The Women in His Life (1933)

A brilliant, successful criminal defense attorney's life is turned upside down when he takes on a case of a murdered woman who turns out to be an old flame who left him 10 years ago.

Director:

George B. Seitz

Writer:

F. Hugh Herbert (original screen play)

Stars:

Otto Kruger, Una Merkel, Ben Lyon

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Otto Kruger	...	Kent 'Barry' Barringer
Una Merkel	...	Miss 'Simmy' Simmons
Ben Lyon	...	Roger McKane
Isabel Jewell	...	Catherine 'Cathy' Watson
Roscoe Karns	...	Lester
Irene Hervey	...	Doris Worthing
C. Henry Gordon	...	Tony Perez
Samuel S. Hinds	...	Thomas J. Worthing
Irene Franklin	...	Mrs.Florence Steele / Madame Celeste
Muriel Evans	...	Molly
Raymond Hatton	...	Curly
Jean Howard	...	Information Girl
Paul Hurst	...	Paul

Storyline

A brilliant, successful criminal defense attorney's life is turned upside down when he takes on a case of a murdered woman who turns out to be an old flame who left him 10 years ago.

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Plot Keywords:

male female relationship | husband wife relationship | womanizer | wager | trial | 

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Taglines:

He thought he could cheat love...but Cupid and the Devil joined hands to outwit him! You'll never guess the end of this mystery romance! (Print Ad-Nashua Telegraph,((Nashua NH)) 6 January 1934)

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

The opening scene features Otto Kruger playing a Pinball Machine. This is the earliest known on-screen appearance of a Pinball Machine in a major production. At the time, flippers had not yet been invented and pinball machines were often used for gambling. There was a lot of public debate at the time as to whether pinball was a game of skill or chance, and it was banned in many parts of the country. The movie played on that debate with Kruger making a bet with his lady-friend, and when complimented for his luck, replies "Not luck - skill."

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Quotes

Roger McKane: Miss Worthing is a very fine girl and I'm deeply sorry for her.
Lester: Sure! I was sorry about a dame once. I'm still sorry.

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Connections

Referenced in Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood (2008)

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Soundtracks

We Must Have One More Rum-Tum-Tum
(uncredited)
Composer unknown
Sung a cappella by Roscoe Karns and Irene Franklin

User Reviews

Formulaic High Gloss MGM

This is a women's picture but it's packed as a mystery. Otto Kruger is the star. He was an interesting actor: He had a long career -- from silents through low budget pictures in the forties. Distinguished looking, doubtless a good actor. But he never made it nor does he ever really convince.

Here he is a hotshot lawyer. He's carrying a still-burning torch for a woman. Women who currently surround him are treated like tramps.

We meet him dispatching one criminal case. Another client comes to him soon after and that's where the real plot begins.

The supporting cast is good. But there is no real mystery. There's no mystery in the sense of who did it; who will be punished, and how and when. Furthermore, there is no mystery about what stereotypes are going to be employed about the various characters.

The supporting cast is fine. But that's what everyone is: supporting cast. The acting is unremarkable. Yes, Una Merkel has her usual verve. But that is an acquired taste. And it's irrelevant to this movie.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 December 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Comeback

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1