A Bill of Divorcement

1932
Approved
1h 10m

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Katharine Hepburn and John Barrymore in A Bill of Divorcement (1932)

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.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.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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.5/10

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win

Photos78

+ 71

Top cast14

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John Barrymore

Hilary Fairfield

Katharine Hepburn

Sidney

Billie Burke

Margaret

David Manners

Elizabeth Patterson

Hester

Paul Cavanagh

Gray

Henry Stephenson

Dr. Alliot

Gayle Evers

Bassett

Bramwell Fletcher

Gareth
(uncredited)

Dick French

Party Guest
(uncredited)

Julie Haydon

Party Guest
(uncredited)

Paul Irving

Dennis O'Keefe

Party Guest
(uncredited)

Mildred Shay

Party Guest
(uncredited)

Director
- George Cukor
Writers
All cast & crew
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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
David O. Selznick and George Cukor disagreed about casting Katharine Hepburn. Cukor had seen Hepburn's screen test and was impressed by the 24-year-old, but Selznick did not like the way she looked and was afraid she would not be well received by audiences. Cukor cast her anyway (beginning what would be a lifelong professional and personal relationship between the two)

Goofs
'Katharine Hepburn' is misspelled in the credits as 'Katherine Hepburn'.

Quotes
Hilary Fairfield: Do you know what the dead do in Heaven? They sit on their golden chairs and sicken for home.

Crazy credits
Sydney Fairfield is the name of Katharine Hepburn's character in the film, but her name is spelled Sidney in the credits.

Connections
Featured in David O. Selznick: 'Your New Producer' (1935)

Soundtracks
Silent Night, Holy Night (1818)
(uncredited)
Music by Franz Xaver Gruber
Lyrics by Joseph Mohr
English lyrics anonymous
Sung by carollers on Christmas Eve

User reviews43

Review

Featured review

6/10

A Sound Stage for the Stars

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.

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