This film stars "The Profile" John Barrymore, as Hilary Fairfield, a man mentally damaged during World War I who has spent fifteen years in an asylum. One day he simply walks away from the sanitarium and returns to his family. Although his condition has improved during his stay, he is still somewhat confused and expects things to be much as they were when he left.

Upon arriving home he sees his daughter Sidney, now a young adult, whom he mistakes for his wife, Margaret. Sidney Fairfield is played by a very youthful Katharine Hepburn. When the real Margaret finds out that Hilary has returned, she is understandably disturbed, especially since she never expected to see him leave the asylum. Margaret is further upset because she has divorced him and has plans to remarry. When Hilary is told, he becomes agitated and even threatens violence to Meg and her fiance. Margaret is played by actress Billie Burke, probably best known for her role as "Glenda, the Good Witch" in The Wizard of Oz.

The situation leaves Margaaret (Meg) torn between her feeling of responsibility toward her ex-husband and her love for the new man in her life, Gray Meredith (Paul Cavanagh). Even though she is deeply in love, she cannot bear to hurt Hilary. In a very dramatic scene, Meg declares that she will not marry Gray but instead will dedicate herself to caring for Hilary, though it is obvious that she is very much uneasy and fearful of him.

Meg also tells Sidney for the first time that insanity runs in the Fairchild family, explaining that Hilary's sister had also gone insane. From the moment her father arrived home, Sidney had felt inexplicably drawn to him in a way that went deeper than their relationship of father and daughter. After finding out about the family "curse", she understands why she is drawn to him.

Sidney had also planned to move away and marry her sweetheart, Kit Humphreys (David Manners). They had great plans for a wonderful life and were anxious to have children. However, with the revelation that her father's insanity might be hereditary hanging over her head, she makes a life-changing decision.

A Bill of Divorcement is the touching story of how this family deals with the return of Hilary and how each of them decides to live after Hilary's return.

The film is another triumph for acclaimed director George Cukor, as well as an excellent example of the monumental acting talent of John Barrymore. The dialog is at times too flowery and dated but this is still a must-see for fans of Katharine Hepburn and Barrymore. Hepburn's performance is quite subdued when compared to the more dynamic characters she plays later but it is a treat to see her at the beginning of her career. Billie Burke is also very good in her role as the beautiful Margaret, although she appears to be too young to play the role of Hepburn's mother. Overshadowed by the strong plot and the strong acting of the major characters, the supporting actors are little more than window dressing, though all do an adequate job.

Bit of Trivia: Hepburn received third-billing in this film--after Barrymore and Billie Burke who, at the time, was a much bigger star.



Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS