Men in White (1934)

Although it starts off in familiar Kildare territory, this forceful Kingsley play soon introduces a powerful complication unknown to the upright medical staff of Blair General Hospital. The plot moves relentlessly forward to a knock-out Third Act that rates as one of the most poignant and moving I've ever seen in the cinema. Oddly, the movie version opened in New York whilst the play was still running in its initial Broadway season. No-one had anticipated it would become such a success. When the movie rights were sold the usual restriction against presenting the film in competition with the stage offering was not imposed. However, this gave New Yorkers a rare opportunity to compare the two versions. Would you believe that most critics felt the stage presentation had it all over the film so far as writing, acting and direction were concerned? The complaints alleged that Kingsley's attack on hospital administrations had been watered down, that Gable's performance was more in keeping with his movie star image than that of a dedicated surgeon and that the vigor of the play had been weakened by an approach that changed the emphasis of individual scenes, heightening some and deflating others. Personally, I found Boleslawski's direction not only smooth and stylish but captivating in the undercurrent symbolism and atmosphere evoked through the magnificent sets and impeccable lighting. Needless to say, the one film actor who did attract universal praise was critics' favorite Jean Hersholt who was thought to be at least the equal of J. Edward Bromberg on the stage. My opinion is the opposite. I thought Hersholt's performance a trifle mannered, whereas Gable came across with far greater authority and insight. One of his most virile roles, in my opinion. I was not over-enamored of Myrna Loy (hampered it's true by unflattering photography and costumes), and I thought the comic relief somewhat tedious, - though I did enjoy Wallace Ford's escape on the stairs when he shouts out, "Good evening, Dr Hochberg!" But the rest of the players, particularly Elizabeth Allan and C. Henry Gordon, hit right home.

The good -- a fine performance by Clark Gable. I wasn't sure Gable would be convincing as a dedicated medical doctor, but his acting here was a pleasant surprise.The bad -- this is not the film's fault, but the print shown on TCM that I watched was quite poor.The ugly -- among all the talk of hard work and dedication, most of the doctors in the film acted like pathetic children.Overall, this was an interesting film (interesting does not equal good). Several of the sets were interesting in that they made the hospital look like the jewel of modernity, although patient rooms were "bare". Another plus here is the performance of Jean Hersholt ("grandfather" in "Heidi") as the wise old doctor and mentor to Gable.However, this film would make you wonder if anyone lived through a hospital visit back in the 1930s! In terms of acting, the biggest surprise...and for the negative...was that of Otto Kruger. I liked Kruger very much in later films, but here he was TERRIBLE! The female lead here was Myrna Loy, and she does just fine...nothing special...just good...although like another film I watched her in a few days ago, here she is not a very likable person.Should you watch this film. Yes, if you are a fan of Gables. Or if you are interested one perspective on medicine in the 1930s. Otherwise, I'd pass it by.Otto Kruger as Dr. Levine

This was an interesting Clark Gable film, which showed off the actor's more vulnerable side, especially in the scenes with sick children.The hospital itself was rather ultra modern. I got a kick out of the art deco staircase in this rather glamorous hospital.As for the actual plot, I, too, was a bit confused by the nurse's supposed illness. I thought maybe she had poisoned herself since Dr. Ferguson was set to marry Myrna Loy's character. True, the nurse does sit on Gable's bed (when he is not there), but the implication that they were intimate together wasn't made clear. I had to look it up in a book of films on Gable to get the whole picture made clear. It presents little information to the viewer. I knew she did something to herself, but a botched abortion wasn't clearly shown.It was an enjoyable look at a time when doctors were really thought of as gods.

Two things are surprising about this film: Clark Gable could really act and Richard Boleslawski knew what to do with a camera. There's a muted fantasy aspect about this film, and there are cinematic statements, made through symbols, that remind one of "Citizen Kane". "Men in White" is a filmed play, done so convincingly that even a cynical viewer can be persuaded to judge the medical profession as one of honor. Richard Boleslawski has been greatly overlooked as a stylist, and Gable as a real actor, before he became crusted over. There's a scene, where he rips a hypodermic needle from the hands of an incompetent doctor, that really works well.