Her Husband's Affairs

Her Husband's Affairs is a 1947 American screwball comedy film with an exciting line-up of lead characters. The movie showcases lovable screen siren Lucille Ball, known for her versatile acting, coupled with the debonair charmer Franchot Tone, and the brilliant character actor Edward Everett Horton. This madcap tale of marital and business misadventures, combined with the spirit and energy of its cast, makes it a comedy worth watching.

The plot of the movie revolves around the married couple Margaret Weldon, played by Lucille Ball, and her husband, William Weldon, portrayed by Franchot Tone. William is an ambitious advertising executive who always seems to land in trouble as a result of his overactive professional life, causing him impending doom every time he tries to pull off a crucial project.

Margaret, on the other hand, embodies the quintessential interfering wife who always comes to the rescue, much to the chagrin of her husband at times. Nevertheless, his career depends on her genius. While William presents himself as the brains behind the prestigious advertising agency he works for, it is evident that Margaret's clever thinking is the force that saves the day when her husband's experiments backfire, or when one of his promotional schemes goes awry. Her uncanny knack for unclogging hindrances in her husband's path, though irritating for him, results in multiple fortunate outcomes, oftentimes rescuing his job and, by extension, their livelihood.

Edward Everett Horton provides comic relief, as well as sincere frustration, in his role as the firm's boss who keeps getting wound up in the crazy rollercoaster of disasters and close shaves pioneered by his employee, William. Together, the three actors form a comedic triumvirate that guides the narrative through wild antics, innuendos, and a pile of close calls that keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

The film is a classic screwball comedy with all its necessary components - a fast-paced plot, eccentric characters, and a flurry of mishaps and misunderstandings. Her Husband's Affairs is layered with the quick-witted humor often seen in screwball comedies, coupled with situational humor derived from William’s humorous professional predicaments.

Director S. Sylvan Simon, known for his dab hand at comedies, keeps the pace brisk and the humor flowing throughout the movie. He capitalizes on the comic abilities of the cast, especially Ball's prowess for comedic timing, and Tone’s suave yet inherently comical portrayal of the bumbling husband.

The movie is also decorated with traces of romantic comedy, featuring the hilarity that ensues William's attempts to keep his marriage afloat amidst the pandemonium of his professional life. The burgeoning resentment between the couple, brought on by Margaret's persistent interference in her husband's dealings, makes for a humorous yet endearing side plot in the film.

Set against a backdrop of 1940s America, the film also gives us a delightful glance into the bygone era's fashion and lifestyle, reminiscent of a time when screwball comedies dominated the silver screens. It dances around a somewhat satirical view of the advertising industry of the period, filled with promised marvels and the inevitable pitfalls.

Irving Brecher's screenplay boosts the easygoing charm of the film, with plenty of clever dialogues and comic incidents that hold the narrative together. His knack for creating wacky characters and amusing situations provides the film with a consistent comedic undertone.

Her Husband's Affairs, produced by Columbia Pictures, with its tongue-in-cheek humor and fun-filled storyline, offers a trip down memory lane for fans of classic Hollywood comedies. The zestful performances by the lead trio, backed by an engaging plot, make the film a diverting example of post-war Hollywood’s inclination towards light, escapist entertainment. If you're a fan of early comedy films and slapstick humor, this film serves as a nostalgia-inducing addition to your watchlist.