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6.1/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 6.1/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. No More Women remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a thing for 1930s-style verbal sparring matches that last just a little bit too long, you might get a kick out of this. It’s definitely for people who like their protagonists to be aggressively stubborn and maybe a little bit exhausting. If you want a movie where people actually grow or change, look elsewhere—these guys are stuck in a loop of punching and posturing. 🌊
The whole thing feels like an endless arm-wrestling contest that somehow moved from a bar to the bottom of the sea. Victor McLaglen and Edmund Lowe have this very specific, frantic energy that I guess was the standard for “tough guys” back then. They spend so much time puffing their chests out that I started feeling tired for them.
I found myself wondering if they ever just wanted to sit down and have a quiet cup of coffee. Probably not. It’s all about salvaging gold and chasing after Sally Blane, who honestly deserves way better than these two knuckleheads.
There is a scene near the middle—you know the one—where they’re just shouting over the sound of a boat engine. It goes on for about 30 seconds too long, and the silence afterwards is almost painful. You can practically feel the editor just giving up and letting them keep going.
The shift to the tugboat setting actually helps a bit. At least there’s some scenery change from the murky underwater shots, which look like they were filmed in someone’s oversized bathtub. The underwater bits have this weird, hazy quality, like the camera was constantly being splashed by salt water.
It’s not as gritty or grounded as something like The Champ, even though it tries to lean into that same kind of masculine rivalry. Here, the stakes feel a lot lower, and the humor is... well, it’s 1934 humor. It’s a bit dusty.
One weird detail: the way they hold their hats while arguing. It’s so intentional. Like, they’re about to throw a punch but they make sure their hat is securely placed on their head first. It’s the little things, right? 🎩
I don't think this is a lost masterpiece, but it’s a decent way to kill an hour if you don't mind the constant bravado. It’s loud, it’s predictable, and the chemistry between the two leads is just pure, unadulterated annoyance. And honestly? Sometimes that’s enough.
IMDb —
1921
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