A Letter to Three Wives is a 1949 American drama film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and starring Jeanne Crain, Linda Darnell, and Ann Sothern. The film is based on a novel by John Klempner. It won Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor (Celeste Holm) and Best Screenplay.
The story follows three women who are all in a state of turmoil in their marriages. Lora May is married to a wealthy businessman who constantly accuses her of being a gold digger. Rita's husband is a school teacher who disapproves of her career as a writer and spends long hours at night grading papers. Deborah is a former WAVE who feels out of place in high society.
On a boat trip with a group of children, the three women receive a letter from a mutual friend, Addie (played by Holm), stating that she has run off with one of their husbands. Over the course of the day, as they each reflect on their marriages and try to figure out which one of their husbands has left them, they begin to see the strengths and weaknesses in their relationships.
As they arrive home that night, they each discover that their husbands are waiting for them and that Addie's letter was actually a test of their marriages and friendships. Each of the women comes away with a new appreciation for their husband and their marriage, and they are able to move forward with newfound confidence in themselves and their relationships.
The film is known for its sharp writing and its deft handling of complex emotional themes. It remains a classic example of the Golden Age of Hollywood and a timeless exploration of the ups and downs of married life.