Life Begins 1932

Is It a Masterpiece or Menace?

5.7 / 10   6 vote(s)
Drama

A day in the maternity ward from the lens of accepted morals and medical attitudes of 1932. The ward includes women from all walks of life and situations.

Release Date 1932-09-10
Runtime 1h 11m
Directors Elliott Nugent, James Flood, James Van Trees
Producer Darryl F. Zanuck
Writers Mary M. Axelson, Earl Baldwin

This film provides a window into life of 1932 as viewed from a higher-risk maternity ward. These were the days when surgery was much more dangerous, where ether ruled and the risk of infection was high (penicillin wasn't in widespread use for another 10 years). The expectant mothers in the ward come from all walks of the working-class life: a woman about to deliver her fifth child, an Italian, a proud "modern woman" (single), a nightclub singer and a convicted murderer.

A film worth watching.

Frank F