"The Divorcee" is one of the few films made by actress Florence Eldridge, who plays Helen, that did not also feature her far more famous husband, actor Fredric March.
Prior to this film, Norma Shearer had primarily played very "proper," ladylike roles. She was eager to change her image and do parts that were more sensuous, so she launched a campaign to get the part of Jerry. MGM producers were skeptical - none more so than Irving Thalberg, who was also Shearer's husband. To convince him that she could handle a more "sexy" role, Shearer did a photo shoot with her posing provocatively in lingerie, and after seeing the pictures, Thalberg agreed to cast her. The decision paid off, as Shearer won Best Actress at the Academy Awards that year.
Shooting wrapped in only 22 days and surprisingly for MGM, there were no retakes.
The listing for Robert Z. Leonard as "producer" is actually in lieu of a director's credit. At the time, instead of crediting its directors as such, MGM frequently listed their names as "A blank Production" on the same card as the main title. Leonard's actual function on this film was director, not producer.