By Violet LeVoit
He Knew Women
Brief Synopsis
A novelist has to chose between his wealthy patron and a penniless romantic.
Cast & Crew
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Hugh Herbert
Director
Lowell Sherman
Geoffrey Clarke
Alice Joyce
Alice Frayne
David Manners
Austin Lowe
Frances Dade
Monica Grey
Myles Connolly
Associate Producer
Film Details
Genre
Comedy
Adaptation
Drama
Romance
Release Date
May
18,
1930
Premiere Information
New York premiere: 18 Apr 1930
Production Company
RKO Productions
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel The Second Man by S. N. Behrman (New York, 1927).
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 26m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
6,317ft
Synopsis
Geoffrey Clarke, a poet always in need of money, decides to resolve his financial plight by marrying wealthy widow Alice Frayne, though he is madly pursued by beautiful Monica Grey. He counters Monica's disappointment with the argument that she would be happier married to Austin Lowe, a wealthy young chemist who loves her. Geoffrey arranges for Monica to dine with Austin in his (Geoffrey's) apartment; and though she treats Austin rudely, upon discovering a check that Mrs. Frayne has given Geoffrey she denounces him and agrees to marry Austin. Later, she desperately announces that Geoffrey has compromised her and insists that he marry her; consequently, Mrs. Frayne breaks the engagement. Austin, mortified at Monica's story, tries to shoot Geoffrey; and when she learns of this action, Monica realizes that Austin is her man. Meanwhile, as they sail for Europe, Clarke is reconciled with Mrs. Frayne.
Cast
Lowell Sherman
Geoffrey Clarke
Alice Joyce
Alice Frayne
David Manners
Austin Lowe
Frances Dade
Monica Grey
Crew
Film Details
Genre
Comedy
Adaptation
Drama
Romance
Release Date
May
18,
1930
Premiere Information
New York premiere: 18 Apr 1930
Production Company
RKO Productions
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the novel The Second Man by S. N. Behrman (New York, 1927).
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 26m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
6,317ft
Articles
He Knew Women -
The "He" in question is Geoffrey Clarke (Lowell Sherman), a poet who decides it's time to get married. But when he chooses moneyed widow Alice Frayne (Alice Joyce) over lovely - and loving - Monica (Frances Dade), the slighted woman vengefully marries equally moneyed Austin (David Manners). One attempted shooting and a boat to Europe later, all's well in the end, and Variety concurred this picture is "endowed with brilliant direction [and] acting". This parlor drama, as well as other light, saucy films like The Demi-Bride (1927) and The Cardboard Lover (1928) were written by director F. Hugh Herbert, who would later gain notoriety when he teamed up with Otto Preminger in a united front against the previously ironclad Hays Code, in defense of the 1953 movie adaption of Herbert's play The Moon Is Blue. (Leading man Lowell Sherman had already weathered his own scandal, as one of the participants in the wild party that destroyed Fatty Arbuckle's career.)
By Violet LeVoit
By Violet LeVoit
He Knew Women -
The "He" in question is Geoffrey Clarke (Lowell Sherman), a poet who decides it's time to get married. But when he chooses moneyed widow Alice Frayne (Alice Joyce) over lovely - and loving - Monica (Frances Dade), the slighted woman vengefully marries equally moneyed Austin (David Manners). One attempted shooting and a boat to Europe later, all's well in the end, and Variety concurred this picture is "endowed with brilliant direction [and] acting". This parlor drama, as well as other light, saucy films like The Demi-Bride (1927) and The Cardboard Lover (1928) were written by director F. Hugh Herbert, who would later gain notoriety when he teamed up with Otto Preminger in a united front against the previously ironclad Hays Code, in defense of the 1953 movie adaption of Herbert's play The Moon Is Blue. (Leading man Lowell Sherman had already weathered his own scandal, as one of the participants in the wild party that destroyed Fatty Arbuckle's career.)
By Violet LeVoit
