Films from the early talkie era are always interesting, even fascinating, since it was easy to be innovative and creative with things that hadn't been done before. As the name implies, "Other Men's Women" suggests infidelity with possible dire consequences and so it is here. Jack Culper (Regis Toomey) and Bill White (Grant Withers) are best friends and railroad engineer partners who have a falling out over Jack's wife Lily (Mary Astor). When an unanticipated kiss between Bill and Lily occurs, a torrent of emotion is unleashed between the two. Lily intends to protect her husband from this knowledge however, leading to a series of events that ultimately end in tragedy.
My primary interest in the picture was to see James Cagney in another one of his early screen appearances. He had larger parts in two 1930 pictures - "Sinners' Holiday" and "The Doorway To Hell", but just as in those films, not being top billed meant nothing to the multi-talented performer. Cagney gives a preview of the self confident swagger you'll catch in later movies, and even gets to show off some of his fancy footwork as he takes to the dance floor in one scene. His character Ed Bailey doesn't have any bearing on the story's outcome, but when you see him, you'll be glad he's there.
Joan Blondell is also on hand as a snappy diner waitress who knows the score, but she'll just as easily let you know she's 'A.P.O.' - 'Ain't puttin' out'! Generally I like Blondell in these early films, but there's an embarrassing scene midway when she and Bill get tipsy together, and they both over emote a bit. It's a cinch you won't catch it as one of her film highlights.
As the movie heads for the finale, one has a pretty good idea how things will turn out for Jack, now suffering blindness as a result of an altercation with Bill. What one isn't prepared for though is the ambiguous way the relationship between Bill and Lily is dealt with, even if the suggestion of a happy ending between the two is apparent. It still leaves unresolved the earlier feelings of guilt triggered by that single, simple kiss.
My primary interest in the picture was to see James Cagney in another one of his early screen appearances. He had larger parts in two 1930 pictures - "Sinners' Holiday" and "The Doorway To Hell", but just as in those films, not being top billed meant nothing to the multi-talented performer. Cagney gives a preview of the self confident swagger you'll catch in later movies, and even gets to show off some of his fancy footwork as he takes to the dance floor in one scene. His character Ed Bailey doesn't have any bearing on the story's outcome, but when you see him, you'll be glad he's there.
Joan Blondell is also on hand as a snappy diner waitress who knows the score, but she'll just as easily let you know she's 'A.P.O.' - 'Ain't puttin' out'! Generally I like Blondell in these early films, but there's an embarrassing scene midway when she and Bill get tipsy together, and they both over emote a bit. It's a cinch you won't catch it as one of her film highlights.
As the movie heads for the finale, one has a pretty good idea how things will turn out for Jack, now suffering blindness as a result of an altercation with Bill. What one isn't prepared for though is the ambiguous way the relationship between Bill and Lily is dealt with, even if the suggestion of a happy ending between the two is apparent. It still leaves unresolved the earlier feelings of guilt triggered by that single, simple kiss.