THE DIVORCEE - 1930

 

The Divorcee - 1930

Director - Robert Z. Leonard
Stars:  Norma Shearer, Robert Montgomery and Chester Morris

SYNOPSIS:
Jerry and Ted are young, in love, and part of the New York 'in-crowd'. Jerry's decision to marry Ted crushes a yearning Paul. Distraught Paul gets drunk and wrecks his car, disfiguring young Dorothy's face in the process. Out of pity, Paul marries Dorothy. Years later, the apparent perfect marriage of Ted and Jerry falls apart from infidelity on both sides. Inwardly unhappy, popular Jerry lives a party life while Ted sinks into a life of alcoholism. Jerry then runs into Paul, who still loves her. After spending time together with Jerry, Paul plans to divorce Dorothy. When Jerry sees Dorothy again, she has second thoughts about where her life is heading.

TAGLINES:
A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer All Talking Picture!

RELEASE
USA 19 April 1930

TECHNICAL SPECS
Runtime: 84 min (copyright length)  | USA: 82 min (Turner library print)
Sound Mix: Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Colour: Black and White
Aspect Ratio: 1.20 : 1

AWARDS
1930  Won Oscar Best Actress in a Leading Role - Norma Shearer
Nominated
Oscar Best Director - Robert Z. Leonard
Best Picture (M-G-M).
Best Writing, Achievement John Meehan

TRIVIA
Prior to this film, Norma Shearer had primarily played very "proper," ladylike roles. She was eager to change her image and do parts that were more sensuous, so she launched a campaign to get the part of Jerry. MGM producers were sceptical - none more so than Irving Thalberg, who was also Shearer's husband. To convince him that she could handle a more "sexy" role, Shearer did a photo shoot with her posing provocatively in lingerie, and after seeing the pictures, Thalberg agreed to cast her. The decision paid off, as Shearer won Best Actress at the Academy Awards that year.

GOOFS
Anachronisms: 1928 was Jerry's 3rd Wedding Anniversary, yet, the band in the nightclub/speakeasy is playing "Happy Days are Here Again" which was not composed for another year.

QUOTES
Jerry Bernard Martin: [slipping on a diamond ring] Oh, I couldn't think of accepting such a valuable gift!
Off-screen man: But, my dear, my feeling for you is purely platonic.
Jerry Bernard Martin: Really? I've heard of platonic love, but I didn't know there was such a thing as platonic jewellery.

TCM Archives - Forbidden Hollywood Collection, Vol. 2 (The Divorcee / A Free Soul / Night Nurse / Three on a Match / Female) ~ Norma Shearer