Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940)

True story of the doctor who considered it was not immoral to search for a drug that would cure syphillis.

Director:

William Dieterle

Writers:

John Huston (original screenplay), Heinz Herald (original screenplay),

Stars:

Edward G. Robinson, Ruth Gordon, Otto Kruger

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edward G. Robinson	...	Dr. Paul Ehrlich
Ruth Gordon	...	Mrs. Ehrlich
Otto Kruger	...	Dr. Emil Von Behring
Donald Crisp	...	Minister Althoff
Maria Ouspenskaya	...	Franziska Speyer
Montagu Love	...	Professor Hartmann
Sig Ruman	...	Dr. Hans Wolfert (as Sig Rumann)
Donald Meek	...	Mittelmeyer
Henry O'Neill	...	Dr. Lentz
Albert Bassermann	...	Dr. Robert Koch
Edward Norris	...	Dr. Morgenroth
Harry Davenport	...	Judge
Louis Calhern	...	Dr. Brockdorf
Louis Jean Heydt	...	Dr. Kunze
Charles Halton	...	Sensenbrenner

Storyline

Dr. Paul Ehrlich was the German physician who developed the first synthetic antimicrobial drug, 606 or Salvarsan. The film describes how Ehrlich first became interested in the properties of the then-new synthetic dyes and had an intuition that they could be useful in the diagnosis of bacterial diseases. After this work met with success, Ehrlich proposed that synthetic compounds could be made to selectively target and destroy disease causing microorganisms. He called such a drug a "magic bullet". The film describes how in 1908, after 606 attempts, he succeeded.

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Plot Keywords:

serum | laboratory | medical | libel | tuberculosis | 

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Taglines:

Two women stood by him while all the world jeered...a world he was trying to save!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 March 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

Doktor Ehrlich

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ehrlich's cure for syphilis, Salvarsan 606, became the most prescribed drug in the world until the discovery of penicillin in the 1940s, when it became the preferred treatment for the disease.

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Goofs

When Dr. Ehrlich (Edward G. Robinson) is on trial, the prosecutor says: "We are not concerned with the rosy future Dr. Ehrlich paints; the revelant point is..." What he meant to say was "relevant".

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Quotes

Defense Attorney: So while no cures can be attributed to '606,' 38 deaths resulted from it's use?
Dr. Emil Von Behring: 39.
Defense Attorney: 39? You know of another death?
Dr. Emil Von Behring: Yes, syphilis. The death of syphilis itself.
Dr. Hans Wolfert: Dr. von Behring you have written and lectured against the Ehrlich theory.
Dr. Emil Von Behring: Yes, I did, Dr. Wolfert, but you must understand it is the task of science to discover the truth. There is no shame attached to the recognition of error.

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Connections

Referenced in Patient Porky (1940)

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Soundtracks

"Kunsterleben, Op. 316 (Artist's Life)"
(1867) (uncredited)
Music by Johann Strauß
Played at Madame Speyer's dinner party

User Reviews

Excellent Warners biography of famed chemist- Robinson's best performance

Edward G. Robinson should have netted a Best Actor Oscar nom for his superb screen portrayal of the dedicated chemist and researcher, Dr. Paul Ehrlich. This is one of the great Warners screen biographies, along with THE STORY OF LOUIS PASTEUR, THE LIFE OF EMILE ZOLA, and MADAME CURIE. The screenplay is literate and well deserving of its Oscar nom. The direction is tight and the acting is excellent all round. Ehrlich introduced treatment with chemical, as opposed to herbal, substances and developed cures for diphtheria and syphillis. Altogether one of the most rewarding of film experiences. Go out of your way to see it - one of Hollywood's great films.