By Forris Day Jr.
“He was wanted by two women, but only one could have him” That is the tagline for the classic 1953 film “The Bigamist”. If that isn’t enough to scare a guy I don’t know what is. Bigamy is an unusual subject for a 1950’s movie, but I think the filmmakers did a really nice job handling the story. Sure, it is simplified and sweetened up like you might expect from a mid-century film but I really enjoyed it just the same.
Harry Graham (Edmond O’Brien) and his wife Eve (Joan Fountaine) want to have a baby but she can’t become pregnant. She is distraught because of her inability to conceive. After an eight year marriage they teeter on the edge of divorce. They hide behind work, he with his job as a traveling salesman and she with running the business from home. As Harry becomes increasingly lonely on his travels he begins to occupy his time by going to museums and taking bus tours. On one of his bus tours he meets Phillis Martin (Ida Lupino). Lupino is also the director of the film. Phillis is lonely too and they soon become friends just hanging out. That all changes one night. Phillis becomes pregnant. At the same time his wife snaps out of her funk and wants to adopt a child. Harry is in a mess. What is a guy to do?
His double life gets discovered when the adoption agency does a background check on Harry. He is confronted by the agent in charge of the investigation, Mr. Jordan (Edmund Gwenn). Will Mr. Jordan report him or will he leave Harry to do what he must?
This was a wonderful movie, well written and acted. I enjoyed every minute of it. It kept me interested in the story and I loved how they plugged Edmund Gwenn’s other films “Miracle of 34th Street” and “The Trouble With Harry” within the movie. They even went as far to pass his house on the bus tour for homes of the stars as the bus driver says “…and to your right is the home of Edmund Gwenn…”. Interestingly enough Harry is a likable person. His wife and girlfriend are also likable so it is tough to not like Harry even though I knew what he was doing was morally wrong. Harry is an anti-hero who gets trapped in his myriad of bad choices. The two women are the unfortunate unknowing victims.
Film buffs will really enjoy “The Bigamist”. If you enjoy all things Hollywood there are plenty of exterior shots of the city in this one.. It’s an all-star cast that comes together to make a very suspenseful and dramatic film in “The Bigamist”.
Rating: 9/10 -“When one wife just isn’t enough”
