Children of Divorce

About the movie

Before the first World War, two young girls, Jean and Kitty, befriend each other in a convent school near Paris for children of divorced parents. A boy, Ted, also a child of divorce, slips over the convent wall and meets them. Jean impresses him and he promises to marry her. Flash forward to 1920s America. Kitty is in love with Prince Ludovico (Vico) who is visiting with his uncle the Duke. Kitty's mother has determined that she marry someone wealthy, since she has a small income. The Duke has determined likewise for Vico. Jean, now a wealthy young woman, arrives from Europe. Ted arrives at the party and begins a serious courtship of Jean. He is independently wealthy, with a degree in engineering. Jean encourages him to work, and he sets up an office. One day Kitty and a bunch of friends show up there, intent on partying. They persuade Ted to join them. He wakes up the next morning, hungover, and finds that Kitty has snickered him into marriage. He just then receives a note from Jean that she is ready to marry him. He goes to her to explain his situation. Kitty shows up and Jean promises to send him back to her. She persuades him to go through with the marriage. Three years go by. Jean has been traveling and arrives in Paris. Kitty and Ted are there also, with their young daughter. Prince Vico and the Duke are there as well. Vico proposes to Jean; she tells him she plans never to marry. At a party the following night, Kitty tells Vico she is willing to let Ted divorce her, or even to become his mistress. Vico refuses on religious and moral grounds. Kitty sees her daughter with Jean and realizes how wrong their situation is. Soon she reads in the newspaper that Jean and Vico are planning to wed that afternoon. She composes a farewell letter to Jean and has a servant deliver it. The letter is delivered to Jean and she immediately leaves to see Kitty. Ted has pleaded with the doctor to save Kitty, but he offers no hope. The Duke shows the letter to Vico, who also runs to Ted and Kitty's apartment. Jean is there for Kitty's last moments. Vico arrives as the child comes in and is comforted by Jean.