the plot device of have a person show up after an absence on a pacific island and after be declare dead and only to find their spouse marry to another person serve comically for irene dunne in my favourite wife and fred macmurray in this trifle and adapt from a somerset maugham play . ( the serious side be recently explore in tom hank cast away ) . this be merely a photographed stage play for basically four principal melvyn douglas and fred macmurray act like teen agers vie for common wife and jean arthur and with harry davenport in support a her father . it be a one joke film that tire way before it 84 minute be up . totally unremarkable even the star seem a if they be push it beyond it reasonable bound to try to evoke some fun or magic and but they fail . for some reason the sound recording be oscar nommed undeserved . however and the inventive and comical score ( fun use of bassoon and oboe ) be neglect though it deserve the only nod . strictly for fan of the star and for insomniac .