A Bill of Divorcement (1932)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

George Cukor

Writers:

Clemence Dane (play)
Howard Estabrook (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

30 September 1932 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A man, Hilary Fairfield returns home after fifteen years in a mental asylum. However, he finds things are not the way they were when he left.

Plot Keywords:

Guilt | Engagement | Father Daughter Relationship | Lawyer | Aunt

Cast

John Barrymore	...	Hilary Fairfield
Billie Burke	...	Meg Fairfield
David Manners	...	Kit Humphreys
Katharine Hepburn	...	Sydney Fairfield
Paul Cavanagh	...	Gray Meredith
Henry Stephenson	...	Doctor Alliot
Gayle Evers	...	Bassett
Elizabeth Patterson	...	Aunt Hester Fairfield

Runtime:

70 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #2546) (12 August 1936 for re-release) | Argentina:Atp

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

The original play opened in London on 14 March 1921.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Toward the end, when Sidney convinces her mother to leave, she reaches for her mother's coat, and someone off-camera hands it to her. The hands of the crew member are clearly visible.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind (1988) (TV)

Soundtrack:

God Bless the Master of This House

A Sound Stage for the Stars

****** A Bill of Divorcement (1932) George Cukor ~ John Barrymore, Billie Burke, Katharine Hepburn

It's Christmas in England. World War I veteran John Barrymore (as Hilary Fairfield) has been committed to an asylum for 15 years, due to insanity brought on by "shell shock". The season has resulted in a blessing for Mr. Barrymore, who is on his way home for the holidays, after recovering his sanity. Meanwhile, wife Billie Burke (as Margaret "Meg" Fairfield) has fallen in love again, received a divorce, and is planning to re-marry. Barrymore's return throws the household into turmoil. Daughter Katharine Hepburn (as Sidney Fairfield), also planning to marry, begins to fear starting her own family, after learning Barrymore's madness is hereditary.

It's admittedly not intended as such, and consequently not exceptional; but, George Cukor's "A Bill of Divorcement" should be seen as a filmed stage play. The story is thought-provoking; it mixes madness, marriage, and war with duty, self-sacrifice, and religion. The characterizations are, today, "outdated" in style, substance, and storyline. Still, they are interesting in context. The three lead performances are significant: Barrymore's theatrical skills are clearly evident; his performance is most enjoyable (the war duty scene is a highlight). Additionally, Ms. Burke begins a welcome "second career" in sound films; and Ms. Hepburn begins a welcome "second career" in films. With less to do, steadfast supporting actress Elizabeth Patterson (as Hester Fairfield) definitely holds her own.