Secrets of a Nurse (1938)
A STARTLING CONFESSION THAT COULD SAVE THE MAN SHE LOVED...BUT HER PROFESSIONAL PLEDGE SWORE HER TO SILENCE!
This Universal programmer was based on a Collier's Magazine story by journalist Quentin Reynolds. This story in turn was ostensibly based on a true incident, in which a gangster "returned from the dead" to save an innocent young man from the electric chair. The nurse of the film's title is Katharine McDonald, who falls in love with her prizefighter-patient Lee Burke as he recovers from a beating received in a fixed prizefight. Katharine must fend off the advances of criminal attorney John Dodge, another patient who also loves her and becomes jealous of Lee. But when Lee is framed for the murder of his disgruntled manager, Slice, by a henchman of the fight-fix leader, Joe Largo, Dodge takes on his defense and works with Katherine to discover the real killer. Convicted and sentenced to death, Burke is about to walk the "last mile", as Katharine encourages mortally wounded Largo to a deathbed confession.
Cast
- Helen Mack - Nurse Katherine 'Mack' MacDonald
- Dick Foran - 'Killer' Lee Burke
- Edmund Lowe - John Dodge
- Leon Ames - Joe Largo
- Horace McMahon - Larry Carson
- Paul Hurst - Arlington Bysshe 'Slice' Cavanaugh
- David Oliver - 'Spud', the valet
- Samuel S. Hinds - Judge Corrigan
- Clarence Muse - 'Tiger', Lee's Handler
- Alan Ladd - Hospital Orderly (uncredited)
Screenplay
- Lester Cole (Screenplay)
- Thomas Lennon (Screenplay)
- Quentin Reynolds (Story)
Themes
Medical Drama and Hospital, Justice System Failings and Victims, Brutal Prison Drama, Courtroom Drama
Keywords
judge, nurse, prayer, death row, murder, capital punishment, hospital, gambler, wrongful conviction, framed for murder, fixed fight, criminal lawyer, boxer hero, boxing manager, nurse patient relationship
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Secrets of a Nurse about?
- This Universal programmer was based on a Collier's Magazine story by journalist Quentin Reynolds. This story in turn was ostensibly based on a true incident, in which a gangster "returned from the dead" to save an innocent young man from the electric chair. The nurse of the film's title is Katharine McDonald, who falls in love with her prizefighter-patient Lee Burke as he recovers from a beating received in a fixed prizefight. Katharine must fend off the advances of criminal attorney John Dodge, another patient who also loves her and becomes jealous of Lee. But when Lee is framed for the murder of his disgruntled manager, Slice, by a henchman of the fight-fix leader, Joe Largo, Dodge takes on his defense and works with Katherine to discover the real killer. Convicted and sentenced to death, Burke is about to walk the "last mile", as Katharine encourages mortally wounded Largo to a deathbed confession.
- Who directed Secrets of a Nurse?
- Secrets of a Nurse was directed by Arthur Lubin.
- Who stars in Secrets of a Nurse?
- Secrets of a Nurse stars Helen Mack, Dick Foran, Edmund Lowe, Leon Ames, Horace McMahon, Paul Hurst.
- How long is Secrets of a Nurse?
- Secrets of a Nurse has a runtime of 1h 15m (75 minutes).
- What genre is Secrets of a Nurse?
- Secrets of a Nurse is a Drama, Crime, Romance film.
- Where was Secrets of a Nurse produced?
- Secrets of a Nurse was produced in United States of America.
- What are the themes of Secrets of a Nurse?
- The themes of Secrets of a Nurse include: Medical Drama and Hospital, Justice System Failings and Victims, Brutal Prison Drama, Courtroom Drama.