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They Knew What They Wanted (1940)

96 min  -  Drama | Romance  -   19 October 1940 (USA)
6.3
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Ratings: 6.3/10 from 133 users  
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Tony (Charles Laughton), a successful but illiterate middle-aged grape farmer, sends the photograph of his handsome young foreman... See full summary »

Director:

Garson Kanin

Writers:

Robert Ardrey (screenplay), Sidney Howard (play)
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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Carole Lombard ...
Amy Peters
Charles Laughton ...
Tony Patucci
William Gargan William Gargan ...
Joe
Harry Carey Harry Carey ...
The doctor
Frank Fay Frank Fay ...
Father McKee
Joseph E. Bernard Joseph E. Bernard ...
The R.F.D. (as Joe Bernard)
Janet Fox Janet Fox ...
Mildred
Lee Tung Foo Lee Tung Foo ...
Ah Gee, the Cook (as Lee Tung-Foo)
Karl Malden ...
Red
Victor Kilian Victor Kilian ...
The photographer
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Storyline

Tony (Charles Laughton), a successful but illiterate middle-aged grape farmer, sends the photograph of his handsome young foreman, Joe (William Gargan), instead of his own, hoping to woo and marry Amy (Carole Lombard), a waitress in a San Francisco restaurant. Through a series of letters, the two become close and Tony invites his "future wife" to visit. When the beautiful, young Amy arrives at Tony's Napa, California ranch she falls for the wrong man thinking that Joe is the wealthy Tony. When Tony tries to win her over in broken English, she is at first furious and then charmed. But Tony breaks his legs while showing off to impress Amy, and -- left alone to care for a cripple -- she reluctantly succumbs to Joe's charms and becomes pregnant. Although Tony discovers that he has been cuckolded and that Joe has run off, his anger turns to genuine love and he offers to take Amy back unconditionally for the sake of the child and his own true feelings for Amy. Written by E. Summer  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

You have seen great motion pictures! We believe you have not seen a greater motion picture than this!

Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Din nästas hustru See more »

Filming Locations:

Napa Valley, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

USA:

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

In March 1941, RKO was distributing this film on a double bill with Queen of Destiny. ( Queen of Destiny was distributed with the alternate title "Queen of Destiny".) See more »

Connections

Remake of A Lady to Love (1930) See more »