The Divorcee
| The Divorcee | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Robert Z. Leonard |
| Produced by | Robert Z. Leonard |
| Written by | Nick Grinde Zelda Sears John Meehan |
| Starring | Norma Shearer Chester Morris |
| Music by | Yellen & Ager |
| Cinematography | Norbert Brodine |
| Editing by | Hugh Wynn |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Release date(s) | April 19, 1930 |
| Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Divorcee is a 1930 American drama film written by Nick Grindé, John Meehan and Zelda Sears, based on the 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]
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[edit] Synopsis
Chester Morris plays a roving husband who has a brief affair with another woman — and tells his wife it doesn't "mean a thing". When his wife, Norma Shearer, sets out to "settle the account" by having an affair with his best friend, the husband suddenly discovers that it might actually mean something after all. Norma Shearer won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Also starring in the film are Robert Montgomery, Conrad Nagel, and Florence Eldridge.
[edit] Casting
According to popular film lore, Shearer was originally never in the running for the lead role in The Divorcee because it was believed that she didn't have enough sex appeal; it was only after Shearer arranged a special photo session with studio portrait photographer George Hurrell and her husband saw the result, that he relented and gave her the role. The original choice was Joan Crawford, who purportedly never forgave Shearer for usurping the role.[2]
[edit] Releases
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.
[edit] Cast
- Norma Shearer as Jerry Martin
- Chester Morris as Ted Martin
- Conrad Nagel as Paul
- Robert Montgomery as Don
- Florence Eldridge as Helen Baldwin
- Helene Millard as Mary
- Robert Elliott as Bill Baldwin
- Mary Doran as Janice Meredith
- Tyler Brooke as Hank
- Zelda Sears as Hannah
- George Irving as Dr Bernard
- Judith Wood as Dorothy (Dot)
