Norma Shearer always had a lot of power at M-G-M as a result of both her audience draw and marriage to M-G-M producer Irving Thalberg. She personally selected this story to star in, after having read more than 200 different scripts and books. She also officially requested that Robert Montgomery play the lead actor role.
Based on a book of the same name by Ursula Parrott, who also wrote the book on which "The Divorcee" was based.
In many of Robert Montgomery's 1930s roles, he is seen exclusively in suits and tuxedos.
Norma Shearer had just had a child and was extremely self-conscious about her postpartum appearance. Cinematographer William Daniels remembered, "She worried about her figure and her complexion, and we dickered a lot about the lighting. I had to assure her several times that her figure was as svelte and shapely before her pregnancy." "I don't want the fans to see any difference," she said nervously, "I did my exercises, watched my diet, and I deserve to look good in this. I've earned the right!"
Neil Hamilton, "Alan," began his career as the Arrow (Shirt) Collar Man in print ads for the shirts.