In Name Only

This was included in the first season of The ABC Movie of the Week launched in 1969. One of the series first tries at comedy, it's got a good cast, notably Eve Arden, who elevates every scene she's in. Bill Daily's character has some funny moments, as does Herb Edelman's. Elsa Lanchester is delightfully eccentric, and on a historical note this is one of the films that Ann Prentiss made in her heyday before darker times befell her. Elinor Donahue and Ruth Buzzi are also on hand as 2 of the wives "in name only". There are some amusing ideas floating around but not enough to really get it going. Episodic in that each couple has a story which unfolds around the premise. That helps it from bogging down more than it does, but overall it's just ok.