That Mothers Might Live (1938)
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 - Narrator (voice)
- Shepperd Strudwick - Dr. Semmelweis
- Rudolph Anders - Doctor (uncredited)
- King Baggot - Passerby (uncredited)
- William Bailey - Passerby (uncredited)
- Barbara Bedford - Nun Reading Book (uncredited)
- Ralph Brooks - Medical Student at Lecture (uncredited)
- Mary Howard - Young Stricken Mother (uncredited)
- Leonard Penn - Semmelweis' Assistant (uncredited)
- Beatrice Roberts - Passerby (uncredited)
Screenplay
- Herman Boxer (Screenplay)
Keywords
infection, death in childbirth, washing hands, germs, maternity, child birth, sanitation
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is That Mothers Might Live about?
- 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).
- Who directed That Mothers Might Live?
- That Mothers Might Live was directed by Fred Zinnemann.
- Who stars in That Mothers Might Live?
- That Mothers Might Live stars John Nesbitt, Shepperd Strudwick, Rudolph Anders, King Baggot, William Bailey, Barbara Bedford.
- How long is That Mothers Might Live?
- That Mothers Might Live has a runtime of 10m (10 minutes).
- What genre is That Mothers Might Live?
- That Mothers Might Live is a Drama film.
- Where was That Mothers Might Live produced?
- That Mothers Might Live was produced in United States of America.