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      They Knew What They Wanted

      Released Oct 19, 1940 1h 36m Drama List
      Reviews 40% 250+ Ratings Audience Score Immigrant Tony Patucci (Charles Laughton) may be the successful owner of a vineyard in California, but he's self-conscious about his poor English and lacks social grace. So when he spies fetching waitress Amy (Carole Lombard), he decides to pursue her by letter and tosses in a photo of his handsome foreman Joe (William Gargan) for good measure. When Amy comes to visit, she's furious at the deception. Tony eventually wins her over, but she can't ignore her growing feelings for Joe. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      steve d Passable but dated... Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member The best romance movie ever made! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Oscar nominated, in the same idea as Cyrano De Burgerac, ghost writer employee writes letter for a grape farmer Tony (Charles Laughton). It's another Beauty and the Beast. Desperate waitress thinks she is willing to accept any honest offer of marriage. You never saw Laughton like he acts here, compelete with Italian accent. This film was young Karl Malden's debut film appearance. Oscar nominated supporting actor Gargen stars as the confirmed bachelor helping Laughton. Stay for the last half of the film, it's worth it. [img]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sg0roNwC8WM/Unb9nMFdY4I/AAAAAAAAMfk/tDSo3ww3YOo/s1600/d%25C3%25A9part+de+carole.jpg[/img] Carol Lombard and real life husband Clark Gable Most of us remember Charles Laughton from his late career Mutiny on the Bounty or Hunchback of Notre Dame. But this one is much different. Laughton is the unmarried Italian farmer, not literate, who sees Carol Lombard as a waitress in town and is infatuated with her. [img]http://cdn.gowatchit.com/posters/original/movie_177516.jpg[/img] SEE the entire film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQstWfckPlo [img]http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41jsX8%2BL-mL.jpg[/img] Carol Lombard right, Charles Laughton next to her NOTES: 1 Based on the 1924 Pulitzer Prize winning play with the same name by Sidney Howard. 2 William Gargan was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Carole Lombard as Amy Peters Charles Laughton as Tony Patucci William Gargan as Joe Harry Carey as A doctor Frank Fay as Father McKee Janet Fox as Mildred Lee Tung Foo as Ah Gee Karl Malden as Red (his debut role) [img]http://pics.livejournal.com/vp19/pic/00404zep/s320x240[/img] Directed by Garson Kanin Produced by Harry E. Edington Erich Pommer Music by Alfred Newman Cinematography Harry Stradling Editing by John Sturges Studio RKO Radio Pictures Distributed by RKO Radio Pictures Release dates October 19, 1940 (US) Running time 90 minutes Country United States Language English [img]http://www.carolelombard.org/gallery/albums/Film%20Posters/They_Knew_What_They_Wanted.jpg[/img] Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Classic love-triangle tragedy, but with Charles Laughton involved there are plenty of light-hearted moments as well. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Charles Laughton, a great actor, is horribly miscast here, with an Italian accent straight out of a Dolmio advert. Fortunately, Carole Lombard is wonderful - and watch out for a young Tom Ewell in a minor part. The story has potential, but is ultimately too clumsily moralistic. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member dated with laughton giving an over the top performance but carole lombard gives a beautiful one, not exactly balancing it out but still a worthwhile view. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Photos

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      They Knew What They Wanted

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (1) Critics Reviews
      George Orwell Time and Tide Skilful acting by Charles Laughton and Carole Lombard. Oct 2, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Immigrant Tony Patucci (Charles Laughton) may be the successful owner of a vineyard in California, but he's self-conscious about his poor English and lacks social grace. So when he spies fetching waitress Amy (Carole Lombard), he decides to pursue her by letter and tosses in a photo of his handsome foreman Joe (William Gargan) for good measure. When Amy comes to visit, she's furious at the deception. Tony eventually wins her over, but she can't ignore her growing feelings for Joe.
      Director
      Garson Kanin
      Screenwriter
      Robert Ardrey
      Distributor
      RKO Radio Pictures
      Genre
      Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Oct 19, 1940, Original
      Runtime
      1h 36m