The Divorce of Lady X (1938)

The Divorce of Lady X is the kind of sophisticated old-Hollywood romance that feels like it’s been poured into a champagne flute: fizzy, elegant, and just a little wicked in its misunderstandings. Set in foggy London and fueled by a delicious case of mistaken identity, it lets Laurence Olivier play the coolly confident barrister whose composure is steadily undone by Merle Oberon’s radiant, teasing charm, while the dialogue keeps snapping along with bright intelligence. What really seals the pleasure is the film’s glossy color design and costumes, which give the whole farce a storybook glamour without ever smothering the comedy. If you’re not in the mood for courtship games and drawing-room deception, it may feel airy by modern standards—but if you want a smart, romantic lark with star power and style to spare, it’s an easy evening to fall for.

The Divorce of Lady X is aiming for breezy, upper-crust screwball: fogbound London, mistaken identity, and romantic sparring between two very attractive people who clearly know how to sell a line. The problem is the plot is feather-light and a bit repetitive, so if you need your comedies to build real momentum or deliver big laughs, this can feel more like a charming trifle than a satisfying meal. It’s also more glossy than genuinely sharp, with the cast (especially Olivier and Oberon) doing a lot of the heavy lifting while the material coasts. Worth a look if you want a polished, old-school romance with minimal “content” concerns; skip it if you’re hunting for substance or truly knockout comedy.