Skylark (1941)

Frustrated by her insensitive, workaholic husband (Ray Milland), a wife (Claudette Colbert) finally loses her temper and leaves. She soon finds herself in the arms of her handsome divorce lawyer (Brian Aherne). But her husband isn't through with her yet. Based on the novel (and later a play) by Samson Raphaelson and directed by Mark Sandrich (TOP HAT). The first half of this comedy is quite good and I was enjoying it so when it went off the rails in the second half, it was a big disappointment. Milland's husband is a selfish male chauvinist but after she divorces him, his character does a complete turnaround and then you know exactly where this is headed. It's the 1940s and the mere idea of a woman divorcing her husband and living happily ever after with a new man goes against the grain. I much preferred Aherne's charming libertine to Milland's conniving spouse. With Binnie Barnes, Walter Abel, Grant Mitchell and Mona Barrie.