A Child Is Born (1939)

A maternity ward, staffed by sympathetic nurses, serves mothers-to-be from all walks of life. These include a happy mother of a large family; a secretly-married teenager who thinks their ... See full summary »

Director:

Lloyd Bacon

Writers:

Mary M. Axelson (based on the play by), Robert Rossen (screen play)

Stars:

Geraldine Fitzgerald, Jeffrey Lynn, Gladys George

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Geraldine Fitzgerald	...	Grace Sutton
Jeffrey Lynn	...	Jed Sutton
Gladys George	...	Florette
Gale Page	...	Miss Bowers
Spring Byington	...	Mrs. West
Johnnie Davis	...	Ringer Banks
Henry O'Neill	...	Dr. Lee
John Litel	...	Dr. Brett
Gloria Holden	...	Mrs. Kempner
Johnny Downs	...	Johnny Norton
Eve Arden	...	Miss Pinty
Fay Helm	...	The Woman
Louis Jean Heydt	...	Mr. Kempner
Nanette Fabray	...	Gladys Norton (as Nanette Fabares)
Jean Sharon	...	Mrs. Banks

Storyline

A maternity ward, staffed by sympathetic nurses, serves mothers-to-be from all walks of life. These include a happy mother of a large family; a secretly-married teenager who thinks their parents won't approve of either their children's marriage or baby; a woman who is trying for a living child despite a history of stillbirths; a showgirl who doesn't want a child, and who is shocked to find she is having twins; and a convicted murderess whose husband is forced to choose between saving her or the baby.

---

Plot Keywords:

drinking while pregnant | moll | mental patient | pregnant wife | fatherhood | 

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 January 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

Quando a Vida Começa

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was rejected in Ireland, New Zealand and British Columbia because it might have created fear in expectant mothers. Scenes of expectant mothers experiencing labor pains, as well as scenes of actual or suggested childbirth were purposely omitted. In fact none of the expectant mothers even looked pregnant.

---

Connections

Version of Life Begins (1932)

---

Soundtracks

"My Melancholy Baby"
(1911) (uncredited)
Music by Ernie Burnett
Lyrics by George A. Norton
Sung a cappella by Gladys George
Reprised by her when she gets to hold her baby

User Reviews

Get out the handkerchief!

Get ready for an emotional roller coaster! One minute you'll be laughing the next minute the tears will be streaming down your cheeks! This is the story of one hospital's maternity floor and the women who are staying there waiting to have their babies. Geraldine Fitzgerald gives a fine performance as Mrs. Grace Sutton, a young lady, like any other, going to the hospital to have a baby...only she is handcuffed! She has evidently murdered a man (though no explanation is given as to the circumstances)and will likely spend the rest of her life in prison. The stress of being in jail and having a baby is proving to be too much for her. Gloria Holden (star of Dracula's Daughter a few years earlier) plays a woman who is worried about losing her first child. Spring Byington has a field day as a gal who is now popping out her 6th child, and a very young Nanette Fabray is a teenager whose mother doesn't know she is having a baby, or that she is even married! Then there is Gale Page as the oh so professional nurse, and Eve Arden in a rare non-comedic role as another nurse. But the stand-out performances are by Jeffrey Lynn as the tragic husband of the incarcerated mom-to-be and Johnnie Davis as another franticly nervous spouse! These and a few other characters play out this underrated film which, while slightly dated, is sure to wring out the tears in just about everyone! I give it 10 stars!!!