A Bill of Divorcement
Directed by George Cukor
Written by Howard Estabrook and Harry Wagstaff Gribble from a play by Clemence Dane
1932/US
RKO Radio Pictures
IMDb page
First viewing/Amazon Prime rental
Sydney Fairfield: It’s in our blood, isn’t it?
Katharine Hepburn was a little bit too mannered in her film debut. But boy did she light up a screen! Fourth-billed after David Manners, she was definitely a shimmering star in the cinema firmament from her first line of dialogue.
Billy Burke was divorced long ago from institutionalized shell-shocked lunatic John Barrymore. It is the eve of her wedding day to the man she loves. Daughter Katharine Hepburn is happily engaged to David Manners.
Of course, Barrymore escapes from the asylum that same day expecting to find his wife waiting. Much drama ensues.
I enjoyed this mostly for the performances of Hepburn and Burke. Barrymore is fascinating to watch but takes his character right over the top.
