You Can't Fool Your Wife (1940)

In the monotonous world of Andrew and Clara Hinklin, life is as simple as it is uneventful. After their college romance blossomed into matrimony, the couple settled into a routine existence in their snug one-bedroom abode, shared with Clara's outspoken mother. Following five years of marriage, the thrill has faded, and Clara yearns for the exciting life her husband Andrew once promised during their honeymoon. Her wish for a livelier existence takes an unforeseen twist when Andrew, a diligent worker in an accounting firm, is tasked with entertaining the firm's majority shareholder, Mr. Battingcourt Jr., affectionately known as "Batty." A vivacious party enthusiast from the London office, Batty's fondness for revelry soon begins to influence Andrew, transforming him from the staid husband Clara knows and loves into a party animal nicknamed "Hinky." As Clara watches her once-stable life unravel, she fears she's losing Andrew to the party life. Sensing his role in their marital discord, Batty proposes an audacious plan to help Clara win back her spouse - by reinventing herself as the alluring and exotic Dolores Alvaradez, designed to mirror the beautiful and exciting Mercedes Vasquez. Eager to rekindle the spark in her marriage, Clara agrees to masquerade as Dolores at one of their parties to woo Hinky, hoping to prove that she can be every bit as exotic and vibrant as he now seems to desire. The scheme takes a chaotic turn when others discover Batty's plot, and the real Mercedes Vasquez graces the party, setting the stage for a whirlwind of mistaken identities, misunderstandings, and unexpected revelations. Amid the chaos, will Clara be able to reignite the flame in her marriage, or will she lose Andrew to his newfound party-loving alter ego? As the intrigue unfolds, 'You Can't Fool Your Wife' delivers a captivating exploration of love, identity, and the lengths one will go to reclaim lost passion.

You Can't Fool Your Wife is a comedy movie featuring Lucille Ball and directed by Ray McCarey.

You Can't Fool Your Wife is currently streaming on TCM.