The Divorcee (1930)

Writers:

Ursula Parrott (novel)
Nick Grinde (treatment) ...
(more)

Release Date:

19 April 1930 (USA)

Genre:

Romance | Drama

Tagline:

A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer All Talking Picture!

Plot:

When a woman discovers that her husband has been unfaithful to her, she decides to respond to his infidelities in kind.

Plot Keywords:

Infidelity | Face | Party | Marriage | Divorce

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 3 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Feb. 22

12:15 PM

TCM

Cast

Norma Shearer	...	Jerry Martin
Chester Morris	...	Theodore 'Ted' Martin
Conrad Nagel	...	Paul
Robert Montgomery	...	Don
Florence Eldridge	...	Helen Baldwin
Helene Millard	...	Mary, Dot's sister
Robert Elliott	...	Bill Baldwin
Mary Doran	...	Janice Meredith
Tyler Brooke	...	Hank
Zelda Sears	...	Hannah, Jerry's maid
George Irving	...	Dr. Bernard, Jerry's father
Judith Wood	...	Dorothy 'Dot' (as Helen Johnson)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Neal Dodd	...	Hospital Minister (uncredited)
Charles R. Moore	...	First porter opening window (uncredited)
Lee Phelps	...	Party Guest (uncredited)
George Reed	...	Second porter (uncredited)
Carl Stockdale	...	Divorce judge (uncredited)
Jack Trent	...	Helen's bridge partner (uncredited)
Theodore von Eltz	...	Ivan (uncredited)

Directed by
Robert Z. Leonard		(uncredited)

Writing credits
Ursula Parrott		(novel "Ex-Wife")
Nick Grinde		(treatment) (as Nick Grindé) and
Zelda Sears		(treatment)
John Meehan		(dialogue and continuity)

Produced by
Robert Z. Leonard	....	producer
Irving Thalberg	....	producer (uncredited)

Cinematography by
Norbert Brodine		(as Norbert Brodin)

Film Editing by
Hugh Wynn
Truman K. Wood		(uncredited)

Art Direction by
Cedric Gibbons

Costume Design by
Adrian		(gowns)

Sound Department
Douglas Shearer	....	recording director
James Brock	....	sound engineer (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (controlled by Loew's Inc.)

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1930) (USA) (theatrical)
• Warner Home Video (2008) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (199?) (USA) (VHS)
• Turner Entertainment (TV)

Runtime:

84 min (copyright length) | USA:82 min (Turner library print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

"The Divorcee" is one of the few films made by actress Florence Eldridge, who plays Helen, that did not also feature her far more famous husband, actor Fredric March.

Goofs:

Continuity: Jerry types an address on an envelope, but when she seals a letter inside it, the envelope is still blank.

Quotes:

Theodore 'Ted' Martin: I'd like to make love to you till you scream for help.
Jerry Bernard Martin: [Putting her hands around her throat to pantomine stifling a scream] Can't scream.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Irving Thalberg: Prince of Hollywood (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Tiger Rag

Norma Shearer gives one of the all-time great performances

The Divorcée, set in 1930 New York, profiles a pair of party-making revelers amidst an entire circle of friends in high society. . .before and after they dare to turn their lives over to the institution of marriage, which in this world of around the clock carousing is a far cry from what is expected of them by their partying circle of friends. Norma Shearer, in what truly is one of the silver screen's great performances, plays the creatively witty and sweetly charming high society gal Jerry Martin. She can have any man in the group, but chooses Ted. They are married, and enter into an enduring period of romantic fairytale bliss (3 Years). Then, on the eve of their 3rd wedding anniversary everything unravels in a sea of infidelity, bitter honesty, and emotion. Norma Shearer's performance completely enraptures, and in an honest portrayal of ensuing emotional fallout, we see the inner struggles of the modern enlightened woman of her time. Robert Mongomery, in a supporting role, shines as well as the veritable proprietor of the circle of friends and one of the reveling agents of promiscuous redress. The film's direction is interesting, the makeup slightly absurd (it is 1930), and the cinematography non-existent. . .yet Ms Shearer's riveting abilities entrance the audience, and more than carry the day.