Joan Bennett in the divorce courts. Joan Bennett, the film actress, was awarded a divorce from Gene Markey, a screenwriter, in Los Angeles, on grounds of mental cruelty. Miss Bennett was given custody of their two-year-old daughter, Melinda, but when the child attained her 12th birthday. Her father may have custody one month a year. Photo shows, Joan Bennett on the witness stand in the Los Angeles divorce court. 12 June 1937