Let's be realistic.

It is a performances centric movie

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

....and that's the most exciting line in the movie!!! Taken from a play called "The Second Man" starring the irrepressible Lunt and Fontanne, it was buried on it's release because of it's obscure title "He Knew Women". Alice Joyce had the Fontanne role of Alice Frayne but she was definitely still finding her talkie feet. Yes, she did come across as a "lady of the manor" but talkies were often a nightmare for stars who were more comfortable in silents. Funny though, when she had an extended talking sequence her voice took on a more regular tone. The same for the other actress in the film, Frances Dade. She was a Joan Bennett 1930 lookalike but without Bennett's nice vocal tone. Five minutes of Dade's screechy pseudo upper crust voice and it's a wonder both men didn't run a mile but again as the film progressed she seemed to calm down in her delivery.The film is tailor made for debonair Lowell Sherman who as witty raconteur Geoffrey Clarke is addressing the heart sick members of the Bachelor's Club (all pretty flappers) as he braves the path of a new venture - matrimony!! But already he is off to a rocky start - he is late and has to do some fancy double talk to stop fiancée Alice from walking out ("I wish I wasn't in love with you" - "Don't worry, you won't be for long"!!). One of Clark's conquests who refuses to give up is Monica Grey (Dade) - even with simpering Austin Lowe (David Manners) crying on Clark's shoulder about how much he loves Monica. But she can't shake her infatuation for Geoffrey. Just when the four are about to go to the theatre Monica drops a bombshell - Geoffrey must marry her because of last night!!! ("I'll marry you Monica, but the joke will be on you with me by your side"!!) Austin has found one of Monica's gloves on the sofa and he goes to pieces, threatening to kill Clark!! David Manners sits somewhere in the middle - new to movies but not over wrought in his acting, surprising, given his hysterical part. Once Sherman leaves the apartment and the two young lovers take the centre stage the film bogs down in amateur acting and you long for the return of Lowell and some fireworks!!

Beautiful women are disappointed at a "bachelor luncheon" given in honor of middle-aged New York writer Lowell Sherman (as Geoffrey Clarke). He's giving up "love" to settle down and marry wealthy and attractive widow Alice Joyce (as Alice Frayne). The charming Mr. Sherman needs a steadier income than his stories provide. Sherman's best friend David Manners (as Austin Lowe) also wants to marry. The young millionaire chemist is in love with penniless blonde Frances Dade (as Monica Grey). The quartet have a problem, however. Bored with Mr. Manners, Ms. Dade claims to be in love with Sherman. The older man is tempted, but advises Dade to stick with Manners. Sherman tries to match her up with Manners, but Dade is determined to marry Sherman...The second-billed player has the more minor role, but Ms. Joyce handles it skillfully. While not the story's focus, the film offers viewers a good look at Ms. Joyce in a featured role. She was one of the first "movie star" women to achieve great popularity. Making box office and popularity polls from 1912-1918, she increased her reputation as a fine actress with wise film choices during the 1920s. She could play the leading woman or a supporting role, as she does here. Her quiet, natural style has aged as well as Joyce; alas, she retired after one more film...You'd know "He Knew Women" was based on a stage play without investigating. Written by S.N. Behrman, it started as "The Second Man" (1927), which starred Broadway's now legendary duo Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. Director Hugh Herbert and the RKO crew keep it simple and the approach works. Essentially, this is minimalist drawing room play with four characters; it does not appear much was done to extend the original. Without stock footage or showy locations, you simply feel close to the stage. Sherman is the star and becomes convincing by channeling both Mr. Lunt and, especially, John Barrymore. Having Sherman be more desirable than Manners is a tough sell, but Manners is just delicate enough to make Sherman appear more desirable. It's worth a look.****** He Knew Women (4/18/30) Hugh Herbert ~ Lowell Sherman, Frances Dade, David Manners, Alice Joyce

The staging and performances of this movie betray its stage origins. Despite the best efforts of cinematographer Edward Cronjager, this is a one-set Broadway play, with Lowell Sherman playing an urbane sponge, about to marry creditor Frances Dade. Meanwhile, Alice Joyce (in her penultimate screen role) is caught between Lowell and wealthy David Manners.Everyone is very charming in this show and behaves in a most understanding manner, until David Manners decides to shoot Sherman. However, while it might have appealed to the Broadway audience of the 1920s as a serious work, it creaks. Lowell Sherman makes his character interesting by self-aware stage business, but his future lay in direction.