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I Want a Divorce

  • 1940
  • Approved
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
91
YOUR RATING
Joan Blondell and Dick Powell in I Want a Divorce (1940)
ComedyDrama

Comedy about newlyweds wondering if their marriage was a mistake.Comedy about newlyweds wondering if their marriage was a mistake.Comedy about newlyweds wondering if their marriage was a mistake.

  • Director
    • Ralph Murphy
  • Writers
    • Frank Butler
    • Adela Rogers St. Johns
  • Stars
    • Joan Blondell
    • Dick Powell
    • Gloria Dickson
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    5.9/10
    91
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ralph Murphy
    • Writers
      • Frank Butler
      • Adela Rogers St. Johns
    • Stars
      • Joan Blondell
      • Dick Powell
      • Gloria Dickson
    • 6User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos23

    John Kelly, Conrad Nagel, Dick Powell, and Paul Stanton in I Want a Divorce (1940)
    Gloria Dickson, Adele Horner, Dick Powell, and Archie Twitchell in I Want a Divorce (1940)
    Gloria Dickson in I Want a Divorce (1940)
    Joan Blondell and Gloria Dickson in I Want a Divorce (1940)
    Joan Blondell and Dick Powell in I Want a Divorce (1940)
    Joan Blondell, Gloria Dickson, and Dick Powell in I Want a Divorce (1940)
    Joan Blondell and Dick Powell in I Want a Divorce (1940)
    Joan Blondell and Dick Powell in I Want a Divorce (1940)
    Joan Blondell and Dick Powell in I Want a Divorce (1940)
    Joan Blondell and Dick Powell in I Want a Divorce (1940)
    Joan Blondell and Dick Powell in I Want a Divorce (1940)
    Joan Blondell and Dick Powell in I Want a Divorce (1940)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Joan Blondell
    Joan Blondell
    • Geraldine 'Jerry' Brokaw
    Dick Powell
    Dick Powell
    • Alan MacNally
    Gloria Dickson
    Gloria Dickson
    • Wanda Holland
    Frank Fay
    Frank Fay
    • Jefferson Anthony Gilman (Jeff)
    Jessie Ralph
    Jessie Ralph
    • Grandma Brokaw
    Harry Davenport
    Harry Davenport
    • Grandpa Brokaw
    Conrad Nagel
    Conrad Nagel
    • David Holland, Sr.
    Dorothy Burgess
    Dorothy Burgess
    • 'Peppy' Gilman
    Sidney Blackmer
    Sidney Blackmer
    • Erskine Brandon
    Mickey Kuhn
    Mickey Kuhn
    • David Holland, Jr.
    Louise Beavers
    Louise Beavers
    • Celestine
    Roscoe Ates
    Roscoe Ates
    • Process Server
    • (uncredited)
    Frank Austin
    Frank Austin
    • Taxi Driver
    • (uncredited)
    Edna Bennett
    • Ash Blonde
    • (uncredited)
    Don Brodie
    Don Brodie
    • Lawyer
    • (uncredited)
    Ruth Cherrington
    Ruth Cherrington
    • Dowager
    • (uncredited)
    Richard Clarke
    Richard Clarke
    • Minor Role
    • (uncredited)
    Earle S. Dewey
    • Minor Role
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Ralph Murphy
    • Writers
      • Frank Butler
      • Adela Rogers St. Johns
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Gloria Dickson and director Ralph Murphy were married shortly after filming was complete.

    User reviews6

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    5/10
    Do as we say, not as we do!
    Back when "I Want a Divorce" was made, the leads, Joan Blondell and Dick Powell, were married. What makes this ironic is that just a few years later, the pair divorced...and this movie has such a strong anti-divorce theme.

    The film begins with Geraldine (Blondell) being called into court to testify at her sister's divorce trial. The sister insists on divorce, though she never indicated why she didn't want to stay married and her husband wanted her to remain his wife. Through this case, Geraldine meets Alan (Powell) and they eventually fall in love and marry. They are happy but through the course of their marriage, Alan loses sight of this...and begins working too much as, you guessed it, a divorce lawyer. Will this couple survive or are they destined to be just like Alan's clients?

    The film is very strange to watch today...not so much for its anti-divorce theme but because of its PRO-domestic violence bent. Yep, several times, folks make light of this and seem to think that a man needs to smack his wife around now and again...just to let her know who's boss! Undoubtedly, this will ruffle a few feathers in viewers. IF you can look past this, the film is modestly enjoyable but not much more.
    helpful•2
    1
    • planktonrules
    • Apr 14, 2018

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • September 20, 1940 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Tragedy of Divorce
    • Filming locations
      • Monrovia, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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