They Knew What They Wanted stars Carole Lombard, Charles Laughton, William Gargan, Harry Carey, and Karl Malden. in his debut.
Based on a 1924 Pulitzer Prize winning play by Sidney Howard, the film version was directed by Garson Kanin from a screenplay by Robert Ardrey.
In 1956, Frank Loesser turned the play into a musical entitled The Most Happy Fella.
Oscar Alert:
Best Supporting Actor nomination: William Gargan.
