The Divorcee (1930)

My Review

“The Divorcee” is a Pre-Code romantic drama movie about a divorced couple who attempt to get back together but discover that reconciliation is not as easy as it sounds. Director Robert Z. Leonard (“The Bachelor Father” 1931) put together an insightful film with good production values, memorable performances, and good writing. The screenplay by John Meehan, Nick Grinde, and Zelda Sears was based on the 1929 novel “Ex-Wife” by Ursula Parrott.

The cast includes Norma Shearer, Chester Morris, Conrad Nagel, Robert Montgomery, Florence Eldridge, Helene Millard, Robert Ellliot, Mary Doran, Tyler Brooke, and Zelda Sears as the maid. The watchable “The Divorcee” was popular at the Depression Era box office for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, winning one for Best Actress (Shearer). The non-winners were Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Writing.