What Men Want (1929): Still Worth a Look?

Alright, so What Men Want is one of those films. You know, a silent picture from way back in 1929. If you’re already a fan of silent cinema, or just curious about how stories were told before everyone started talking on screen, this one’s probably worth your time. It’s a pretty straightforward melodrama, but it has some moments that stick with you. If you need snappy dialogue and quick cuts, well, you’ll probably find yourself a bit bored, and that’s okay.

The core of it is pretty simple: a playboy, his mistress (Pauline Starke), and another man who actually sees her for more than just a good time. Starke’s character, Eleanor, is really trying to navigate this tricky emotional landscape. Then her younger sister, Lucy (Barbara Kent), shows up, and things get all twisted up, as they always do in these kinds of stories. 💔

Pauline Starke carries a lot of the film on her shoulders, and she’s quite good at it. There’s a scene early on where she’s just listening to the playboy, Julian (Hallam Cooley), talk, and her face goes through about three different emotions in quick succession. You can almost feel her weighing her options, or maybe just her weariness. It’s subtle for a silent film performance, which is saying something.

Hallam Cooley, though, as the playboy Julian, he’s a bit much. He has this **permanent smirk** that never quite leaves his face, even when he’s supposed to be serious. It makes him feel less like a charming scoundrel and more like someone who just remembered a funny joke in the middle of a tense conversation. It’s not terrible, but it kept pulling me out of his scenes.

The real surprise for me was Barbara Kent as Lucy. She’s supposed to be the innocent, wide-eyed sister, and she plays it well enough. But there’s a moment, after she discovers something important, where her reaction is just a blank stare. Like, not shocked, not sad, just… *confused*. It felt oddly real, almost like she didn’t quite grasp the full weight of it, which is probably how a sheltered young woman might actually react.

The film asks, right there in its title, What Men Want. And honestly, it feels like it offers a few different answers, or maybe no clear one at all. Julian wants control, status, and maybe just a pretty arm candy. The other man, Bob (Robert Ellis), seems to want genuine connection and respect. It’s less about a universal truth and more about these particular guys and their particular flaws.

There's this one shot of a city street, probably a backlot, and it's raining. The way the light reflects off the wet cobblestones, it’s surprisingly atmospheric. It only lasts a few seconds, but it really stuck with me. A simple touch, but effective.

The pacing can feel a little uneven. Some scenes zip by with a flurry of intertitles, pushing the plot forward. Then others, especially the emotional ones, just hold. One shot of Eleanor looking out a window goes on for what feels like a minute. It’s meant to convey her inner turmoil, and it mostly does, but you do start to wonder if the camera operator just forgot to cut. 🤷‍♀️

You can see the late 20s fashion on full display too. The women’s dresses are just gorgeous, all flowing fabrics and intricate details. The men’s suits are sharp, but a bit stiff for modern eyes. It’s a good peek into that era, even if the story itself is pretty timeless.

Overall, What Men Want isn’t going to change your world. But it’s a solid example of silent-era melodrama. It’s got a few genuinely touching performances, some bits that feel a little clunky, and a title that’s more question than answer. If you’re looking for a quiet afternoon with a slice of film history, you could do worse. Just don't expect a fast-paced thriller. Expect feelings. Lots of them. 🎞️