They Knew What They Wanted (1940): Cast
They Knew What They Wanted is a 1940 romantic drama directed by Garson Kanin, starring William Gargan as Joe, Charles Laughton and Carole Lombard. It runs 1 hour 36 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 36m (96 min)
- Director
- Garson Kanin
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- RKO Radio Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is They Knew What They Wanted About?
The premise of They Knew What They Wanted without spoilers.
“I won’t do it, Joe…you and me…we can’t. It’d be too awful—on account of Tony. I have to marry Tony…as soon as he gets well!” In the story, a prosperous farmer courting a young woman by correspondence deceives her by sending a photograph of his foreman instead of himself. When she accepts his marriage proposal, the mistaken identity creates a series of comic complications.
They Knew What They Wanted Themes & Keywords
· 44 tags- pulitzer prize source
- wealth
- remake
- based on a stage play
- mail order bride
- grape farmer
- miscegenation
- racial stereotype
- foreman
- photograph
- farmer
- restaurant
+32 more Show fewer
- california
- ranch
- marriage proposal
- waitress
- engagement
- forgiveness
- waving goodbye
- saying goodbye
- crying man
- punched in the face
- chinese cook
- unwed pregnancy
- unplanned pregnancy
- correspondence
- fainting
- pregnancy
- san francisco california
- broken leg
- priest
- doctor
- best friend
- falling off a roof
- love triangle
- pen pal
- love letter
- italian american
- celebration
- vineyard
- farm
- illiteracy
- letter writing
- mistaken identity
They Knew What They Wanted Cast & Characters
William Gargan leads the cast as Joe, with Charles Laughton as Tony Patucci and Carole Lombard as Amy Peters. Directed by Garson Kanin; 26 actors are credited in all.
- Director Garson Kanin
- William Gargan as Joe
- Charles Laughton as Tony Patucci
-
Carole Lombard as Amy Peters -
Harry Carey as The Doctor
Also Starring in They Knew What They Wanted
· 22 more- Karl Malden Red
- Tom Ewell New Hired Hand (uncredited)
- Paul Panzer Proprietor of Italian Restaurant (uncredited)
- Frank Fay Father McKee
- Nestor Paiva Tony's Pal at Table (uncredited)
- Bobby Barber Tony's Pal at Table (uncredited)
- Victor Kilian The Photographer
- Marie Blake Waitress (uncredited)
- Bobby Hale Restaurant Customer (uncredited)
- Joseph E. Bernard The R.F.D.
- Lee Tung Foo Ah Gee, the Cook
- Antonio Filauri Customer (uncredited)
- Stephen Soldi Restaurant Customer (uncredited)
- Grace Lenard Waitress (uncredited)
- Demetrius Alexis Restaurant Customer (uncredited)
- Ricca Allen Mrs. Thing (uncredited)
Show all 26 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Paul Le Pere Hired Hand (uncredited)
- Effie Anderson Nurse (uncredited)
- Janet Fox Mildred
- Millicent Green Waitress (uncredited)
- Patricia Oakley Waitress (uncredited)
- Joe Sully Father of the Family (uncredited)
More from Garson Kanin
More films directed by Garson Kanin: Some Kind of a Nut, Where It’s At, The True Glory and A Salute to France.
Seen They Knew What They Wanted?
Movies Like They Knew What They Wanted
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including They Wanted to Marry, A Lady to Love and That Wonderful Urge.
They Knew What They Wanted FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of They Knew What They Wanted, each answered in a sentence.
How long is They Knew What They Wanted?
They Knew What They Wanted runs 1 hour 36 minutes (96 minutes).
When was They Knew What They Wanted released?
They Knew What They Wanted was released on October 19, 1940.
Who directed They Knew What They Wanted?
They Knew What They Wanted was directed by Garson Kanin.
More films by Garson Kanin Who is in the cast of They Knew What They Wanted?
They Knew What They Wanted stars William Gargan as Joe, Charles Laughton as Tony Patucci and Carole Lombard as Amy Peters, among 26 credited actors.
Does They Knew What They Wanted have a post-credit scene?
No. They Knew What They Wanted has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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