Other Men's Women (1931)

Shockingly mediocre! It’s directed by the notable William Wellman but you’d never know he was more than a factory hack based on this awkward film. Granted, it’s an early talkie but still. Two railroad men and lifelong friends (Grant Withers, Regis Toomey) come into conflict when Toomey finds out his wife (Mary Astor) and Withers are in love with each other. The film is stilted and its leading man, Grant Withers, is plain pitiful. It’s clear why he never became a major actor and his drunk scenes are cringe inducing. By the time we have a blind man stumbling in the rain along the railroad tracks and jumping on a train and driving it himself, I just gave up. Some of the crude special effects (notably a flood) are decent for its era. In smaller and minor roles, two future stars stand out: James Cagney (who briefly does a little hoofing) and Joan Blondell. I must say though that the transfer is incredibly sharp and crisp for a film of its vintage.