Dream Wife (1953)
A sparkling MGM romantic comedy starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, where love, diplomacy, and the idea of the perfect wife collide hilariously.
Dream Wife - Movie Information
- Original Title: Dream Wife
- Release Year: 1953
- Directed by: Sidney Sheldon
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Romance
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 40m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 19, 1953 (United States - NR)
- Alternative Titles: Quem é Meu Amor? (BR)
- Production Companies: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Production Countries: United States of America
Dream Wife - Plot
Clemson Reade, a business tycoon with marriage on his mind, and Effie, a U.S. diplomat, are a modern couple. Unfortunately there seems to be too much business and not enough pleasure on the part of Effie. When Clemson meets Tarji, a princess trained in all the arts of pleasing men, he decides he wants an old fashioned girl. Princess Tarji's father is king of oil-rich Bukistan. Because of the oil situation and to maintain good political relations during the courtship between Clemson & Tarji, the State Department assigns a diplomat to maintain protocol until the wedding - Effie!
Dream Wife - Trailer
See the classic comedy charm of Cary Grant in action right here:
It's a RIOT how Cary carries on!
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Dream Wife - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Sidney Sheldon
Main Cast
- Cary Grant
- Deborah Kerr
- Walter Pidgeon
- Betta St. John
- Eduard Franz
- Buddy Baer
- Les Tremayne
- Donald Randolph
- Bruce Bennett
- Richard Anderson
Writers
- Sidney Sheldon
- Herbert Baker
Producers
- Dore Schary
Dream Wife - FAQs
What is Dream Wife (1953) about?
Dream Wife follows Clemson Reade, a wealthy tycoon who grows frustrated with his career-driven fiancée Effie and becomes enchanted by Tarji, a princess raised to cater to a man's every wish. The film is a sharp, playful comedy that pokes fun at gender roles, diplomacy, and the very idea of the 'perfect' partner.
Does Dream Wife have a happy ending?
Yes, Dream Wife wraps up with a satisfying romantic resolution. The film's comedic twists ultimately steer Clemson toward recognizing what he truly values in a partner, delivering the warm, feel-good conclusion you'd expect from a classic MGM romantic comedy of the era.
Where can you stream Dream Wife (1953)?
You can rent or buy Dream Wife on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It's widely available for digital purchase, so tracking down this classic Cary Grant comedy is pretty straightforward across most major platforms.
Why is Effie assigned to chaperone Princess Tarji?
In a delicious twist of irony, the State Department assigns Effie — Clemson's own fiancée — as the diplomatic chaperone during his courtship of Princess Tarji. Because Tarji's father rules the oil-rich kingdom of Bukistan, maintaining proper protocol is politically essential, putting Effie in the awkward position of supervising her own romantic rival.
Who are the main cast members of Dream Wife?
The film stars Cary Grant as the lovesick tycoon Clemson Reade, Deborah Kerr as his sharp-witted diplomat fiancée Effie, and Betta St. John as the enchanting Princess Tarji. Walter Pidgeon rounds out the main cast as diplomat Walter McBride, lending the film extra comedic weight.
Who directed Dream Wife and also wrote the screenplay?
Sidney Sheldon both directed and co-wrote Dream Wife alongside Herbert Baker. Sheldon is better known today as a bestselling novelist, but in the early 1950s he was an active Hollywood screenwriter and director. This film stands as one of his notable directorial efforts from that period.
Is Dream Wife based on a true story or source material?
Dream Wife is an original screenplay rather than an adaptation of a novel or true events. Sidney Sheldon and Herbert Baker crafted the story specifically for the screen, building its satirical premise — a man choosing between a modern career woman and a traditionally trained princess — from scratch.
What are some movies similar to Dream Wife?
If you enjoyed Dream Wife, you might also like Bluebeard's 8th Wife (1938), Father of the Bride (1950), Hitch (2005), or What's Love Got to Do with It? (2023). Each shares a similar comedic spirit around romance, courtship, and the entertaining complications that come with matters of the heart.
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