Helen Bauer was a woman way ahead of the times. She's having an affair with Don Peterson, an advertising executive. When we first meet them, they are seen at a party at Helen's apartment. Helen chases everybody out because she has to go to bed, but later on, her door is opened by Don Peterson who clearly intends to stay the night. What makes matters worse is the unexpected arrival of Helen's parents the following morning. Don is seen in silhouette adjusting his tie in Helen's bedroom, sending Mr. Bauer into shock.

Don proposed to Helen, who accepted reluctantly. She hates to give up her independence, but finally says yes to Don. As a couple Helen and Don are struggling making his business work. The marriage is not exactly a bed of roses for Helen and Don. When she proposes that each live apart, he reluctantly approves. The "open marriage" situation comes to a head as Helen spies Don with another woman and it becomes clear the experiment, instead of uniting them, keeps them apart.

This 1933 Warner Bros. picture is daring in treating the idea of an open marriage way before it became fashionable. "Ex-Lady" was an exception in the films Bette Davis was made to appear before her confrontation with the studio chief Jack Warner. Bette Davis was taking whatever roles came her way in unforgettable films. "Ex-Lady" is a bit different in the way it dealt with the subject, something that was to change soon after.

Bette Davis appears as a blonde. Her Helen Bauer has brilliant moments in the film, although the screen play is not the best asset in this film. Gene Raymond, a bland leading man, makes one of his best appearances; perhaps playing opposite Ms. Davis inspired him to excel. Frank McHugh, one of the best character actors of the era, is seen as the couple's rich friend. Monroe Owsley has a small part as Nick, Helen's admirer.

The film packs a lot in its 67 minutes running time, helped no doubt, by Robert Florey's direction.

'Ex-Lady's' reviews here are mixed, some liking/loving it and others not caring for it. Both sides understandable. My main reasons for seeing it were for Bette Davis (whoo always was a great actress, her performance in 'All About Eve' in particular is a favourite),in an early role when her career was more variable, and for the unconventional and ahead of the time subject matter (back when films got away with more before the code was enforced) which would be an interest point really for any film buff.

By all means 'Ex-Lady' is not one of Davis' best films, nowhere near close, she herself did not think so. To me though, it is still a very interesting film (one of her more interesting early films) and a very enjoyable one that does deserve to be better known, if mainly for curiosity and historical value. Both as a Davis completest, or at least trying to see as many of her films as possible, and to see how films were pre-code and were able to take more risks.

Did think that it was a bit stagy in spots and that the drama could have opened up more.

Also Kay Strozzi overdoes it dreadfully, not funny or endearing at all and quite annoying. The ending felt a bit on the pat side.

However, Davis, although she would give much better performances later when the quality of her films became more consistent in a good way, shows a deft comic touch and totally at ease with her material. Gene Raymond shares a witty but also surprisingly tender at times chemistry with her and although his presence isn't quite as arresting he is certainly not as bland as he could be. Frank McHugh brings a lot of energy to his role as does a wonderfully snide Monrow Owsley. The direction is hardly indifferent and makes great use of Davis.

The dialogue is full of snap and sizzle, witty but also sophisticated, while the story makes the most of the unconventional subject with a fair share of daring moments, in a way one is surprised that such an early film got away with what it contains. The production values are tasteful and elegant, though the photography could have been a little more refined in places, standing out especially are Davis' clothes which are things of beauty.

Overall, not great but enjoyable fun and wonderfully ahead of its time. 7/10

While most of the reviews are pretty positive for this film, I wasn't so impressed by it and it left me awfully confused. That's because this movie seemed to strongly support open marriage and living together--real taboos for the 1930s and its obvious this was made just as the Hays Code was about to be enforced. Such a film NEVER could have been made just a few years later.

I was confused also because frankly I didn't find the relationship between Bette Davis and Franchot Tone very romantic. Yes, I am a very traditional person and I just didn't buy their contention that marriage was a sham. But, this DOES make the film a bit of a curiosity.

Overall, this film isn't one of Davis' best. She made some marvelous films in the 1930s and a lot of really mediocre and lousy ones as well--so variable in quality that Ms. Davis tried to break her contract with Warner Brothers. This would seem to be such a mediocre film.