Trivia / A Letter to Three Wives

• Cast the Runner-Up: Celeste Holm wanted the part of Rita. Joseph L. Mankiewicz convinced her to take the part of Addie instead.
• Enforced Method Acting: To get the proper look of derision from Lora Mae when she stares at the picture of Addie, Joseph L. Mankiewicz used a picture of Otto Preminger, who had given Linda Darnell such a hard time during the filming of Forever Amber.
• Playing Against Type: This is one of the few nice guys Kirk Douglas played in his career.
• Romance on the Set: Linda Darnell and Joseph L. Mankiewicz fell in love on the set, though Mankiewicz ultimately ended the affair when he decided he couldn't leave his wife.
• What Could Have Been: Back when there was going to be four wives, Anne Baxter was cast as the fourth wife.
  • Joan Crawford was considered for Addie.
• Write What You Know: Mankiewicz based the character of George on his father.