That Mothers Might Live (1938)

That Mothers Might Live (1938)

1938-04-30 United States of America 10 Min. PG-13
5.5 6 votes

Overview

Synopsis by theflixtor - That Mothers Might Live is a 1938 American short drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann. The short is a brief account of Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis and his discovery of the need for cleanliness in 19th-century maternity wards, thereby significantly decreasing maternal mortality, and of his struggle to gain acceptance of his idea. Although Semmelweis ultimately failed in his lifetime, later scientific luminaries advanced his work in spirit like microbiologist Louis Pasteur, who provided a scientific theoretical explanation of Semmelweis' observations by helping develop the germ theory of disease and the British surgeon, Dr. Joseph Lister who revolutionized medicine putting Pasteur's research to practical use. In 1939, at the 11th Academy Awards, the film won an Oscar for Best Short Subject (One-Reel).

Cast

John Nesbitt is Narrator (voice)
Narrator (voice)
Shepperd Strudwick is Dr. Semmelweis
Dr. Semmelweis
Rudolph Anders is Doctor (uncredited)
Doctor (uncredited)
King Baggot is Passerby (uncredited)
Passerby (uncredited)
William Bailey is Passerby (uncredited)
Passerby (uncredited)
Barbara Bedford is Nun Reading Book (uncredited)
Nun Reading Book (uncredited)
Ralph Brooks is Medical Student at Lecture (uncredited)
Medical Student at Lecture (uncredited)
Mary Howard is Young Stricken Mother (uncredited)
Young Stricken Mother (uncredited)
Leonard Penn is Semmelweis' Assistant (uncredited)
Semmelweis' Assistant (uncredited)
Beatrice Roberts is Passerby (uncredited)
Passerby (uncredited)
Edward Van Sloan is Hospital Chief of Staff (uncredited)
Hospital Chief of Staff (uncredited)
E. Alyn Warren is Professor (uncredited)
Professor (uncredited)