The Divorcee *** (1930, Norma Shearer, Chester Morris, Conrad Nagel, Robert Montgomery, Florence Eldridge) – Classic Movie Review 6818

Norma Shearer won the 1930 Best Actress Oscar as Jerry, a married woman who discovers her newspaper-career husband Ted (Chester Morris) is unfaithful and leaves him to enjoy the same infidelity pleasures as he does. Jerry runs into old friend Paul (Conrad Nagel), who still loves her. [Spoiler alert] But, typically for a ‘woman’s picture’ of the era, Jerry finally returns to her alcoholic husband Ted.

Producer-director Robert Z Leonard’s well-made, plushly crafted 1930 MGM romantic drama movie may seem theatrical and creaky now, with the acting styles of Shearer, Morris and Nagel having faded unfairly, but it is still intriguing and watchably entertaining.

For all that her acting his dated, the unfashionable Shearer remains quite appealing in a role that became an archetype for many such Shearer portrayals to come. Shearer had previously appeared in more prim and proper, ladylike roles and was determined to change her image to do sexier, sensuous parts, though her producer husband Irving Thalberg was doubtful and her maid told her not to take the bad woman part.

Based on Ursula Parrott’s 1929 bestseller novel Ex-Wife, The Divorcee was a huge hit in its day. The name of the racy novel was not credited on screen.

Also in the cast are Conrad Nagel, Robert Montgomery, Florence Eldridge, Helene Millard, Robert Elliott, Mary Doran, Tyler Brooke, Zelda Sears, George Irving and Judith Wood (as Helen Johnson).

The Divorcee is directed by Robert Z Leonard, runs 84 minutes, is made by MGM, is written by John Meehan, Nick Grinde and Zelda Sears, based on Ursula Parrott’s novel Ex-Wife, is shot in black and white by Norbert Brodine, is produced by Robert Z Leonard, and is designed by Cedric Gibbons.

Irving Thalberg was the actual producer, not the credited Leonard. With no retakes, it was a fast 22 day shoot.

Joan Crawford supposedly never forgave Shearer for taking the role she wanted. She moaned how often Shearer got the roles she wanted: ‘What do you expect? She [Shearer] sleeps with the boss [her producer husband Thalberg].’

Oscar winners were then revealed before the ceremony. In 1931, Shearer and Best Actor winner George Arliss [for Disraeli (1929)] posed with their Oscars two days before the banquet.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6818

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