Watch Misbehaving Husbands

Misbehaving Husbands is a 1940 comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring Harry Langdon, Betty Blythe, and Esther Muir. The story follows Harry, a down-on-his-luck salesman and his scheming wife, Liliesbeth, who conspires with her friend to trap a wealthy man into marriage. The movie starts with Harry struggling in his sales job, which leads to him losing his employment. Upon returning home, Harry finds his wife Liliesbeth on the phone, planning an outing with her friend, Vivian. Liliesbeth seems more interested in socializing with Vivian than in her husband's unemployment situation.

In the meantime, two wealthy businessmen come to town, and Liliesbeth sees an opportunity to marry one of them. She and her friend Vivian hatch a plan to seduce one of the wealthy businessmen, Johnathan, into marriage. They convince Harry to take on the task of distracting Johnathan's friend, George, so that Johnathan can spend more time with Liliesbeth.

However, things don't go according to plan, and Harry ends up falling for George's wife, Kitty, who is also unhappy in her marriage. Despite the complications, Harry eventually manages to help Liliesbeth rope in Johnathan to marry her, but not before some comical mishaps involving mistaken identities and a lot of confusion.

The film is a light-hearted comedy and is a classic example of the screwball genre popular in the 1930s and 40s. Harry Langdon delivers a solid performance as the hapless husband caught up in the middle of his wife's schemes. His mannerisms and facial expressions are hilarious, and he brings a unique charm to the character of Harry, making him a relatable and likable protagonist.

Betty Blythe plays Liliesbeth, the cunning and manipulative wife, with aplomb. She portrays the character's cunning and greed perfectly, and her performance provides a perfect counterpoint to Langdon's bumbling innocence.

Esther Muir, as the love interest Kitty, also delivers an excellent performance, bringing a much-needed sense of calm and gentleness to the often-comical proceedings. The chemistry between Langdon and Muir is delightful, and their scenes together provide a much-needed break from the frantic pace of the film.

The supporting cast is equally impressive, with standout performances from comedians Al St. John and Bud Jamison. They provide excellent comic relief and add to the overall enjoyment of the movie.

The film's direction by William Beaudine is simple yet effective, and he manages to maintain a consistent pace throughout the film, building up to the climax with precision. The script by Tim Ryan and Charles Roberts is witty and fast-paced, with several memorable one-liners and comedic situations.

Overall, Misbehaving Husbands is an entertaining comedy that will leave you smiling. It is a must-watch for fans of screwball comedies and anyone who appreciates classic cinema. The film's timeless appeal is a testament to the talent of its cast and crew and is a testament to the longevity of comedy in cinema history.

Misbehaving Husbands is a 1940 classic with a runtime of 59 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2.