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A Letter to Three Wives Trivia Quiz

With its biting humor and clever dialogue, 1949's 'A Letter to Three Lives' is a relatively uncelebrated classic. This quiz is meant to give this high quality film some needed attention. Enjoy!

A multiple-choice quiz by thejazzkickazz. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
thejazzkickazz

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
228,411

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
543

Awards
Top 10% Quiz

Last 3 plays: kysus (4/10), psnz (10/10), Taltarzac (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which notable director both directed and wrote the screenplay for 'A Letter to Three Wives'? Hint

Orson Welles

Lewis Milestone

William Wellman

Joseph L. Mankiewicz

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Question 2 of 10

2. 'A Letter to Three Wives' was based on a novel entitled 'A Letter to Five Wives' by which author? Hint

Robert Wright

Ernest Hemingway

John Klempner

John LaFarge

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Question 3 of 10

3. The villain in 'A Letter to Three Wives' is a woman with the last name Ross who seems to be the most enticing bachelorette in town. What is her first name? Hint

Pattie

Addie

Ruthie

Sylvie

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which actress provides the voice for the mysterious Ms. Ross, who never appears in person during the film? Hint

Katherine Hepburn

Celeste Holm

Vera Miles

Janet Leigh

5. Now to the performers. Contestant #1: She is Deborah Bishop, a girl from the country who has married Brad, a handsome, charming and cosmopolitan fellow who seems to be the most popular man in town. Which actress plays Deborah in the film? Hint

Florence Bates

Jeanne Crain

Barbara Lawrence

Anne Baxter

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Question 6 of 10

6. The second wife is a radio scriptwriter played by Ann Sothern. What is her full name? Hint

Rita Phipps

Sarah Johnston

Florence Manleigh

Kathy Harrow

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Question 7 of 10

7. The third of the three wives, Lora Mae, is played by the beautiful Linda Darnell. Her character, a girl from a poor family who nabs a rich business man, is sassy and unhappy. This is largely due to her unhappy marriage to whom? Hint

Darryl Stansbury

Philip Hendrickson

Thomas Newton

Porter Hollingsway

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which actor with an unmistakable dimple on his chin plays George, a school teacher and husband to the Ann Sothern character? Hint

Cary Grant

Kirk Douglas

Lloyd Bridges

Sterling Hayden

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which actress makes an uncredited appearance as Sadie Dugan, a housekeeper for one of the families in the film? Hint

Agnes Moorehead

Irene Ryan

Ruth Gordon

Thelma Ritter

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Question 10 of 10

10. Where have the the three wives been off to all day, making it impossible to learn with which of their husbands Ms. Ross has left until the end of the film? Hint

Volunteer work at the YMCA

Skiing trip

Children's picnic

Shopping in New York

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 10 2024 : kysus: 4/10
Nov 30 2024 : psnz: 10/10
Nov 20 2024 : Taltarzac: 10/10
Nov 16 2024 : golfmom08: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which notable director both directed and wrote the screenplay for 'A Letter to Three Wives'?

Answer: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Mankiewicz won two Oscars for his work on this film, one for Best Director and one for Best Writing. The film was also nominated for Best Picture, but failed to win.

2. 'A Letter to Three Wives' was based on a novel entitled 'A Letter to Five Wives' by which author?

Answer: John Klempner

For time purposes, Mankiewicz cut two of the five wives out of production. He actually intended to only cut one, and Anne Baxter was to be featured as the fourth wive, but ultimately this section of the film was sacrificed. Too bad, Anne Baxter would have been great!

3. The villain in 'A Letter to Three Wives' is a woman with the last name Ross who seems to be the most enticing bachelorette in town. What is her first name?

Answer: Addie

Addie Ross is never seen in the film. She is the author of the letter that is read towards the beginning of the film in which she claims to have run off with one of the three wives' husbands.

In one scene, the Linda Darnell character is looking at a picture of Addie (that the audience can't see). It turns out that the actual picture is of Otto Preminger, a director with whom Darnell had a difficult time in another film. Mankiewicz placed Preminger's picture there in order to get the desired emotional effect.

4. Which actress provides the voice for the mysterious Ms. Ross, who never appears in person during the film?

Answer: Celeste Holm

Celeste Holm's lilting voice can be overheard as a quasi-narration for the film. Apparently, the studio ran a number of 'Who is Addie?' contests across the country to see if audience members could recognize Holm's beautiful voice.

Answer: Jeanne Crain

Jeanne Crain appeared in classics such as 'State Fair' and 'Margie' before acquiring the part of Deborah in 'A Letter to Three Wives'. Afterwards, she worked in such films as 'Cheaper by the Dozen', 'Gentlemen Marry Brunettes' and 'The Joker Is Wild'.

6. The second wife is a radio scriptwriter played by Ann Sothern. What is her full name?

Answer: Rita Phipps

Ann Sothern was a very popular actress from the 30s and 40s. She appeared in dozens of films, including her series of 'Maisie' films, which lasted from 1939 to 1947.

Answer: Porter Hollingsway

The cynical Porter Hollingsway is played marvellously by Paul Douglas. Linda Darnell is also excellent as Lora Mae Hollingsway. Porter believes that Lora Mae is a golddigger, while Lora Mae believes that Porter is completely uncommitted.

8. Which actor with an unmistakable dimple on his chin plays George, a school teacher and husband to the Ann Sothern character?

Answer: Kirk Douglas

There seems to be some tension between George and Rita in the film, largely due to the fact that Rita is the main breadwinner in the family. However, this seems to affect Rita more than George, who takes it in stride. Douglas is charming as George in this film, especially when he rants about the insipid nature of radio programming.

9. Which actress makes an uncredited appearance as Sadie Dugan, a housekeeper for one of the families in the film?

Answer: Thelma Ritter

This was only six-time Academy Award nominee Thelma Ritter's second big screen appearance, her first also uncredited in 'Miracle on 34th Street'. Even in her relatively small role in this film, it's obvious that Ritter will become a big star.

10. Where have the the three wives been off to all day, making it impossible to learn with which of their husbands Ms. Ross has left until the end of the film?

Answer: Children's picnic

The three women are all conveniently out of town when Addie Ross makes her move. This allows them the time to daydream about their topsy-turvy relationships with their husbands.

Thank you for playing this quiz, I hope you have enjoyed it.

Source: Author thejazzkickazz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor skunkee before going online.
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