Review of Men Without Women

Apparently, the full sound English language version of this movie no longer exists...but a hybrid version was just posted on The Criterion Channel..and this is the one I just saw. When I say hybrid, this is a film where music, some singing and sound effects were added...but the rest is essentially a silent film. This was the case with the supposed first full-length sound movie, "The Jazz Singer"...though it only had bits and pieces of sound within anotherwise silent film. It is odd to see a hybrid from 1930, as hybrid films mostly came out in 1927-29. By 1930 nearly all American productions had full sound. Perhaps Fox Studio held this one from release...and that would explain why Ford's first all-sound film actually came out a year before "Men Without Women".

There is a plot about a guy assuming a new identity following an accident in the navy. Well, this really isn't very important to the film. What is important is that the submarine he is on ends up colliding with another ship and sinking...and NOT in a normal or good way! What follows is a tense, harrowing and claustophobia-inducing portion of the film....exceptionally realistic and well made. In fact, I think this hybrid film is MUCH better than his earlier all sound movie, "The Black Watch". The best parts of the film are the direction and sets...they really are top notch.

By the way, if you do watch, keep a sharp eye out for John Wayne in a tiny role as a radio operator on the surface. Blink and you just might miss it!