This is a smart sophisticated comedy starring Claudette Colbert. It was the first one she made after her long contract at Paramount. Produced in mid-1945 by Jack Skirball and released through United Artists, it reunites the actress with her leading man from 1939's MIDNIGHT, Don Ameche. In fact it was the second of three pictures the duo made together...their third venture would be the thriller SLEEP MY LOVE in 1948.
The premise for GUEST WIFE is as follows...Colbert is married to banker Dick Foran and they live in a small Ohio town. Ameche is Foran's buddy dropping in for a visit. The guys were college football stars, and we learn that Foran had run interference for ball carrier Ameche on the field, something he still does in a metaphoric sense even now.
Ameche works as a reporter in foreign locales. He is a playboy who has never been married. However, he told his New York-based boss (Charles Dingle) that he finally settled down and married a nice woman. He sent photos of his "wife" from Asia. And yup, you guessed it, he sent a pic of his pal's wife-- Colbert.
Because Dingle is anxious to meet the lucky bride in person, Colbert must pose as the wife to help out her husband's friend...even though she would rather not. So off they go to New York, where they end up staying at a posh hotel.
Silly situations occur after they check in at the hotel. Foran has been delayed and is stuck back in Ohio. Ameche's boss really believes Ameche is wed to Colbert. One hilarious running gag involves a businessman from back home (Chester Clute) staying at the same hotel. He knows Colbert and doesn't understand why she now has a different husband on her arm. He keeps stalking them trying to prove Colbert is Colbert, not someone else that Ameche is passing herself as, to remain in good standing with the boss.
Finally Foran shows up, and Dingle catches him making a move on Colbert, whom he still believes is Ameche's "wife." So the plot gets more outlandish and even funnier, as Dingle tries to save Colbert's "marriage" to Ameche by persuading Foran to back off.
Since Colbert spends so much time with Ameche, and the ruse is not yet over, Foran starts to get jealous of Ameche being with his wife. The situation escalates with additional misunderstandings, involving a suspicious hotel detective (Grant Mitchell). As well as an attractive female (Marlo Dwyer) that Ameche is interested in, but can't have because he's still "married" to Colbert.
Meanwhile Colbert contrives to be reunited with Foran, and this sets up the third act that takes place at Dingle's country estate. Ultimately, the only way out is for Colbert to "run away" from Ameche, and to jilt him for Foran.
This film has an original screwball premise, and the leads pull it off superbly. There are several laugh-out-loud moments, and Claudette Colbert is as glamorous as ever. A real winner.
The premise for GUEST WIFE is as follows...Colbert is married to banker Dick Foran and they live in a small Ohio town. Ameche is Foran's buddy dropping in for a visit. The guys were college football stars, and we learn that Foran had run interference for ball carrier Ameche on the field, something he still does in a metaphoric sense even now.
Ameche works as a reporter in foreign locales. He is a playboy who has never been married. However, he told his New York-based boss (Charles Dingle) that he finally settled down and married a nice woman. He sent photos of his "wife" from Asia. And yup, you guessed it, he sent a pic of his pal's wife-- Colbert.
Because Dingle is anxious to meet the lucky bride in person, Colbert must pose as the wife to help out her husband's friend...even though she would rather not. So off they go to New York, where they end up staying at a posh hotel.
Silly situations occur after they check in at the hotel. Foran has been delayed and is stuck back in Ohio. Ameche's boss really believes Ameche is wed to Colbert. One hilarious running gag involves a businessman from back home (Chester Clute) staying at the same hotel. He knows Colbert and doesn't understand why she now has a different husband on her arm. He keeps stalking them trying to prove Colbert is Colbert, not someone else that Ameche is passing herself as, to remain in good standing with the boss.
Finally Foran shows up, and Dingle catches him making a move on Colbert, whom he still believes is Ameche's "wife." So the plot gets more outlandish and even funnier, as Dingle tries to save Colbert's "marriage" to Ameche by persuading Foran to back off.
Since Colbert spends so much time with Ameche, and the ruse is not yet over, Foran starts to get jealous of Ameche being with his wife. The situation escalates with additional misunderstandings, involving a suspicious hotel detective (Grant Mitchell). As well as an attractive female (Marlo Dwyer) that Ameche is interested in, but can't have because he's still "married" to Colbert.
Meanwhile Colbert contrives to be reunited with Foran, and this sets up the third act that takes place at Dingle's country estate. Ultimately, the only way out is for Colbert to "run away" from Ameche, and to jilt him for Foran.
This film has an original screwball premise, and the leads pull it off superbly. There are several laugh-out-loud moments, and Claudette Colbert is as glamorous as ever. A real winner.