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).
Director:
Fred Zinnemann
Writer:
Herman Boxer
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John Nesbitt as Narrator (voice) |
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Shepperd Strudwick as Dr. Semmelweis |
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Rudolph Anders as Doctor (uncredited) |
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King Baggot as Passerby (uncredited) |
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William Bailey as Passerby (uncredited) |
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Barbara Bedford as Nun Reading Book (uncredited) |
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Ralph Brooks as Medical Student at Lecture (uncredited) |
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Mary Howard as Young Stricken Mother (uncredited) |
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Leonard Penn as Semmelweis' Assistant (uncredited) |
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Beatrice Roberts as Passerby (uncredited) |
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Edward Van Sloan as Hospital Chief of Staff (uncredited) |
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E. Alyn Warren as Professor (uncredited) |
| Directing | Fred Zinnemann | Director |
| Camera | Harold Rosson | Director of Photography |
| Sound | David Snell | Music |
| Writing | Herman Boxer | Screenplay |
| Sound | Leonid Raab | Orchestrator |
| Production | John Nesbitt | Producer |
| Sound | George Bassman | Orchestrator |
