

They Knew What They Wanted
1940, English. Directed by Garson Kanin.
"I won't Do it! Joe...you and me...we can't. It'd be too awful-on account of Tony. I've got to marry Tony...just as soon as he gets well!"
While courting a young woman by mail, a rich farmer sends a photograph of his foreman instead of his own, which leads to complications when she accepts his marriage proposal.
- Runtime
- 1h 36m
- Post-credits
- None listed
- Language
- English
- Rated
- NR
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Where to watch They Knew What They Wanted
They Knew What They Wanted isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 19 October 1940.
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Cast & crew
- Garson KaninDirector
- Carole LombardAmy Peters
- Charles LaughtonTony Patucci
- William GarganJoe
- Harry CareyThe Doctor
- Frank FayFather McKee
- Joseph E. BernardThe R.F.D.
- Janet FoxMildred
- Lee Tung FooAh Gee, the Cook
- Karl MaldenRed
- Victor KilianThe Photographer
- Demetrius AlexisRestaurant Customer (uncredited)
- Ricca AllenMrs. Thing (uncredited)
Details
- Released
- 19 October 1940
- Country
- United States of America
- Written by
- Robert Ardrey
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News & fan talk
What They Knew What They Wanted is based on
They Knew What They Wanted is based on They Knew What They Wanted, a 1925 dramatic work by Sidney Howard.
Dramatic work · 1925
They Knew What They Wanted
By Sidney Howard
Source details from Wikidata and TMDB.
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They Knew What They Wanted: quick answers
Is They Knew What They Wanted worth watching?
They Knew What They Wanted doesn’t have enough ratings for a verdict yet.
How long is They Knew What They Wanted?
They Knew What They Wanted runs 96 minutes (1h 36m).
Does They Knew What They Wanted have a post-credits scene?
None is listed for They Knew What They Wanted. Viewers tag these on TMDB, so a brand-new film may not be tagged yet.
They Knew What They Wanted parents guide: is it suitable for kids?
They Knew What They Wanted is rated NR in India. Check the rating guidance before watching with young children.
Which OTT platform is They Knew What They Wanted on?
They Knew What They Wanted isn’t streaming on any OTT platform in India yet; it released on 19 October 1940. (Checked 12 November 2026.)
What movies are like They Knew What They Wanted?
If you liked They Knew What They Wanted, try The Secret: Dare to Dream, The Lost Husband, Flamingo Road.
Who directed They Knew What They Wanted?
They Knew What They Wanted (1940) was directed by Garson Kanin and stars Carole Lombard, Charles Laughton, William Gargan.
What is They Knew What They Wanted based on?
They Knew What They Wanted is based on They Knew What They Wanted, a 1925 dramatic work by Sidney Howard.