Dear Wife (1949) DVD-R

Starring William Holden, Joan Caulfield, Billy De Wolfe, Mona Freeman, Edward Arnold,
Arleen Whelan
Directed by Richard Haydn

Print: black/white
Runtime: 85 min.
Genre: comedy

Teenaged Miriam starts a political campaign to nominate Bill Seacroft, her brother-in-law,
for state senator in opposition to the local political machine. Unknown to Miriam, said
machine nominates her father, Judge Wilkins. As support grows for Bill, the presence of
rival candidates under one roof poses problems, especially for Ruth, wife to Bill and
daughter of the judge.

The movie, Dear Wife is a comedy that is suitable for family viewing as well. Teenager Miriam Wilkins goes door-to-door to petition for her brother-in-law, Bill Seacroft. She wants to get him elected to the State Senate. This happens without his knowledge. Bill is a war veteran who works in a bank and is frustrated as he lives with his wife Ruth’s family because he does not feel independent enough. Everyone in the family is stunned when they learn that Ruth’s father, Harry a judge is nominated to run as State Senator and that Bill is his rival. Harry is not bothered about this though he does get irritated when Miriam publishes an article in the local newspaper where she describes him in unflattering terms. Problems soon ensue in the household. Ruth becomes jealous of Bill’s beautiful campaign manager, Tommy Murphy and Harry’s manager, Albert Kummer who was once Ruth’s fiance and is now Bill’s boss encourages the problem. Conflicts start between Bill and Harry on the issue of a new local airport. Bill states that this would force many people out of their homes. Miriam, who is the secretary of the Civic Betterment Committee, uses her influence to arrange a live radio broadcast from her home. This turns out to be a disaster and Ruth and Bill separate soon after as she refuses to move out from her parents’ home with him. Her father does not approve of the separation.

Ruth starts to work as a real estate agent and Harry informs Bill later about a duplex that Ruth is showing to her clients. Bill rents the duplex and both of them almost reunite but she is still jealous of his relationship with Tommy and refuses to move in with him. Tommy however, admits that she likes Bill but he had rejected her. Ruth decides to accept a job in Chicago. It is at this point that Miriam decides to convince Ruth and Bill to stay together and she asks Bill to take her to a dance as she has quarreled with her boyfriend. By this time, Ruth is on her way to the train station with Albert who wishes to renew their relationship. Harry arranges for the police to arrest Albert for bad driving. Albert and Ruth are brought to court and he passes an order stating that they have to remain in town for a trial until next week. At the dance, Albert informs Bill that he has been disqualified as a candidate because he moved to another district. Meanwhile, Harry’s sponsor announces that land will be given to any homeowners who are displaced by the construction of the new airport. The political issues finally get resolved. Harry lectures Ruth about her wifely duties and Bill fights with Albert for interfering in his personal as well as professional problems. Ruth and Bill finally reunite and Miriam starts a new petition to nominate him for the position of the State Senator.

The movie Dear Wife was directed by Richard Haydn and stars William Holden and Joan Caulfield as Bill and Ruth. The movie Dear Wife can be viewed in black and white and runs for a duration of 98 minutes. It was released in the year 1949.