The Divorcee

The Divorcee
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Robert Z. Leonard
Produced by	Robert Z. Leonard
Written by	Nick Grinde Zelda Sears John Meehan
Based on	Ex-Wife by Ursula Parrott
Starring	Norma Shearer Chester Morris
Music by	Jack Yellen Milton Ager
Cinematography	Norbert Brodine
Edited by	Hugh Wynn
Distributed by	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date	April 30, 1930 (1930-04-30) (United States)
Running time	84 mins.
Country	United States
Language	English

The Divorcee is a 1930 American pre-Code 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.

Ted (Chester Morris), Jerry (Norma Shearer), Paul (Conrad Nagel), and Dorothy (Helen Johnson) are part of the New York in-crowd. Jerry's decision to marry Ted crushes Paul. He gets drunk and is involved in an accident that leaves Dorothy's face disfigured. Out of pity, Paul marries Dorothy. Ted and Jerry have been married three years when she discovers he had a brief affair with another woman — and when she confronts him on their third anniversary, he tells her it did not "mean a thing." Upset, and with Ted out on a business trip, Jerry spends the night with his best friend, Don. Upon Ted's return, she tells him she "balanced [their] accounts," withholding Don's name. Ted is hypocritically outraged and they argue, ending with Ted leaving her and the couple filing for a divorce. While Jerry turns to partying to forget her sorrows, Ted becomes an alcoholic. Paul and Jerry run into each other and she discovers he still loves her and is willing to leave Dorothy to be with her. Only after she meets Dorothy is Jerry forced to evaluate her decision.

Norma Shearer won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Also starring in the film are Robert Montgomery, Conrad Nagel, and Florence Eldridge.