JohnHowardReid Copyright 14 October 1946 by Monogram Pictures Corp. No recorded New York opening. U.S. release: 2 November 1946. U.K. release through Pathé: 1 September 1947. Australian release through British Empire Films: 17 July 1947. 8 reels. 6,634 feet. 73 minutes.U.K. release title: SHADOW OF BLACKMAIL.SYNOPSIS: A lonely hearts club is used as a front for extortion and blackmail.NOTES: Kay Francis retired permanently from the screen after this one, though she did appear in two TV episodes in the early 50's. She died in 1968. COMMENT: Produced by Miss Francis herself and Jeffrey Bernerd, Wife Wanted is a lively, well-produced programmer with a top-rate cast, including Paul Cavanagh who renders an especially edgy and forceful performance as a very smooth and totally unscrupulous villain. On the other hand, Robert Shayne seems a bit strained as the romantic lead. Phil Karlson's direction always comes over as admirably slick and the film itself has a surface gloss usually missing in Monogram productions (thanks no doubt to the extra cash provided by Miss Francis). The script maintains interest well, although the conclusion remains disappointingly tame.

mark.waltz "Wavishing" Kay Francis is still striking to look at in her last film, even if stills from this movie make her look older than she actually comes off. Having searched for this film forever, I wasn't expecting much, having heard it was probably the weakest of her three Monogram films, the other two being "Divorce" (her as a home wrecker) and "Allotment Wives" (head of a crime ring), and here playing the heroine as she had been cast for years at Warner Brothers where at one time, she was the highest paid star there, and thus, their biggest, even if box office results weren't always tops.The problem with "Wife Wanted" is its messy plot line involving a lonely heart's club racket with murder in its method. Kay is blackmailed into becoming a part of it and sets up her "employers" for a fall. Taking in "drama queen" Teala Loring, Francis becomes the target of the boss's cynical secretary (Veda Ann Borg in a delightful hard-boiled performance) while Loring contemplates suicide every time Francis is out of her very lavish art deco apartment. Loring is so over the top that at times, she doesn't seem real at all, sort of reminding me of the Phyllis Brooks character from "The Seventh Victim" with pretty much everything other than the scary hairstyle.Made with just a touch of "noir", "Wife Wanted" is a curiosity piece simply because of its rarity and its place in the career of Ms. Francis who was too busy with theater after this was made to consider returning to film at this point and for some reason, never did. I consider this the weakest of her three Monogram films because of its convoluted structure. The three films are among the best looking of Monogram's movies, mainly because the producer was a former "A" list movie star whose name alone stood for fashion and style.

Alex da Silva Kay Francis (Carole) is an actress who is getting no parts and is persuaded to invest in real estate by Paul Cavanagh (Caldwell) so that he can use her wealthy connections. However, she is soon drawn into his other side-racket which involves blackmailing wealthy clients as they join a dating agency. Francis has no option as Cavanagh has set her up as the guilty party in the murder of Barton Yarborough (Walter Desmond) and he holds this over her. Journalist Robert Shayne (Bill Tyler) is suspicious and joins the agency to solve the mystery of the dead man and meets with Francis.The film is rushed in parts, for example, the ending just happens all of a sudden. That's that. The film is also, sadly, a bit boring. It starts well but then just gets a bit confusing and dull. The best of the cast is evil Veda Ann Borg (Nola) who plays Cavanagh's partner and heads the dating agency racket. We needed far more from her and far less from Teala Loring (Mildred), a victim of the agency scam, who is appalling. This woman can not act. And it's great when she falls down the stairs. The story has an interesting premise that could have been so much better.

Geoff Lambert Not bad at all for a "Poverty Row" production. Have always wanted to see one of Kay Francis' "Monogram Trio". Fairly good story line involving a dating agency she invests in and which leads to all sorts of complications. Also, plenty of familiar faces in support - the faces you know but can't put a name to. Kay looks as ravishing as in her heyday and plays her part in a mostly beautifully subdued way. Unfortunately the print I have is not very good, but, considering she was 47 at the time, this may even compliment her. Not a single wrinkle to be seen!! Well worth watching if you're a Kay Francis fan. A real collector's item.