What Every Woman Knows (1934 film)

What Every Woman Knows
Helen Hayes in film trailer
Directed by	Gregory La Cava
Produced by	Gregory La Cava Albert Lewin
Written by	Monckton Hoff John Meehan James Kevin McGuinness
Based on	What Every Woman Knows by J. M. Barrie
Starring	Helen Hayes Brian Aherne Madge Evans
Production company	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date	October 19, 1934 (1934-10-19)
Running time	89-92 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$428,000
Box office	$502,000

What Every Woman Knows (1934) is an American romantic comedy film directed by Gregory La Cava and starring Helen Hayes, Brian Aherne and Madge Evans. The film was produced and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and is based on the play What Every Woman Knows (1908) by J. M. Barrie. It was filmed by Paramount back in the silent era in 1921 and starred Lois Wilson. An even earlier British silent version was filmed in 1917. Hayes was familiar with the material as she had starred in a 1926 Broadway revival opposite Kenneth MacKenna.

Alick Wylie (David Torrence) and his sons David (Donald Crisp) and James (Dudley Digges) are greatly concerned about Alick's daughter Maggie (Helen Hayes), who has been jilted by a minister. She is less than heartbroken, but they fear for her marital prospects at the age of 27. When they catch poor but ambitious 21-year-old John Shand (Brian Ahern) breaking into their house late at night to use their library, they seize the opportunity. Impressed by his initiative, they offer him £300 to finance his studies provided that he give Maggie the option of marrying him after five years. After some thought, he agrees. The Wylies insist he sign a formal contract.

As the five years draw to an end, he stands for Parliament and wins. Two of the "quality", la Contessa la Brierre (Lucile Watson) and her niece Lady Sybil Tenterden (Madge Evans), show up to congratulate him. Lady Sybil had lately shown an unexpected interest in politics after seeing the handsome victor.