How to Murder Your Wife

I think a 33 year old, born 25 years after this movie was made, can still be charmed by it. And everybody, irrespective of age, who isn't a Jack Lemon fan needs to become one. And this movie, among others, is how you do that.It's not exactly a courtroom drama but the courtroom scenes are BRILLIANT!!!!! Of course, I'm a man so.....

Funny movie but probably not for someone born after 1960

Seniors will remember Jack Lemmon as a great actor who could perform comedy and drama equally well. How to Murder Your Wife is one of his funniest comedy movies. In this movie he plays a wealthy comic strip artist and devout bachelor who awakens after getting drunk at a friend’s bachelor party to discover he’s married to the girl who jumped out of the cake at the party. The woman is a gorgeous Italian with no clothes to her name except her jacket, and she speaks no English. His real life is so intertwined with the stories of a comic strip action character he draws that the new marriage impacts his drawings, and he has to figure out how to get the new wife out of his comic strip with the perfect murder. What’s not known to others until close to the end, though, is if his real wife, who is now missing, met the same fate.The plot sounds far more serious than it really is, and the comedy is funny and clean, albeit sexist and dated by today’s norms. My wife, who sometimes doesn’t find humor in how women were treated back in the 50’s, thought the movie was hilarious.The only reason I bought the blu-ray version is the DVD on Amazon didn’t look like the correct movie. For such an old movie, though, the picture quality and sound are excellent.

For the sake of others who seem confused about the high ratings, this is a harmless fantasy about the road not taken. I'm sure many husbands (and wives too) have, at one time or another, wondered how their life would have turned out had they not married (or at least, waited longer before marrying). While some may see the movie as too long and drawn out, I thought the time was well spent drawing the amusing parallel between the real life artist and his cartoon counterpart. Capped by a hilarious courtroom scene, this was a fun bit of rebellion in a time when we're having so many "standards" rammed down our throats. And it all came to a happy ending so, if you can't see the harmless fun in that, perhaps YOU are the miserable one.

I like classic movies of course marriage is not like the movies or cartoons.Marriage was created in heaven/paradise when everything was perfect.Its not like today of course there are going to be things happening.What if the movie was about a young successful career woman and she had EVERYTHING!And marriage was the last thing on her mind till enters a handsome young man and he doesn't speak English.And their eyes meet GOD said its not good for a man to be alone so he created a help mate.Not a DOOR mat to be walked on and told she's no longer beautiful but either is he he's old and no hair on his head. And his gut falls all the way to the ground but LOVE over looks things and see's NO wrongs and FORGIVES!Marriage is a WONDERFUL thing I been married for over 40 years and LOVE is still in our eyes and marriage is WORK! And it is having FORGIVENESS so yes the movie was funny and I enjoy seeing it and did make me laugh.But it also had a beautiful end when both them realize they both need other and a butler is fine I wish I had one.But that's another story in fact the butler finds mother is not bad looking after all. And having a woman around is not a bad thing after all. GOD! When a man finds a woman he finds a good thing.

"How To Murder Your Wife" is a very entertaining comedy, directed with his usual aplomb by Richard Quine, that provides another excellent vehicle for multi-talented Jack Lemmon. It certainly gives us a snapshot of the mid-sixties--cars, clothes, furniture and, of course, attitudes. Perhaps I should add that the "snapshot" also reflects the affluent lifestyle of someone who can afford a luxurious townhouse in New York City !Mr. Lemmon plays Stanley Ford, a successful cartoonist and "confirmed bachelor". He wakes up one morning after a crazy bachelor party to find a blonde in his bed ( drop-dead gorgeous Virna Lisi ) , and a wedding ring on her finger--it seems that, while intoxicated, he managed to marry this young woman. To add to his befuddlement, she is Italian and speaks no English. His "very British" butler ( scene-stealing Terry-Thomas ) is "shocked and appalled" and threatens to leave this severely-compromised masculine environment. The rest of the film is dedicated to our hero's attempts to unload the new wife--by legal means or otherwise--and return to the playboy lifestyle that he champions. There is much more to the plot but, unlike at least one other reviewer, I subscribe to the theory that potential viewers do not wish to be told every scene, plot development and situation in advance.The witty script is accompanied by an excellent cast. I have already mentioned the priceless Terry-Thomas, who also serves as the film's "narrator". Virna Lisi is extremely beautiful and seductive--the scene where she "pops out of the cake" at the bachelor party will still quicken the pulse of any red-blooded male ( and gives rise to the one central flaw in the film--why would any sane guy want to "dump" Ms. Lisi ! ? )! Eddie Mayehoff is hilarious as Mr. Lemmon's not-overly-clever lawyer, sympathetic to his client's plight, but also under the thumb of his domineering wife ( Claire Trevor, adding a fine comic performance to her distinguished film career ). Sidney Blackmer also shines in a small role as a judge who is anything but sober ! Finally--there is Mr. Jack Lemmon ( I still miss him )--having a ball as Stanley Ford, a paranoid, insecure, adolescent guy who only thinks he knows the key to true happiness.I found the picture quality to be excellent--the sound pretty much what you would expect for a forty-plus year old film. There are no extras, except the trailer. Neal Hefti contributes a nice, jazzy score, reminiscent of his "Odd Couple" music--or perhaps vice versa !Hopefully, people will not be discouraged by the "politically incorrect" title. This satirical comedy still has more than enough amusing scenes to entertain a modern audience, and the cast is perfect. Try it--you'll like it !

It's no good buying this film for light entertainment if you have the faintest drop of PC DNA in your bloodstream - and Feminists....AVOID. But if you want to see an amusing piece of late 50s, early 60s zeitgeist then this is an interesting and enjoyable film from a visual point of view as well as for the pleasure of the performances by the stars. You see New York emerging into the modern age before it hit hippies and the sort of squalor and horrid taste that typifies the 1970s. I love Jack Lemmon; love Terry Thomas - and Virna Lisi was a pleasure to watch. Alternatively if you're prepared to shrug off your prejudices and accept it for what it is - then go ahead. It is an enjoyable film, for all it's "hindsight" sins.

One of my favourite films

Quicker delivery than expected and good quality DVD.

We loved this film classic A++

This is a really fun film whether you're PC or not. Give Jack Lemmon a break. We could use some of him right now.