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The Divorcee Overview:

The Divorcee (1930) was a Romance - Drama Film directed by Robert Z. Leonard (uncredited) and produced by Robert Z. Leonard and Irving Thalberg.

The film was based on the novel Ex-Wife written by Ursula Parrott published in 1929.

Academy Awards 1929/30 --- Ceremony Number 3 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActressNorma ShearerWon
Best DirectorRobert Z. LeonardNominated
Best PictureMetro-Goldwyn-MayerNominated
Best Writing(John Meehan)Nominated
See More Oscar Winners

The Divorcee BlogHub Articles:

The Divorcee (1930) with Norma Shearer

By Orson De Welles on Dec 10, 2015 From Classic Film Freak

Share This! A Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer All Talking Picture! Surprisingly, with that tagline, The Divorcee is a film I only fell asleep through twice- and that’s a bit of a sham. In a never-ending quest to bring new stars into our fold, I had a mission of sorts to bring insightful commentary (or at ... Read full article

One year, one film: 1930 – The Divorcee

By Lindsey on Apr 5, 2015 From The Motion Pictures

One year, one film: 1930 The film: The Divorcee, dir. Robert Z. Leonard starring Norma Shearer, Chester Morris, Robert Montgomery, Conrad Nagel Rating: Recommended | Highly Recommended | MUST-SEE (Image via Movie Poster Shop) The “One year, one film” series has reached the pre-code era... Read full article

The Divorcee (1930) (2)

By Kristen on Jul 26, 2012 From Journeys in Classic Film

I’m reviewing all five films (and one documentary)(in the Forbidden Hollywood volume two box set:   Review of Night Nurse Review of Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin, and Censorship in pre-Code Hollywood Having watched a pre-Code Barbara Stanwyck in Night Nurse, a film I enjoyed, let’s look... Read full article

The Divorcee (1930) (1)

By Angela on Nov 11, 2011 From Hollywood Revue

While staying at a resort with some friends, Jerry (Norma Shearer) and Ted (Chester Morris) decide to get married with one stipulation — that their marriage will be a marriage of equals. Their friends are thrilled for them and spend the rest of the night celebrating their good news. Well, e... Read full article

Things I Love About The Divorcee (1930)

By shadowsandsatin on Jul 16, 2011 From Shadows and Satin

I could watch The Divorcee over and over again (and I do)! Starring three of my favorite Pre-Code performers – Norma Shearer, Chester Morris and Robert Montgomery – this film has it all. Great story, acting, set design, costumes, dialogue – I just love it. Here are some of the reasons why: Che... Read full article

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The Divorcee Quotes:

Ivan: Tell me the truth.
Jerry Bernard Martin: The truth?
[laughs]
Jerry Bernard Martin: The last thing any man wants to hear from any woman!
Jerry Bernard Martin: What am I going to be doing while you're saving your first million?
Theodore 'Ted' Martin: Waiting for me.
Jerry Bernard Martin: [Giggles] Waiting isn't my idea of the king of indoor sports. I've no intention of waiting around for three or four years while you harvest an additional crop of wild oats.
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.
Don: A man should be willing to lay down more tha one wife for his country.
Jerry Bernard Martin: Gee whiz, but I'm glad to see you. Say, I've missed you like the dickens, Helen!
See More Quotes from The Divorcee
The Divorcee Facts
"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.
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 skeptical - 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.
Shooting wrapped in only 22 days and surprisingly for MGM, there were no retakes.
The listing for Robert Z. Leonard as "producer" is actually in lieu of a director's credit. At the time, instead of crediting its directors as such, MGM frequently listed their names as "A blank Production" on the same card as the main title. Leonard's actual function on this film was director, not producer.
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