Four Wives (1939)

Three of the four musically inclined daughters of Adam Lemp, the Dean of the Briarwood Music Foundation, are settling into their lives as wives, but not all is well. Thea Lemp has long ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Julius J. Epstein (screen play), Philip G. Epstein (screen play),

Stars:

Priscilla Lane, Rosemary Lane, Lola Lane

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Priscilla Lane	...	Ann Lemp Borden
Rosemary Lane	...	Kay Lemp
Lola Lane	...	Thea Lemp Crowley
Gale Page	...	Emma Lemp Talbot
Claude Rains	...	Adam Lemp
Jeffrey Lynn	...	Felix Dietz
Eddie Albert	...	Dr. Clinton Forrest, Jr.
May Robson	...	Aunt Etta
Frank McHugh	...	Ben Crowley
Dick Foran	...	Ernest Talbot
Henry O'Neill	...	Dr. Clinton Forrest, Sr.
John Garfield	...	Mickey Borden (archive footage)
Vera Lewis	...	Mrs. Ridgefield
John Qualen	...	Frank
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Loia Cheaney	...	(scenes deleted)

Storyline

Three of the four musically inclined daughters of Adam Lemp, the Dean of the Briarwood Music Foundation, are settling into their lives as wives, but not all is well. Thea Lemp has long since married wealthy banker, Ben Crowley. Thea makes a unilateral decision which may disrupt their marriage. Emma Lemp married their neighbor, florist Ernest Talbot, after realizing that she truly did love him and not their border, composer/conductor Felix Deitz, after Ernest's actions at what was supposed to be Felix and Emma's youngest sister Ann Lemp's wedding. Emma receives some sad news which too may place a pall over her and Ernest's marriage. And Ann, after the suicide death of her husband Mickey Borden who she married as his possible salvation, and Felix are once again engaged, he who she always truly loved. But the memory of Mickey, who was an acquaintance of Felix's, may be a major roadblock on the road to happiness for Ann and Felix, especially as Mickey leaves something a little unexpected ...

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Plot Keywords:

sequel | widow | wedding | engagement | newborn baby | 

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Taglines:

The "Four Daughters" are now "Four Wives" It's a four belle picture! For these four wedding belles!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

4 yperohoi syzygoi

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min 99 min (Turner library print)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Max Steiner's "Symphonie Moderne", written for the movie, was later expanded and published in 1941.

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Goofs

Anne is already pregnant at Christmas time. The baby comes well after Father's Day (June), probably July or even later and there is no attempt to make her look pregnant - not even maternity-type clothes. She continues wearing skirts and tucked-in blouses, remaining thin through the entire picture. She's even wheeled into the Delivery Room with her stomach looking as flat as a board.

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Connections

Featured in The John Garfield Story (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Row, Row, Row Your Boat"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung by the Lemp family

User Reviews

Sentimental film well directed by Curtiz and scored by Steiner...

An air of melancholy runs through FOUR WIVES because Priscilla Lane is still haunted by the memory of her dead husband (John Garfield, seen briefly in a cameo role), while engaged to Jeffrey Lynn who doesn't know she's carrying Garfield's child.

But through all the dramatic twists and turns, the family unit remains strong, supportive and determined to move in the direction of a happy ending for all. Frank McHugh is on hand for some levity, Rosemary Lane makes a very beautiful Kay, Claude Rains is the musician father, and Priscilla Lane and Jeffrey Lynn carry the romantic leads in a pleasant enough manner. Lynn even gets to conduct Max Steiner's stirring "Symphonie Moderne" which wraps up the story with musical finesse.

I actually found Rosemary Lane to be the most natural beauty of the Lane sisters and her acting here is more than competent. But the Warners evidently groomed Priscilla Lane for stardom instead. She gets all the best close-ups, including her hospital scene listening to the radio concert with tearful pride.

It's enjoyable enough without being really special. Julius J. Epstein has written a graceful script and the Steiner score is a gem. Director Michael Curtiz keeps the camera flowing smoothly through many a detailed scene.