Arrowsmith (1931)

Director:

John Ford

Writers:

Sinclair Lewis (novel)
Sidney Howard (adaptation)

Release Date:

26 December 1931 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Based on Sinclair Lewis's novel "Arrowsmith". A medical researcher is sent to a plague outbreak, where he has to decide priorities for the use of a vaccine.

Plot Keywords:

Vaccine | Medical | Plague | West Indies | Diphtheria

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars.

Cast

Ronald Colman	...	Dr. Martin Arrowsmith
Helen Hayes	...	Leora Arrowsmith
Richard Bennett	...	Gustav Sondelius
A.E. Anson	...	Professor Max Gottlieb
Clarence Brooks	...	Oliver Marchand
Alec B. Francis	...	Twyford (as Alec Francis)
Claude King	...	Dr. Tubbs
Bert Roach	...	Bert Tozer
Myrna Loy	...	Mrs. Joyce Lanyon
Russell Hopton	...	Terry Wickett
David Landau	...	State Veterinarian
Lumsden Hare	...	Sir Robert Fairland - Governor

Runtime:

108 min | USA:99 min (TCM print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian | Swedish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G | USA:Approved (PCA #1037, 5 July 1935 for re-release) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-PG (TV rating)

Company:

Howard Productions

Trivia:

The first American sound film to feature a black character ("Dr. Oliver Marchand" played by Clarence Brooks) with a university degree who speaks perfect English, does not shuffle, and does not act in the usual stereotypical manner in which blacks were depicted in Hollywood films at the time.

Quotes:

Dr. Martin Arrowsmith: You've got to get used to hearing my ideas.
Leora Arrowsmith: Oh! I'm gonna hear a lot of them?
Dr. Martin Arrowsmith: You're going to marry me.
Leora Arrowsmith: You don't tell me.
Dr. Martin Arrowsmith: I certainly do.
Leora Arrowsmith: Now, you know, I shouldn't wonder if you're right. Of course, it's a little early in the game to be dead sure, but I shouldn't wonder.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in That's Black Entertainment (1990)

Soundtrack:

William Tell Overture

This tragic tale is worth seeing

I am nearing 30 years old and just now beginning to appreciate old films. I absolutely loved Arrowsmith, cried through many scenes. I thought it was terribly romantic and tragic. I really liked the scene where he sees her scrubbing the floor and asks her out on a date. Then on the date he tells her that she is going to marry him and she pretends that she took him seriously (but seemed to be in shock that he was completely serious). Then throughout their married life it seems like one try after another with his career and then finally he decides to go back into scientific work with his old friend and mentor. Dr. Arrowsmith becomes so engrossed in his studies that he often neglects his wife, who is lonely and alone at home waiting for him. The ending, though tragic, is touching because of the last line that he says. It proves that he really deeply loved his wife...but you'll have to see this one to find out! It will be worth it to all you sappy romantics like me.