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Norma Shearer

Norma Shearer

Actor · Died June 12, 1983, aged 80 · Montreal, Quebec, Canada

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Edith Norma Shearer (August 10, 1902 – June 12, 1983) was a Canadian-American actress. Shearer was one of the most popular actresses in North America from the mid-1920s through the 1930s. Her early films cast her as the girl next door, but for most of the Pre-Code film era, beginning with the 1930 film The Divorcee, for which she won an Oscar for Best Actress, she played sexually liberated women in sophisticated contemporary comedies. Later she appeared in historical and period films. Unlike many of her MGM contemporaries, Shearer's fame declined steeply after retirement. By the time of her death in 1983, she was largely remembered at best for her "noble" roles in The Women, Marie Antoinette, and Romeo and Juliet. Shearer's legacy began to be re-evaluated in the 1990s with the publication of two biographies and the TCM (Turner Classic Movies) and VHS release of her films, many of them unseen since the implementation of the Production Code some sixty years before. Focus shifted to her pre-Code "divorcee" persona, and Shearer was rediscovered as "the exemplar of sophisticated [1930's] woman-hood... exploring love and sex with an honesty that would be considered frank by modern standards". Simultaneously, Shearer's ten-year collaboration with portrait photographer George Hurrell and her lasting contribution to fashion through the designs of Adrian were also recognized. Shearer is widely celebrated by some as one of cinema's feminist pioneers: "the first American film actress to make it chic and acceptable to be single and not a virgin on screen". In March 2008, two of her most famous pre-code films, The Divorcee and A Free Soul, were released on DVD. Description above from the Wikipedia article Norma Shearer, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 10, 1902
Died
June 12, 1983 (aged 80)
From
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Works as
Actor
Titles
18 on MovieCove · 74 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Up 6% in 30 days

What are Norma Shearer's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 80th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
42%
Self
18%
Morality
18%
Power
12%
Survival
6%
Society
5%
Romantic love9 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth6 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage3 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty2 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 7 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 10 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 6 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 3

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 7 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 8 · Affecting 5 · Heavy 3

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

12 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 9 of 12 analyzed roles.

Hero
9 of 12
Shapeshifter
2 of 12
Ally
1 of 12
Show the 12 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Melancholic
6
Romantic
6
Bittersweet
7
Warm
5
Other
10

How their films linger

Bittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Norma Shearer's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 4 of their 18 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (3).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Norma Shearer's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

74 credits, 18 with a MovieCove page; 27 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • 1939: Secrets of Hollywood's Golden Year (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood(2008)

    as Various Roles (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • That's Entertainment! III(1994)

    as (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • That's Entertainment!(1974)

    as (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • MGM Parade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Twenty Years After (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as (archive footage)

  • Her Cardboard Lover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Consuelo Croyden

  • We Were Dancing(1942)

    as Victoria Anastasia Wilomirska

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Escape (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Countess Ruby von Treck

  • The Women(1939)

    as Mary Haines

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 8 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Norma Shearer

  • Idiot's Delight(1939)

    as Irene Fellara

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Marie Antoinette(1938)

    as Marie Antoinette

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Romeo and Juliet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Juliet

  • Master Will Shakespeare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Juliet (uncredited)

  • The Barretts of Wimpole Street(1934)

    as Elizabeth Barrett

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Riptide(1934)

    as Lady Mary Rexford

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Film Parade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as (archive footage) (uncredited)

  • Strange Interlude(1932)

    as Nina Leeds

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Smilin' Through(1932)

    as Kathleen / Moonyeen

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Movie Album (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    as (archive footage)

  • Private Lives(1931)

    as Amanda Prynne

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • A Free Soul(1931)

    as Jan Ashe

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Strangers May Kiss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Lisbeth Corbin

  • The Stolen Jools (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as Owner of Stolen Jewels

  • Let Us Be Gay(1930)

    as Kitty Brown

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Divorcee(1930)

    as Jerry

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Their Own Desire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Lucia 'Lally' Marlett

  • The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Fay Cheyney

  • The Trial of Mary Dugan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Mary Elizabeth Dugan

  • A Man's Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Norman Shearer (uncredited)

  • A Lady of Chance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Dolly Morgan

  • The Actress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Rose Trelawny

  • The Latest from Paris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Ann Dolan

  • The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Kathi

  • After Midnight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Mary Miller

  • The Demi-Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1927)

    as Criquette

  • Upstage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Dolly Haven

  • The Waning Sex (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Nina Duane

  • The Devil's Circus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Mary

  • His Secretary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Ruth Lawrence

  • The Tower of Lies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Glory/Goldie

  • Pretty Ladies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Frances White

  • A Slave of Fashion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Katherine Emerson

  • The End of the World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Mary Ellen Hope

  • The End of the World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Mary Ellen Hope

  • Waking Up the Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Mary Ellen Hope

  • Lady of the Night(1925)

    as Molly Helmer / Florence Banning

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Excuse Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Marjorie Newton

  • He Who Gets Slapped(1924)

    as Consuelo

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Snob (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Nancy Claxton

  • Married Flirts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Norma Shearer (uncredited)

  • Broken Barriers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Grace Durland

  • Empty Hands (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Claire Endicott

  • Broadway After Dark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Rose Dulane

  • Blue Water (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Lillian Denton

  • The Wolf Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Elizabeth Gordon

  • The Trail of the Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Jerry Vardon

  • Lucretia Lombard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Mimi Winship

  • The Wanters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Marjorie

  • Pleasure Mad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Elinor Benton

  • The Devil's Partner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Jeanne

  • Man and Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Dora Perkins

  • A Clouded Name (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Marjorie Dare

  • Channing of the Northwest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as Jess Driscoll

  • The Taming of the Shrewd (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as Rose Del Mar

  • The Bootleggers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as Helen Barnes

  • The Man Who Paid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as Jeanne Thornton

  • The Restless Sex (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as Reveler at Artists Ball (uncredited)

  • The Stealers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as Julie Martin

  • Torchy's Millions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as (uncredited)

  • Way Down East(1920)

    as Barn Dancer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Flapper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as Schoolgirl (uncredited)

  • The Star Boarder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    as Big V Beauty Squad Member (uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 74 titles from 1919 to 2023.

Biggest box office

The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (1929)

$5.3M worldwide

Highest rated

He Who Gets Slapped (1924)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

Smilin' Through (1932)

Film career

Top draw in 5 MovieCove titles.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting74 of 74: 74 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score71st

By decade

1910s1 · acting1920s46 · acting1930s18 · acting1940s4 · acting1950s1 · acting1970s1 · acting1990s1 · acting2000s1 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 1st · top billed in 70% of 10 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Norma Shearer's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 71st percentile, the median of all 18; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 64th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

64thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

53rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 18 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th3

Shape of the crowd

10 of their 18 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Crowd Pleaser10
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed2

Most divisive · actor

Lady of the Night (1925)

72nd percentile spread · 21% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

He Who Gets Slapped (1924)

Midcredits 96th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 74/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 46. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Norma Shearer work with?

People who share at least 2 of Norma Shearer's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Irving Thalberg shares the most, 11.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers