The Girl in White

Director: John Sturges John Sturges

Overview

June Allyson portrays real-life doctor Emily Dunning in this respectful biopic. Emily chooses a medical career despite turn-of-the-century prejudice against female physicians. The only job open to her is in a slum hospital in the Bowery, where she performs with courage and perseverance, exposing herself to the many deadly diseases which afflicted the poor in those pre-Penicillin days. Dr. Dunning's work brings her to the attention of the public, ultimately leading to an appointment on the staff at Bellevue Hospital--the first woman to hold such a job. Based on Emily Dunning's autobiography, This drama is slightly weakened by the fluctuating performance of June Allyson, though she wins over the audience in the very first scene by grimly slapping the face of a flirtatious intern.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/08/2014
UPC:	0888574007010
Original Release:	1952
Source:	Warner Archives
Language:	English
Time:	1:33:00
Sales rank:	2,298

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

June Allyson	Dr. Emily Dunning
Arthur Kennedy	Dr. Ben Barringer
Gary Merrill	Dr. Seth Pawling
Jesse White	Alec, Ambulance Driver
Mildred Dunnock	Dr. Marie Yeomans
Marilyn Erskine	Nurse Jane Doe
Herbert Anderson	Dr. Barclay
Gar Moore	Dr. Graham
Don Keefer	Dr. Williams
Ann Tyrrell	Nurse Bigley
James Arness	Matt
Curtis Cooksey	Commissioner Hawley
Carol Brannan	Nurse Wells
Ann Morrison	Nurse Schiff
Jo Gilbert	Nurse Bleeker
Erwin Kalser	Dr. Schneider
Kathryn Card	Mrs. Lindsay
Jonathan Cott	Dr. Ellerton
Joan Valerie	Nurse Hanson
Coleman Francis	Orderly
A. Cameron Grant	Elevator Boy
David Fresco	Patient
David Raksin	Composer

Technical Credits

Allen Vincent

Irma Von Cube

Philip Stevenson

Armand Deutsch	Producer
John Sturges	Director
Allen Vincent	Screenwriter
Irma Von Cube	Screenwriter
Philip Stevenson	Screenwriter
Warren Newcombe	Special Effects
A. Gillespie	Special Effects
Douglas Shearer	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

The Girl in White concerns itself with such a potentially interesting story -- the real-life struggles of a female doctor to break into the male-dominated (and hostile) medical world -- that it's surprising it is not better known and has not been remade. Part of the reason for its obscurity is that it's simply not as good a film as the subject demands. It's good, mind you -- but it could (and should) have been a much better film. As is too often the case, the powers-that-be in Hollywood decided that the original source material needed to be made more conventional. The result is a story that works, but that is lacking in the originality and imagination that would have moved Girl to the next level. It's also true that June Allyson, in the crucial leading role, is not ideal casting. Allyson tries hard and her performance has many good moments; but the effort always shows. Her work is never less than professional and always does what is required, but it's a bit too workmanlike when what is needed is something inspirational. She doesn't galvanize the film, and without the force behind it, Girl doesn't soar the way it should. The supporting cast is quite good, with Arthur Kennedy turning in a very admirable performance and Mildred Dunnock turning in a superlative one. John Sturges' direction is always solid, and often demonstrates flair. The Girl in White is an engrossing story and well worth watching, even if one wishes it had risen to slightly greater heights.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler