The 1930s
The 1930s
Women
doctors in films of the 1930's are characters in what were then called
"women's pictures". These are romances, geared to a female viewing
audience. In most cases, the woman's profession is secondary to the plot
of the movie. The exceptions are The Right to Romance and Woman Doctor, in which the woman's career is of primary importance to the plot.
Mary Stevens, M.D. (1933)
Character of Interest: Mary Stevens (played by Kay Francis), Pediatrician
Dr. Mary Stevens is a successful pediatrician. The key plot points are her romance with a married man and the birth of an illegitimate child. Perhaps the most interesting scene in the film involves a baby who has swallowed a pin. Called to the scene without any medical equipment, Dr. Stevens uses her hairpin to safely pull the pin from the choaking child's mouth. "They say medicine is a man's game; I wonder what a man would have done with this?" she poses.
The Right to Romance (1933)
Dr. Monica (1934)
Character of Interest: Dr. Monica Braden (played by Kay Francis) Ob/Gyn
Dr. Monica follows the plot of the traditional woman's movie. Successful career woman Monica Braden discovers that her husband's philandering has led to the pregnancy of his mistress.
The Flame Within (1935)
Character of Interest: Mary White (played by Ann Harding), Psychiatrist
Private Worlds (1935)
Character of Interest: Jane Everest (played by Claudette Colbert), Psychiatrist
King of the Underworld (1939)
Character of Interest: Carol Nelson (played by Kay Francis)
Some movies are hard to discuss without spoiling the end for those who've not seen the film yet. Yes, this is a fairly standard gangster film, but the presence of a woman doctor and the very last scene make this a must see. Don't turn it off until the credits roll.
Woman Doctor (1939)
Character of Interest: Ruth Randall (played by Frieda Inescort), Surgeon
This is perhaps the most traditional film from the 30's. Woman doctor, involved with her job, is accused by her husband of neglecting him and their (bratty) daughter, resulting in his filing for divorce. But the ending (again, I'm hoping to avoid spoilers here) is not really expected. This isn't perhaps the best film ever made , but given the topic and the ending, it is worth a viewing (though it is very hard to track down).
Mary Stevens, M.D. (1933)
Character of Interest: Mary Stevens (played by Kay Francis), Pediatrician
Dr. Mary Stevens is a successful pediatrician. The key plot points are her romance with a married man and the birth of an illegitimate child. Perhaps the most interesting scene in the film involves a baby who has swallowed a pin. Called to the scene without any medical equipment, Dr. Stevens uses her hairpin to safely pull the pin from the choaking child's mouth. "They say medicine is a man's game; I wonder what a man would have done with this?" she poses.
The Right to Romance (1933)
Character of Interest: Margaret J. Simmons (played by Ann Harding), Plastic Surgeon
Character of Interest: Malvina Wormser (played by Edna May Oliver) Possibly an Ob/Gyn
Dr.
Wormser is the close friend of social worker Ann Vickers. She is
well-to-do, which an impressive home and influential friends. When Ann
becomes pregnant out of wedlock, Malvina brings her to Havana. The child
is dead when we next see Ann. It is not clear if Malvina performed an
abortion.
Dr. Monica (1934)Character of Interest: Dr. Monica Braden (played by Kay Francis) Ob/Gyn
Dr. Monica follows the plot of the traditional woman's movie. Successful career woman Monica Braden discovers that her husband's philandering has led to the pregnancy of his mistress.
The Flame Within (1935)
Character of Interest: Mary White (played by Ann Harding), Psychiatrist
Private Worlds (1935)
Character of Interest: Jane Everest (played by Claudette Colbert), Psychiatrist
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King of the Underworld (1939)
Character of Interest: Carol Nelson (played by Kay Francis)
Some movies are hard to discuss without spoiling the end for those who've not seen the film yet. Yes, this is a fairly standard gangster film, but the presence of a woman doctor and the very last scene make this a must see. Don't turn it off until the credits roll.
Woman Doctor (1939)
Character of Interest: Ruth Randall (played by Frieda Inescort), Surgeon
This is perhaps the most traditional film from the 30's. Woman doctor, involved with her job, is accused by her husband of neglecting him and their (bratty) daughter, resulting in his filing for divorce. But the ending (again, I'm hoping to avoid spoilers here) is not really expected. This isn't perhaps the best film ever made , but given the topic and the ending, it is worth a viewing (though it is very hard to track down).