Overview
How to Murder Your Wife is a 1965 American black comedy directed by Richard Quine and led by Jack Lemmon. The picture uses broad satire and fantasy sequences to lampoon mid-1960s ideas about bachelorhood, domestic life and male bravado. It was distributed by United Artists.
Premise and style
The story follows a successful, habitual bachelor who, after a surprise marriage, finds himself the subject of his own cartoonist fantasies. The film blends straightforward situational comedy with darker, more ironic gags: the protagonist’s imagination, work as a cartoonist and public persona fuel a series of comic and sometimes unsettling episodes. Visual comedy and theatrical performances are central to its tone.
Cast and notable contributors
- Jack Lemmon — lead role
- Virna Lisi — co-star
- Terry-Thomas — supporting comic role
- Claire Trevor — supporting role
- Jack Albertson — supporting role
- Other credited players and a recognizable character ensemble contribute to the film’s broad comic effect.
Reception and cultural context
At release the film attracted mixed reactions: many praised Lemmon’s energetic performance and the movie’s satirical conceit, while others criticized its handling of gender and marital themes as a product of its era. Over time it has been discussed as an example of 1960s American comedy that mixes mainstream humor with darker subject matter.
Legacy and distinctions
How to Murder Your Wife remains of interest to film historians and comedy fans for its leading performances, its attempt to combine farce with a cynical premise, and its reflection of midcentury social attitudes. For more information on the film and contemporary commentary see related pages and archives linked below.
Further reading: film overview and biographies of principal artists such as Jack Lemmon and Virna Lisi provide additional context; production notes and period reviews are available via studio and archive resources (Terry-Thomas, Claire Trevor, Jack Albertson).