

Linda Darnell

posted 17 years ago by Dhmdowntown-1
17 replies | jump to latest

This is one of those films one returns to again and again because it has so much in it. The whole cast is cleverly chosen and well directed but What a surprise Linda Darnell was! As Fox's resident smouldering brunette she was always welcome on screen but at last she was here given a chance to play comedy and her scenes with Paul Douglas are delicious, especially during the courting period before they are married. Darnell uses sarcasm and irony to the manner born and points each line superbly. Her laconic summing up of herself "Ma, what I got don't need beads" is a great line superbly delivered. What a pity she was not given more to do in the way of acting -Mankiewicz was good with actresses and could always get the best out of them - but Darnell was never given a chance to develop from playing sluts or femmes fatale. Pity!

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[–] PenTheater 16 years ago

The DVD includes a A&E Biography of her on it, nice (but tragic) little extra.

She smoked!

Acussed here of being a 12YO or an 8YO, as if either of those were bad things!

[–] jerseyd1 15 years ago

Yea, apparently she drank, too.

[–] JavierBoredom 15 years ago

The A&E Biography program featured on the "Three Wives" DVD is excellent. Highly recommended to all Darnell fans.

Amazing to think she was only 25 when she turned in this performance.

[–] gcatelli 16 years ago

it was fascinating to watch this 'beauty' outwit, and finally conquer, the loudly chauvenistic 'beast', Paul Douglas.

[–] deadpan_diva 16 years ago

Linda is great in this movie. Everytime I see it I want to cover my face with a paper bag though. She is stunning.

Dearie Dot Dot Dotdo Dearie Dot, Dearie Dot Dot Dotdo Dearie dot Doo!

[–] winterm-1 16 years ago

her beauty is staggering

[–] eastofeden87 15 years ago

I would say this movie is Linda Darnell's best showcase of all her films. "A Letter To Three Wives" allows her to show a wonderful range with heartfelt dramatic scenes and bitingly witty comedy sequences. She's a very underrated performer.

[–] PillowRock 15 years ago

I would say this movie is Linda Darnell's best showcase of all her films.

Hmmmm, tough call.

The other top candidate in my mind would be Unfaithfully Yours. She basically plays four different versions of her character in that one: the actual character and differing variations of her in Rex Harrison's three fantasies. The subtle control required to keep each of the four internally consistent *and* identifiably different from the others ...... but not *too* different since they are only differences in the husband's point of view ...... was pretty impressive.

[–] lizzie-45 14 years ago

for my money you could drop the other two wives and still have a decent movie, why not just develop her ma, sadie and babe? they're the best characters and linda in every shot would be a must. everythign she does lights up the screen.
she breaks my heart everytime, in a shoulders back with dignity and class kind of way

[–] deckerk 12 years ago

To only go back in time and work at 20th Century Fox in the 40's with such beauties as Darnell, Baxter, Crain, Grable, Faye, O'Hara, and the exquisite Gene Tierney.

Be still my beating heart!

[–] beckeis 12 years ago

Gorgeous woman!
I kept thinking she could do so much better than him!

[–] topkapi56 10 years ago

You do realize that she actually loved him, right?

[–] Tanu Tuva 10 years ago

I've heard of attorneys general but this is the first time I've heard of femmes fatale.

[–] stareyes24 7 years ago

She stole the show. Her storyline with Paul Douglas was the best, but I enjoyed the movie thoroughly.