MovieChat Forums > How to Murder Your Wife (1965) Discussion > re: Brilliant film - if your a Man!!

re: Brilliant film - if your a Man!!

posted 19 years ago by carl170
18 replies | jump to latest

Brilliant film, and one that puts a smile on your face. Though you wouldn't get away with it today. Its a shame that Terry Thomas and Jack Lemon didn't do more films together. Both put out A1 performances.

Also Eddie Mayehoff performance in this comedy was fantastic, as the hen peck husband. Brilliant performance.

What a great film. Jack Lemon and Terry Thomas should have stared in more films together. Could imgaine if these 4 people were acting together in each film they made - Terry Thomas, Eddie Mayehoff, Walter Matteau and Jack Lemmon.

Each film would have been hit, after hit, after hit...

Terry Thomas was the worlds best Cad... "Good Show sir"

What a actor he was....

I would love to get this film again on Dvd.

Region 2 (Dvd though)

Carl Brown - Ipswich, England
[email protected]

[–] netstvdvs 19 years ago

I heartily agree, but let's not forget Claire Trevor as the shrewish, manipulative Mrs. Lampson (who gets her comeuppance in the end). Hard to believe it's the same woman who played the pathetic, drunken Gaye Dawn in Key Largo.

"I've been smart; I recommend pleasant. You can quote me" - Elwood P. Dowd

[–] Palpatine77 19 years ago

This is such a wonderful movie! Totally of it's time, and because it's so (tongue in cheek) sexist and male chauvenistic, it would never be made today. I would think only a guy would find this movie funny, but as a kid my mother and sister both loved this movie as well, which now surprises me to be honest.

Terry-Thomas was perfectly cast as Lemmon's butler, and as stated before, a shame that they never worked on a movie again after this. Terry-Thomas was also great in It's A Mad Mad Mad World, if you're looking for another fun film of his to watch.

One of my favorite lines in this movie is, during the bachelor party, the judge says to Lemmon that he's been married for 37 years, and he doesn't regret one day of it......... The one day he doesn't regret, is the day when his wife left town to visit her mother! LOL Great line!

Now go get your shinebox.

[–] csu16387 19 years ago

I agree about Claire Trevor's performance. She tries to turn Virna Lisi from sex goddess to lousy housewife as the film progresses. I can't say I've seen Claire Trevor give a bad performance yet.

Though I'm not a married guy, it's a bit hard to understand how a man who has a wife that is sexy, cooks, and wants to make love on a regular basis would even think about killing her. I did enjoy this film though. Jack Lemmon was terrific as always.

"Dry your eyes baby, it's out of character."

[–] netstvdvs 19 years ago

This movie plays a trick on you. You watch it almost all the way through thinking it's about one thing, and it turns out to be about something else entirely. While it's true that there's plenty there to satisfy the most ardent chauvinist, in the end, you find out that, after all is said and done, love (for all of its pull-your-hair-out, scream-'til-you're-hoarse, punch-a-hole-in-the-wall exasperation) conquers all.

"I've been smart; I recommend pleasant. You can quote me" - Elwood P. Dowd

[–] puzzle_queen 19 years ago

I saw this movie as a kid, maybe fifth grade or so, and loved it. So it isn't only grown men who like this movie. I'm definitely female.
Marianne

[–] zebra649 19 years ago

This endearing farce is one of my all-time favorite movies. Sure, it isn't a movie of great depth, but it is a nice little tale of the well-off bachelor in the Hugh Hefner vein in the mid sixties. Grewat character actor parts. This movie has so many great punch lines that have stuck in my mind since I saw it as a 12 year old kid. This style of move was pretty popular at the time. Similar movies with these fanciful tales were the Doris Day light comedies.

[–] missrljane 18 years ago

I've only ever watched this film with men and I wonder how other women would react to it.

I mean, it's funny and Jack Lemmon is, as always, amazing. And it isn't insulting women at any point, - just overbearing wives. I'm okay with it because I'm not married.

Although as has been pointed out, what is Stanley complaining about? His wife is a beautiful slave, who when she doesn't trust him because her mind has been poisoned by Edna, profusely apologises. Surely, all Stanley has to do is put his foot down and say 'I won't eat all this lovely food' or 'clear your rubbish off the sink'.

The only part of the film that makes me uncomfortable as a woman is the end of the court scene, where all the men parade out and all the women sit dejectedly. This is ONLY because I wonder what the men I am watching it with think I must be thinking! If I was alone, I'd be laughing. Besides, Stanley is happy to get his wife back.

It's a film, who cares and I think a film like this could be made these days because we have long since passed back into celebrating unPC and everything is satire.

I don't think it's brilliant because it is so all over the place, but it's enjoyable and Lemmon is GREAT. I don't think this could ever be offensive, except maybe to 13 year old girls who are trying out being feminist and misunderstand.

JoyFital

"Don't drink the wine!"

[–] carl170 18 years ago

I'm glad that we have few women on board that have watched the film, and state that they love this film as much as me.

I have just watched the film again. I own it now on Dvd. It's wonderful. I tell you what sometimes when you come home from work, which has been hellish. These are the films that I like to watch.

Light comedies, but with a slight tinge of Satire to them.

All the actors in this film were first class. I think Virna Lisi, played a really good part in the film. And more credit should be given to her. She is/was incrediable beautiful women.

I think the best part of the film for me was when she entered the Club. Brilliant brilliant scene that one.

Terry Thomas was excellant in his role as Jack Lemon Butler. His stiff upper lip approach to life in general within this film made him the staff of it. I don't think there is an actor today that is smiliar to him. Maybe Lesley Philips?????

Eddie Mayehoff, as Jack lemon hen pecked lawyer, was as marvelllous. But could you imagine if the role would have been given to Walter Matteau????

Claire Trevor, was another person that deserves high praise within this movie. Her timing of her lines and her facial expression as against her husband, Eddie mayehoff was brilliant.

I can't see anyone not liking this movie. If you watch it you alone it will always bring a smile to face. With a crowd you'll be smiling.
Its one film that I will never tire of watching.

Could this be re-made though????

Thinking about it. I feel that the actors of the 60's that were around were better then todays. I feel that there was a more variety of "styles" actors around that we don't see today. But that's my opinion. Is that yours???

Carl Brown
Ipswich, England

[–] gt5565 18 years ago

>>Eddie Mayehoff, as Jack lemon hen pecked lawyer, was as marvelllous. But could you imagine if the role would have been given to Walter Matteau

i disagree, i don't think walter matteau could have done a better job. the casting on this movie was quite good all the way around.

[–] dgcrow 18 years ago

Agreed. As great an actor/comedian as Jack Lemmon was, Terry-Thomas and Eddie Mayehoff practically stole this movie.

[–] Belle11 18 years ago

im a women (well, more like girl) and i LOVED it. It's just a bit of fun isn't it? Sexist, harmless, male-dominated fun! No, seriously, it's just genious - if i was a guy id probably agree that Jack's character has the best job ever!!

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] steamdreamer 18 years ago

**SPOILER**

I think the Shrug to the viewer/camera by Terry Thomas at the end said it all. There are no winners or losers, just love ... and even he fell in the end. A wonderful happy ending.

[–] belacane 17 years ago

Just watched this today. I'm a married woman and saw nothing wrong with it at all! It's just a "caper."

However, re the Walter Matthau thing, I was listening (but not watching) during Mayehoff's first scene and I actually did think it was Matthau. Even after looking at him I tried to figure out if it maybe was Matthau with less hair or something. I think either of them could have done that part just great.

"Good night, Vienna, city of a million something-or-others..."

[–] merilee112 8 years ago

The only part of the film that makes me uncomfortable as a woman is the end of the court scene, where all the men parade out and all the women sit dejectedly.

I think that scene could have been made better if they had one of the lawyers hang back and start handing out his card to the women, anticipating getting a lot of money in the divorces.

That would have been funny!

Don't say anything bad about Jojo
If she's a disciplinarian, I'm the Queen Of England!- Stella

[–] JudgeJavelin 8 years ago

No!

------------------------------
Prepare to be judged....with a FGM-148 Javelin!

[–] merilee112 8 years ago

Why not? Admit it, that's what a real life lawyer would do! We're talking LOTS of divorces here!

Don't say anything bad about Jojo
If she's a disciplinarian, I'm the Queen Of England!- Stella

[–] talisencrw 9 years ago

I loved it too--just seeing it for the first time last night. 8/10 for me.