Too Many Husbands

Too Many Husbands

Year: 1940

Runtime: 81 mins

Language: English

Director: Wesley Ruggles

ComedyRomanceCrude humor and satireCharming romances and delightful chemistryLaugh-out-loud relationship entanglements

JUST MARRIED…BUT TO WHOM? Long-missing Bill Cardew returns to find his wife Vicky remarried…and in no hurry to settle for just one husband.

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Timeline & Setting – Too Many Husbands (1940)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Too Many Husbands (1940). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Early 1940s

Set in the Hollywood era of screwball comedies, the period emphasizes conventional marriage norms and rapid social change. Communication relies on phones and newspapers to advance miscommunications and gossip. The legalities of bigamy frame the comic conflicts as characters maneuver through social expectations.

Location

Home, Office, Airport, Missing Persons Bureau

The story unfolds across a domestic setting (Vicky's home) and a bustling publishing office, with an airport scene that acts as a turning point. The Missing Persons Bureau adds a formal civic layer to the farce. The mix of intimate interiors and public spaces underscores the social scrutiny surrounding remarriage and scandal.

🏡 Domestic 🏢 Workplace ✈️ Airport 🕵️ Public Scrutiny

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:11

Main Characters – Too Many Husbands (1940)

Meet the key characters of Too Many Husbands (1940), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Vicky Lowndes — Jean Arthur

A witty, appealing widow who rapidly remarries, she enjoys the prospect of both love and freedom while navigating intense social scrutiny. Her indecision and charm drive the plot, making her the pivot around which both husbands orbit. She balances affection with a sly awareness of the farcical situation.

💃 Independent 💍 Bigamy Dilemma 🗞️ Public Scrutiny

Henry Lowndes — Melvyn Douglas

Vicky's second husband; a suave publisher who values status and stability. He is protective and proud, fighting to preserve the memory of his place in Vicky's life while confronting the absurdity of the situation. His gentlemanly demeanor masks a stubborn resolve.

💼 Professional 🧭 Stability Seeker 🗣️ Relationship Narrator

Bill Cardew — Fred MacMurray

The first husband presumed dead who unexpectedly returns, complicating the love triangle. He is straightforward, warm, and competitive, challenging Henry's position and revealing undercurrents of loyalty and humor. His presence destabilizes the status quo and drives the comedic conflict.

🚢 Return 🌀 Romantic Competitor 💪 Ambitious

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:11

Major Themes – Too Many Husbands (1940)

Explore the central themes of Too Many Husbands (1940), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💞 Love Triangle

Vicky's life becomes a juggling act between two husbands, creating tension, humor, and competing affections. The dynamic probes loyalty, desire, and the fear of social judgment. The farce emerges from misunderstandings, sly schemes, and the quick shifts in romantic allegiance.

🎭 Remarriage Comedy

The plot centers on a two-husband arrangement and the comedic consequences of remarriage in a society that prizes propriety. Characters switch loyalties, navigate public scrutiny, and stretch the boundaries of what constitutes a legitimate household. The film uses wit and farce to critique conventions about marriage and affection.

📰 Societal Norms

The scandal breaks in newspapers, exposing how public perception shapes personal choices. The legal and social pressures around marriage, divorce, and remarriage drive much of the conflict. Through humor, the story questions rigid gender roles and the costs of keeping appearances.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:11

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Too Many Husbands Summary

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Too Many Husbands Summary

Too Many Husbands Timeline

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Too Many Husbands Timeline

More About Too Many Husbands

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