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{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = The Divorcee
| name = The Divorcee
| image = The Divorcee poster.jpg
| image = The Divorcee - Rotogravure One Sheet 27 X 41.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| border =
| caption = Rotogravure poster
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Robert Z. Leonard]]
| director = [[Robert Z. Leonard]]
| producer = Robert Z. Leonard
| producer = Robert Z. Leonard
| writer = [[Nick Grinde]]<br/>[[Zelda Sears]]<br/>[[John Meehan (screenwriter)|John Meehan]]
| writer = [[Nick Grinde]]<br/>[[Zelda Sears]]<br/>[[John Meehan (screenwriter)|John Meehan]]
| screenplay =
| screenplay =
| story =
| story =
| based_on = {{based on|''Ex-Wife''<br>1929 novel|[[Ursula Parrott]]}}
| based_on = {{based on|''[[Ex-Wife (Ursula Parrott)|Ex-Wife]]''<br>1929 novel|[[Ursula Parrott]]}}
| narrator =
| narrator =
| starring = [[Norma Shearer]]<br/>[[Chester Morris]] <br> [[Conrad Nagel]]
| starring = [[Norma Shearer]]<br/>[[Chester Morris]] <br> [[Conrad Nagel]]
| music = [[Jack Yellen]]<br/>[[Milton Ager]]
| music = [[Jack Yellen]]<br/>[[Milton Ager]]
| cinematography = [[Norbert Brodine]]
| cinematography = [[Norbert Brodine]]
| editing = [[Hugh Wynn]]
| editing = [[Hugh Wynn]]
| studio =
| studio =
| distributor = [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]
| distributor = [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]
| released = {{Film date|1930|04|30|United States}}
| released = {{Film date|1930|04|30|United States}}
| runtime = 84 mins.
| runtime = 84 minutes
| country = United States
| country = United States
| language = English
| language = English
| budget =
| budget =
| gross =
| gross =
}}
}}


'''''The Divorcee''''' is a 1930 American [[Pre-Code Hollywood|pre-Code]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] written by [[Nick Grindé]], [[John Meehan (screenwriter)|John Meehan]], and [[Zelda Sears]], based on the 1929 novel ''Ex-Wife'' by [[Ursula Parrott]]. It was directed by [[Robert Z. Leonard]], who was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Director]]. The film was also nominated for [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]], and won [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] for its star [[Norma Shearer]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Thise|first=Mark|title=Hollywood Winners & Losers A to Z|year=2008|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|isbn=978-0-879-10351-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/hollywoodwinners0000this/page/197 197]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/hollywoodwinners0000this/page/197}}</ref>
'''''The Divorcee''''' is a 1930 American [[Pre-Code Hollywood|pre-Code]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama film]] written by [[Nick Grindé]], [[John Meehan (screenwriter)|John Meehan]], and [[Zelda Sears]], based on the 1929 novel ''[[Ex-Wife (Ursula Parrott)|Ex-Wife]]'' by [[Ursula Parrott]]. It was directed by [[Robert Z. Leonard]], who was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Director]]. The film was also nominated for [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]], and won [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] for its star [[Norma Shearer]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Thise|first=Mark|title=Hollywood Winners & Losers A to Z|year=2008|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|isbn=978-0-879-10351-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/hollywoodwinners0000this/page/197 197]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/hollywoodwinners0000this/page/197}}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
Ted, Jerry, Paul, and Dorothy are part of the New York in-crowd. Jerry's decision to marry Ted crushes Paul. He gets drunk and drives, causing an accident that leaves Dorothy's face disfigured. Out of guilt, Paul marries Dorothy. Ted and Jerry have been married for three years when, on the evening of their third anniversary, she discovers that he has had a brief affair with another woman. Ted tells Jerry it did not "mean a thing". Upset, and with Ted away on a business trip, Jerry spends the night with his best friend, Don. Upon Ted's return, she tells him that she "balanced our accounts", withholding Don's name.
Ted, Jerry, Paul, and Dorothy are part of the New York in-crowd. Jerry's decision to marry Ted crushes Paul. He gets drunk and drives, causing an accident that leaves Dorothy's face disfigured. Out of guilt, Paul marries Dorothy. Ted and Jerry have been married for three years when, on the evening of their third anniversary, she discovers that he has had a brief affair with another woman. Ted tells Jerry it did not "mean a thing". Upset, and with Ted away on a business trip, Jerry spends the night with his best friend, Don. Upon Ted's return, she tells him that she "balanced our accounts", withholding Don's name.


Ted is hypocritically outraged, and they argue, which ends with Ted leaving her and the couple filing for a divorce. While Jerry turns to partying to forget her sorrows, Ted becomes an alcoholic. Paul and Jerry run into each other, and she discovers that he still loves her and is willing to leave Dorothy, with whom he is in a loveless, resentful marriage, to be with her. They spend two weeks together and plan for a future together.
Ted is outraged, and they argue, which ends with Ted leaving her and the couple filing for a divorce. While Jerry turns to partying to forget her sorrows, Ted becomes an alcoholic. Paul and Jerry run into each other, and she discovers he still loves her and is willing to leave Dorothy, with whom he is in a loveless, resentful marriage, to be with Jerry. They spend two weeks together and plan for a future together.


Dorothy comes to speak with Jerry at her home but Paul is coincidentally meeting Jerry for dinner and the three meet for an awkward exchange. Despite good arguments from Paul, Dorothy’s desperation to not lose him forces Jerry to reevaluate her decision to leave with Paul. Ultimately, Jerry admits that she regrets giving up on her first marriage. She decides to see if her husband will reconcile, disappointing Paul bitterly a second time.
Dorothy comes to speak with Jerry at her home but Paul is coincidentally meeting Jerry for dinner and the three have an awkward exchange. Despite good arguments from Paul, Dorothy’s desperation not to lose him forces Jerry to reevaluate her decision to leave with Paul. Ultimately, Jerry admits she regrets giving up on her first marriage. She decides to see if her husband will reconcile, disappointing Paul bitterly a second time.


Weeks later, on her third attempt to locate Ted in Paris, Jerry finally finds him at a New Year's Eve party. After a polite exchange, Ted expresses his regret at how he reacted before the divorce. Jerry tells Ted her true feelings, and the two kiss at midnight to begin the new year, and presumably their new lives, together.
Weeks later, on her third attempt to locate Ted in Paris, Jerry finally finds him at a New Year's Eve party. After a polite exchange, Ted expresses his regret at how he reacted before the divorce. Jerry tells Ted her true feelings, and the two kiss at midnight to begin the new year, and presumably their new lives, together.
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* [[Conrad Nagel]] as Paul
* [[Conrad Nagel]] as Paul
* [[Robert Montgomery (actor)|Robert Montgomery]] as Don
* [[Robert Montgomery (actor)|Robert Montgomery]] as Don
* [[Judith Wood|Helen Johnson]] as Dorothy (sister of Mary)
* [[Judith Wood]] as Dorothy (sister of Mary) (billed as Helen Johnson)
* [[Helene Millard]] as Mary (sister of Dorothy)
* [[Helene Millard]] as Mary (sister of Dorothy)
* [[Florence Eldridge]] as Helen Baldwin
* [[Florence Eldridge]] as Helen Baldwin
* [[Mary Doran]] as Janice Meredith
* [[Mary Doran]] as Janice Meredith
* [[Robert Elliott (actor)|Robert Elliott]] as Bill Baldwin
* [[Robert Elliott (actor, born 1879)|Robert Elliott]] as Bill Baldwin
* [[Tyler Brooke]] as Hank
* [[Tyler Brooke]] as Hank
* [[Zelda Sears]] as Hannah (Jerry's maid)
* [[Zelda Sears]] as Hannah (Jerry's maid)
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==Release==
==Release==
''The Divorcee'' was released on DVD by Warner Home Video on March 8, 2008 (along with ''[[A Free Soul]]'', also starring Norma Shearer), as one of five pre-Code films in the "TCM Archives - Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Vol. 2" DVD box set. Other movies with the same title were released in 1917, 1919, and 1969.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}
Warner Home Video released ''The Divorcee'' (along with ''[[A Free Soul]]'', also starring Norma Shearer) as part of a DVD box set of five pre-Code films called the Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Vol. 2 on March 4, 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |title=TCM Archives - Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Vol. 2 (The Divorcee / A Free Soul / Night Nurse / Three on a Match / Female) |url=https://www.amazon.com/TCM-Archives-Forbidden-Hollywood-Collection/dp/B000YRY7VC |access-date=July 30, 2024 |website=Amazon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Forbidden Hollywood Collection: Volume Two DVD |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/Forbidden-Hollywood-Collection-Volume-Two-DVD/151027/ |access-date=July 30, 2024 |website=Blu-ray.com}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
Norma Shearer won the [[Academy Award for Best Actress]]. Also starring in the film are [[Robert Montgomery (actor)|Robert Montgomery]], [[Conrad Nagel]], [[Judith Wood|Helen Johnson]], and [[Florence Eldridge]].
Norma Shearer won the [[Academy Award for Best Actress]]. It was also nominated for [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]], [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]], and [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Writing]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-09 |title=The 3rd Academy Awards {{!}} 1931 |url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1931 |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=www.oscars.org |language=en}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{commons category|The Divorcee}}
{{commons category|The Divorcee}}
* {{IMDb title|0020827}}
* {{IMDb title|0020827}}
* {{tcmdb title|id=114|title=The Divorcee}}
* {{TCMDb title|114}}
* {{allmovie|14078|Synopsis}}
* {{AllMovie title|14078}}
* {{AFI film|3776}}
* {{AFI film|3776}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|divorcee|The Divorcée}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|divorcee|The Divorcée}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Divorcee, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Divorcee, The}}
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actress Academy Award-winning performance]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actress Academy Award–winning performance]]
[[Category:1930 films]]
[[Category:1930 films]]
[[Category:1930 drama films]]
[[Category:1930 drama films]]
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[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Films based on American novels]]
[[Category:Films based on American novels]]
[[Category:Films set in New York City]]
[[Category:American drama films]]
[[Category:American drama films]]
[[Category:1930s English-language films]]
[[Category:1930s English-language films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Robert Z. Leonard]]
[[Category:Films directed by Robert Z. Leonard]]
[[Category:Adultery in films]]
[[Category:Films about adultery in the United States]]
[[Category:Films about divorce]]
[[Category:Films about divorce]]
[[Category:Films based on works by Ursula Parrott]]
[[Category:Films based on works by Ursula Parrott]]

Latest revision as of 17:08, 2 November 2024

This article is about the 1930 film. For the 1919 silent film, see The Divorcee (1919 film).

The Divorcee
Rotogravure poster
Directed byRobert Z. Leonard
Written byNick Grinde
Zelda Sears
John Meehan
Based onEx-Wife
1929 novel
by Ursula Parrott
Produced byRobert Z. Leonard
StarringNorma Shearer
Chester Morris
Conrad Nagel
CinematographyNorbert Brodine
Edited byHugh Wynn
Music byJack Yellen
Milton Ager
Distributed byMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • April 30, 1930 (1930-04-30) (United States)
Running time
84 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Divorcee is a 1930 American pre-Code drama film written by Nick Grindé, John Meehan, and Zelda Sears, based on the 1929 novel Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott. It was directed by Robert Z. Leonard, who was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director. The film was also nominated for Best Picture, and won Best Actress for its star Norma Shearer.[1]

Plot

[edit]

Ted, Jerry, Paul, and Dorothy are part of the New York in-crowd. Jerry's decision to marry Ted crushes Paul. He gets drunk and drives, causing an accident that leaves Dorothy's face disfigured. Out of guilt, Paul marries Dorothy. Ted and Jerry have been married for three years when, on the evening of their third anniversary, she discovers that he has had a brief affair with another woman. Ted tells Jerry it did not "mean a thing". Upset, and with Ted away on a business trip, Jerry spends the night with his best friend, Don. Upon Ted's return, she tells him that she "balanced our accounts", withholding Don's name.

Ted is outraged, and they argue, which ends with Ted leaving her and the couple filing for a divorce. While Jerry turns to partying to forget her sorrows, Ted becomes an alcoholic. Paul and Jerry run into each other, and she discovers he still loves her and is willing to leave Dorothy, with whom he is in a loveless, resentful marriage, to be with Jerry. They spend two weeks together and plan for a future together.

Dorothy comes to speak with Jerry at her home but Paul is coincidentally meeting Jerry for dinner and the three have an awkward exchange. Despite good arguments from Paul, Dorothy’s desperation not to lose him forces Jerry to reevaluate her decision to leave with Paul. Ultimately, Jerry admits she regrets giving up on her first marriage. She decides to see if her husband will reconcile, disappointing Paul bitterly a second time.

Weeks later, on her third attempt to locate Ted in Paris, Jerry finally finds him at a New Year's Eve party. After a polite exchange, Ted expresses his regret at how he reacted before the divorce. Jerry tells Ted her true feelings, and the two kiss at midnight to begin the new year, and presumably their new lives, together.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

MGM production head Irving Thalberg bought the rights to Ex-Wife in the summer of 1929. Thalberg's original choice for the role of Jerry was Joan Crawford.[2]

Norma Shearer, Thalberg's wife, originally was not in the running for the lead role in The Divorcee because it was believed that she did not have enough sex appeal. Only after Shearer arranged a special photo session with independent portrait photographer George Hurrell, and Thalberg saw the result, did he relent and give her the role.[3]

Release

[edit]

Warner Home Video released The Divorcee (along with A Free Soul, also starring Norma Shearer) as part of a DVD box set of five pre-Code films called the Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Vol. 2 on March 4, 2008.[4][5]

Reception

[edit]

Norma Shearer won the Academy Award for Best Actress. It was also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Writing.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Thise, Mark (2008). Hollywood Winners & Losers A to Z. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 197. ISBN 978-0-879-10351-4.
  2. ^ Fleming, E. J. (2008). Paul Bern: The Life and Famous Death of the MGM Director and Husband of Harlow. McFarland. p. 146. ISBN 978-0-786-43963-8.
  3. ^ Wayne, Jane Ellen (2003). The Golden Girls of MGM: Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Lana Turner, Judy Garland, Ava Gardner, Grace Kelly, and Others. Da Capo Press. p. 51. ISBN 0-786-71303-8.
  4. ^ "TCM Archives - Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Vol. 2 (The Divorcee / A Free Soul / Night Nurse / Three on a Match / Female)". Amazon. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  5. ^ "Forbidden Hollywood Collection: Volume Two DVD". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  6. ^ "The 3rd Academy Awards | 1931". www.oscars.org. October 9, 2014. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
[edit]
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