Divorce American Style (1967)

After 17 years, things have got too predictable and stale. They argue, they visit a marriage counselor, Richard (drunk) visits a prostitute. They split up. After meeting other people, they ... See full summary »

Director:

Bud Yorkin

Writers:

Robert Kaufman (story), Norman Lear (screenplay)

Stars:

Dick Van Dyke, Debbie Reynolds, Jason Robards

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dick Van Dyke	...	Richard Harmon
Debbie Reynolds	...	Barbara Harmon
Jason Robards	...	Nelson Downes
Jean Simmons	...	Nancy Downes
Van Johnson	...	Al Yearling
Joe Flynn	...	Lionel Blandsforth
Shelley Berman	...	David Grieff
Martin Gabel	...	Dr. Zenwinn
Lee Grant	...	Dede Murphy
Pat Collins	...	Pat Collins
Tom Bosley	...	Farley
Emmaline Henry	...	Fern Blandsforth
Dick Gautier	...	Larry Strickland
Tim Matheson	...	Mark Harmon (as Tim Matthieson)
Gary Goetzman	...	Jonathan Harmon

Storyline

After 17 years, things have got too predictable and stale. They argue, they visit a marriage counselor, Richard (drunk) visits a prostitute. They split up. After meeting other people, they are re-united at a night club where they realize that their marriage was better than their divorce.

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Plot Keywords:

safe deposit box | marriage | divorce | alimony | prostitute | 

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Taglines:

This Love Story Has Three Sides... His Side... Her Side... And the Inside!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Early in the movie they mention that they're paying their maid $250/month and that their house cost $49,000. Inflation adjust equivalents in 2010 are $1614.14/month for the maid and $316,372.14 for the house.

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Goofs

When Richard goes to Nancy's house the night after he finds out that Barbara is dating Al, the angle of Richard's shadow on Nancy's door changes between the long shots and the close-up shot.

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Quotes

Nelson Downes: I can imagine how anxious you must be to find the right woman. Your present wife a blonde maybe?
Richard Harmon: Ya, ya.
Nelson Downes: Well sir, a nice cool brunette would be just what the doctor ordered.

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Crazy Credits

SPOILER: Opening credits (and the musical score) begin when a conductor - having just walked across a field and set up a music stand - raises his baton, gives a downbeat, and "cues" the sounds of husbands and wives arguing from the houses in the neighborhood below. At the end of the picture, the conductor again appears in the field above the neighborhood and begins conducting the final musical score through the closing credits (and drowning out the sound of arguing).

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Connections

Referenced in I Dream of Jeannie: Divorce, Genie Style (1968)

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Soundtracks

Let's Fall in Love
Music by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by Ted Koehler
Sung partially by Pat Collins

User Reviews

A Nearly Forgotten Gem from the 60's...

DIVORCE American STYLE was an offbeat and surprisingly adult (for 1967) that starred Dick Van Dyke and Debbie Reynolds as Richard and Barbara Harmon, a wealthy California couple who divorce after 17 years of marriage and the adjustments both try to make being single once more. Smartly directed by Bud Yorkin and co-written by future TV icon Norman Lear, this biting satire died at the box office at the time of release, but is really a well-made and quite revealing comedy about the ins and outs of marriage, divorce, and all the little banalities that these subjects bring about. Yorkin directs with a master hand here...I love the scene right after Richard and Barbara's dinner party where they undress for bed in total silence, getting in each other's way but not saying a word to each other, just "Bury you in six feet under" looks. Or when Richard and his best friend (Joe Flynn)and Barbara and her best friend (Emmaline Henry) arrive at the bank at the same time to clean out their bank accounts and safety deposit box...another scene done with no dialogue but so smartly staged, dialogue is not needed. The supporting cast is first rate...Jason Robards is surprisingly funny as Nelson Downs, a divorce victim who tries to set Richard up with his ex (the lovely Jean Simmons) so that he doesn't have to pay alimony anymore. Lee Grant, Tom Bosley, Van Johnson, Eileen Brennan, Shelley Berman, and Dick Gautier also contribute funny bits. A very young Tim Matheson also appears as Richard and Barbara's eldest son. This delicious and slightly twisted comic confection from the mind of Norman Lear is a delight from beginning to end and if you've never seen it, it's worth a look.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 June 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

Divorce American Style

Filming Locations:

Topanga Plaza Mall - 6602 Topanga Plaza, Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$12,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

National General Production Inc., Tandem Enterprises Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1