The Couple Takes a Wife is a 1972 American television film. It was directed by Jerry Paris and starred Bill Bixby and Paula Prentiss.Wanted: A Reliable Rabbit for Paula Haber, Joyce. Los Angeles Times 10 Oct 1972: d11 It was one of Prentiss' first telemovies. It was broadcast as an ABC Movie of the Week.
Plot A working couple decides to hire a second "wife" (a woman named Jennifer)--who looks good and works hard around the house--but complications ensue.
Cast Bill Bixby as Jeff Hamilton Paula Prentiss as Barbara Hamilton Myrna Loy as Mother Robert Goulet as Randy Perkins Nanette Fabray as Marion Randolph Larry Storch as David Valerie Perrine as Jennifer Allen Penny Marshall as Paula Ruth McDevitt as Mrs. Flannigan Carmen Zapata as Maria Bert Holland as Mr. Kaplan Helen Kleeb as Miss Robbins
Reception The show aired in December 1972. It was the 17th highest rated program of the week with ratings of 24.2 and a share of 37.HOLIDAY SPECIALS AT TOP OF NEW NIELSENS Los Angeles Times 22 Dec 1972: d24.
The New York Times thought it had some "genuine charm" but was "done in by the last half hour."TV: Young Marrieds: 'Couple Takes a Wife,' Movie on A.B.C., Has Charm Here and There Thompson, Howard. New York Times 5 Dec 1972: 95. The Los Angeles Times called it "slick, sophisticated."TV REVIEW: Menage a Trois vs. Traditional Marriage Thomas, Kevin. Los Angeles Times 5 Dec 1972: c19.
References
External links
The Couple Takes a Wife at the British Film Institute