1932

71m

Life Begins

Summary

A day in the maternity ward from the lens of accepted morals and medical attitudes of 1932. The ward includes women from all walks of life and situations.

Cast

Loretta Young

Grace Sutton

Eric Linden

Jed Sutton

Aline MacMahon

Miss Bowers

Glenda Farrell

Florette

Clara Blandick

Mrs. West

Preston Foster

Dr. Brett

Frank McHugh

Ringer Banks

Walter Walker

Dr. Tubby

Hale Hamilton

Dr. Cramm

Vivienne Osborne

Mrs. McGilvery

Dorothy Peterson

A Patient

A.S. Byron

First Druggist (uncredited)

Marjorie Campbell

Baby (uncredited)

Frank Darien

Harry (uncredited)

Donald Douglas

Medical Student (uncredited)

Helena Phillips Evans

Mrs. Riggs, the Prison Matron (uncredited)

Paul Fix

Anxious Expectant Father (uncredited)

Esther Howard

Mrs. Tubby’s Friend (uncredited)

Reginald Mason

Dr. Lee (uncredited)

Herbert Mundin

Mr. MacGilvairy (uncredited)

Elizabeth Patterson

Mrs. Tubby (uncredited)

Mary Philips

Miss Pinty (uncredited)

Terrance Ray

Medical Student (uncredited)

Gilbert Roland

Tony, Rita's Husband (uncredited)

Gloria Shea

Gladys Banks (uncredited)

Ruthelma Stevens

Rose Laughton (uncredited)

Dorothy Tree

Rita (uncredited)

Bobs Watson

Edgar, Harry’s Son (uncredited)

Jack Wise

Medical Student (uncredited)

Crew

Director

James Flood

Screenplay

Earl Baldwin

Theatre Play

Mary M. Axelson

This film provides a window into life of 1932 as viewed from a higher-risk maternity ward. These were the days when surgery was much more dangerous, where ether ruled and the risk of infection was high (penicillin wasn't in widespread use for another 10 years). The expectant mothers in the ward come from all walks of the working-class life: a woman about to deliver her fifth child, an Italian, a proud "modern woman" (single), a nightclub singer and a convicted murderer.

A film worth watching.