Yes, on the surface there are distinct similarities to "My Favorite Wife", and the Cary Grant film would probably get the nod here if there were a competition. But, in and of itself, this is a good film with solid laughs. I've always thought that Fred MacMurray deserves more credit than he gets nowadays for what was a fine career as an actor in both comedies and dramas (although I think he was better in, for example, "The Egg And I". But, as the lost and sea and presumed dead husband who returns only to find that his wife, Jean Arthur (really good in this film) is married to best friend and business associate Melvyn Douglas (who is utterly charming here). Arthur's character must choose which husband to dump...the crux of the plot...which goes on a bit too long...why can't she make up her mind. Both husbands are portrayed as being rather charming, and perhaps that's the reason she has trouble deciding. I'll bet most people would have been rooting for Melvyn Douglas' character, but guess what -- at the end of the film you're not sure who she's going to select -- a rather unsatisfying conclusion from my perspective. It's a bit too much of a drawing room (or bedroom) comedy...clearly it was adapted from a stage effort, but the closing party scene is nice...would have also worked well earlier in the film to break-up so much of the action taking place in the home. Perhaps it's supporting actor Harry Davenport (the doctor in GWTW) who really shines in this flick as the father of the Jean Arthur character; he's always a great addition to any film, but gets more play here and really excels. A good film comedy, but not memorable.
Review of Too Many Husbands
