I loved this movie. June A. gives a great performance of the underdog female fighting for her dream despite the obstructive male bastion of turn of the century medicine. I was especially moved by the wonderful actress who played Dr. Yoman. She performed the role with a demure yet powerful presence. She is also one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen on film. It is she who carries the day for June and all her gender. Sadly, I never heard of her before. I hope to find other work she has done through IMDb. What else made this film? No raw sex, no violence, no gruesome scenes, just a great story that makes you feel good in the end.Wasn't a young James Arness fine as the burley tattooed sailor with the dislocated shoulder? Mothers: show this film to your daughters.
13 Reviews
Trimming the Petticoat
Maleejandra26 June 2006
The Girl in White might be seen as a feminist drama by some. It concerns a woman at the turn of the century who wants to become a doctor (June Allyson) who faced adversity when the men around her try to squash her dreams. She prevails and wins their respect including that of the man who wants to marry her (Arthur Kennedy). The reason this movie works is that the message isn't pushed upon the audience the way it would be if the film were remade today. It is somewhat inspirational, but mostly it just tells a story.
Allyson is great as always and very sweet. A line from the movie describes her well, "You just make people feel good so that they forget themselves, their own troubles. Sometimes that means more than any medicine." The man who speaks the lines, Kennedy, is excellent in this film. He has mastered the art of showing emotions without verbally referencing them first.
Allyson is great as always and very sweet. A line from the movie describes her well, "You just make people feel good so that they forget themselves, their own troubles. Sometimes that means more than any medicine." The man who speaks the lines, Kennedy, is excellent in this film. He has mastered the art of showing emotions without verbally referencing them first.
A portrait of a pioneer in medicine
jotix10019 June 2006
Emily Dunning was a determined young woman when she decided to go into the medical field. What attracted her to this area of science was a role model she met during a family crisis involving her mother at their arrival in New York. When the mother collapsed, she goes out trying to get help, but there are no physicians in the neighborhood, except the kind Dr. Yeomans, a woman doctor, who not only treats her mother, but is instrumental in inspiring young Emily to follow in her foot steps.
This story takes place at the end of the XIX century, when women were a rarity in pursuing a medical career. The determined Emily Dunning enters Cornell, where she is the only female in the class. All the male students realize she is in because the love of medicine, but they are not too kind to her. The handsome Ben Barringer is the only one that seems taken by Emily.
When Emily is ready for her internship, she is accepted by a New York hospital. The head of the department makes it clear about his feelings toward a woman in the hospital and gives her the worst assignments. Dr. Dunning accepts what's given to her until she proves herself to be an asset to the institution that has been unkind to her. After an outbreak of typhoid fever, Dr. Yeomans comes to the hospital to help and the two women are reunited. Dr. Barringer confesses his love for Emily as he is leaving for Paris on a research trip.
This biopic was presented recently by TCM. The movie, rarely seen these days, should be seen more often because director John Sturges' inspired take on the life of a woman who overcame all odds against her. June Allyson plays Emily Dunning with her usual spunk, given the subject matter a great reading. Arthur Kennedy also did an excellent job as Ben Barringer. Gary Merrill, Mildred Dunnock are seen in supporting roles.
This story takes place at the end of the XIX century, when women were a rarity in pursuing a medical career. The determined Emily Dunning enters Cornell, where she is the only female in the class. All the male students realize she is in because the love of medicine, but they are not too kind to her. The handsome Ben Barringer is the only one that seems taken by Emily.
When Emily is ready for her internship, she is accepted by a New York hospital. The head of the department makes it clear about his feelings toward a woman in the hospital and gives her the worst assignments. Dr. Dunning accepts what's given to her until she proves herself to be an asset to the institution that has been unkind to her. After an outbreak of typhoid fever, Dr. Yeomans comes to the hospital to help and the two women are reunited. Dr. Barringer confesses his love for Emily as he is leaving for Paris on a research trip.
This biopic was presented recently by TCM. The movie, rarely seen these days, should be seen more often because director John Sturges' inspired take on the life of a woman who overcame all odds against her. June Allyson plays Emily Dunning with her usual spunk, given the subject matter a great reading. Arthur Kennedy also did an excellent job as Ben Barringer. Gary Merrill, Mildred Dunnock are seen in supporting roles.
Okay biopic, nothing special
vandino16 January 2006
This is a fairly accurate re-telling of the Emily Dunning story. She was a turn of the century doctor, and being a woman doctor, therefore treated like a freak, or publicity hound. Sadly, the tale is always the same: woman/minority enters field dominated by white males and is mistreated and pressured to quit. Dunning was a doctor decades before women were given the right to vote! And she didn't just deliver babies, she was out on ambulance calls day and night. Quite an impressive figure, but June Allyson (reminding me of a more winsome version of ER's Maura Tierney) is only adequate as Dunning. The film has its moments, yet the struggles Dunning truly incurred in overcoming the male doctor establishment and public attitude is only moderately presented here. It's as if the male dominated film-making establishment didn't want their doctor counterparts to look too bigoted. And much of the film is devoted to Allyson's relationship with Arthur Kennedy (Dr. Barringer -- in real life became her husband). Once again, the filmmakers are more concerned with stressing the standard woman-as-love-interest-only angle. It also starts to slow down in the second half, unfortunately. But this is the only film covering Dunning's interesting story so it's worth looking at at least for that reason.
Very good story about hospital care and a first female doctor at the turn of the century
vincentlynch-moonoi16 May 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Not sure why, but I didn't have high hopes for this film, even though June Allyson is the star. But, to my pleasant surprise, it was quite good and -- I thought -- gave one a good sense of hospital care in turn of the century New York City. It's the relatively true story of the first female doctor to serve in a NYC hospital.
June Allyson really shines in this role...just perfect for it. This is the second film I've seen recently where Arthur Kennedy is NOT playing a fairly cynical character (or downright "bad" guy); and guess what -- he was very good both times...guess he got typecast in negative roles at some point. Character actress Mildred Dunnock is very good as an older female doctor with no hospital experience until later in the film. Gary Merrill also does nicely as the director of the hospital, and Jesse White is entertainingly pleasant as a horse-driven ambulance driver.
A great film? No. But very good and rather serious on its topic.
June Allyson really shines in this role...just perfect for it. This is the second film I've seen recently where Arthur Kennedy is NOT playing a fairly cynical character (or downright "bad" guy); and guess what -- he was very good both times...guess he got typecast in negative roles at some point. Character actress Mildred Dunnock is very good as an older female doctor with no hospital experience until later in the film. Gary Merrill also does nicely as the director of the hospital, and Jesse White is entertainingly pleasant as a horse-driven ambulance driver.
A great film? No. But very good and rather serious on its topic.
Dreaming the impossible dream
bkoganbing14 July 2018
Based on the memoirs of her character Ann Dunning Barringer, June Allyson gets
to play a woman doctor at a time when there weren't too many. The time of
the turn of the last century is captured very well.
Her own role model is that of Mildred Dunnock also a physician of the female gender who has had to be most discreet in order to earn a living in the medical profession. Allyson is not about discretion.
In fact as Allyson becomes a hero to the nurses in and around 1900 it wasn't that long ago that Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton opened the nursing profession for women. For them Allyson is dreaming the impossible dream.
The men in her life include Arthur Kennedy whom she breaks things off with because he a doctor wants his woman home with supper on the table and her supervisor Gary Merrill who also thinks there are men doctors and women nurses and the twain shall not meet. A man who believes in specific gender roles.
The Girl In White has a fine ensemble cast who give great support to Allyson who must have been grateful to get away from girl next door roles.
Her own role model is that of Mildred Dunnock also a physician of the female gender who has had to be most discreet in order to earn a living in the medical profession. Allyson is not about discretion.
In fact as Allyson becomes a hero to the nurses in and around 1900 it wasn't that long ago that Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton opened the nursing profession for women. For them Allyson is dreaming the impossible dream.
The men in her life include Arthur Kennedy whom she breaks things off with because he a doctor wants his woman home with supper on the table and her supervisor Gary Merrill who also thinks there are men doctors and women nurses and the twain shall not meet. A man who believes in specific gender roles.
The Girl In White has a fine ensemble cast who give great support to Allyson who must have been grateful to get away from girl next door roles.
its a great film and still can be viewed and enjoyed in the year 2005
turbo_issa7 February 2005
I loved this movie so much. I watched when I was 21 and now I'm 22 going on to 23 and I think this movie is great. We are in the year 2005 and I can honestly tell you that women will love this movie and not only women but men as well. The male lead in this movie has such dignity and is so respectable that he elevates the status of men, not making them out and men appear these days on film to be after a women only for there looks. He looks just like Kiefer Sutherland, and since I didn't know his name I called him the Kiefer look alike when I described the story to my sister. He is ambitious, smart just like the leading lady who is the wonderful June Allyson. I was bored one day and I turned on TCM and this movie started in black and white, and I don't like black and white films. The story of this film is great. It starts off with June "Emily" and her mother moving to a new town and her mother falls ill or is pregnant and asks her daughter to find a doctor. Emily hunts for a doctor and finds the doctors apartment, upon entering she meets a woman and inquires where the doctor is. The woman declares herself to be the doctor "Dr Marie". Emily is hesitant about sending this woman to heal her mother for she has the same prejudice that a lot had back in those days about women being doctors. Nevertheless Dr Marie attends to her mother and after he mother is better. Emily gains the utmost respect for her and the story continues on to Emily becomes Dr Maries assistant and then goes to Medical school where she is the only woman there. The story is triumphant of how she finds love with another doctor who is probably one of the best male characters I've ever seen, and how she overcomes obstacles to be a great doctor, and on top of that she is a woman doctor. Its great acting and for me who wasn't caught up in the hype of MGM stars and I don't care what happened back then, for me to fall in love with this film and relate to it is great personally. So I recommend you all to watch it. Don't be turned off by the fact that it is black and white like I was initially and let yourself be inspired.
female empowerment biopic
SnoopyStyle26 September 2020
It's the turn of the century New York City. Emily Dunning (June Allyson) is taken with Dr. Marie Yeomans who saved her mother's life. Yeomans is an established doctor who still faces sexist treatment all the time. She helps Emily get into Cornell medical school. Fellow student Ben Barringer falls for Emily and proposes to her but he's still holding onto old fashion ideals.
It's a female empowerment biopic. The premise is straight forward. For me, the most compelling may be the horse drawn ambulance. I don't think I've seen one of those in any movie. Sure, the movie is not about the ambulance but I find it great fun thrills. All in all, it's a solid well-acted standard biopic.
It's a female empowerment biopic. The premise is straight forward. For me, the most compelling may be the horse drawn ambulance. I don't think I've seen one of those in any movie. Sure, the movie is not about the ambulance but I find it great fun thrills. All in all, it's a solid well-acted standard biopic.
Can't Ignore This Female Doctor And More-Girl in White ****
edwagreen8 January 2011
Warning: Spoilers
Wonderful,engaging film of a perky young lady played so well by June Allyson, without overacting, who aspires to become a doctor when a female doctor, Mildred Dunnock, saves her mother in childbirth.
The film takes place at the turn of the century N.Y. and Allyson is confronted with male prejudice regarding women doctors. Despite it all, she becomes the first female physician intern at a N.Y. hospital and immediately proves her mettle on all accounts.
Arthur Kennedy and Gary Merrill are the two physicians in her life. While there is some old fashioned romance, and responsibility to duty, the picture ends in the way you would expect it to.
The film takes place at the turn of the century N.Y. and Allyson is confronted with male prejudice regarding women doctors. Despite it all, she becomes the first female physician intern at a N.Y. hospital and immediately proves her mettle on all accounts.
Arthur Kennedy and Gary Merrill are the two physicians in her life. While there is some old fashioned romance, and responsibility to duty, the picture ends in the way you would expect it to.
Standard biopic in which "girl next door" overcomes medical misogyny and joins pantheon of healer saints
Turfseer27 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
During her lifetime, June Allyson, known for her "girl next door" roles, championed causes related to the medical profession. So it's only natural that she would have chosen to depict the career of Emily Dunning Barringer, the first US female ambulance surgeon and surgical resident. We first meet Emily as a teenager at the turn of the century. When her mother passes out from labor pains, she must find a local doctor to assist. Emily ends up finding a neighborhood physician, Marie Yeomans (Mildred Dunnock) and even she is taken aback when she discovers that Yeomans is a woman. Yeomans is a fictional character based on a family friend of Emily's, Dr. Marie Jacobi, who was instrumental in convincing Emily and her mother to go ahead and take a medical preparatory course sponsored by Cornell University.
The break into the Second Act occurs when Emily begins attending Cornell and is subjected to sexism by the all-male coterie of medical students. She falls in love with Ben Barringer (Arthur Kennedy), another student there, but when he is to continue his studies at Harvard and asks Emily to be his wife without continuing her own studies, she rejects that idea out of hand.
The film then ably chronicles Emily's difficulty in obtaining a surgical residency at a hospital in New York City. Finally, through Dr. Yeoman's help (she prods the Health Commissioner), Emily is appointed the first surgical resident at Gouveneur's Hospital. There she butts heads with Dr. Seth Pawling (Gary Merill), the director, who also doesn't like the idea of female physicians. In addition to enduring the ridicule of her fellow interns (which was probably worse than depicted here), she proves her mettle "in the trenches" as a physician. Barringer ends up working at the hospital too, and provides moral support.
Two scenes highlight Emily's competency: assisted by the kindly ambulance driver Alec (Jesse White), they drive to the scene of a shipyard accident, in which a laborer appears to have taken a bad fall. Emily diagnoses the problem as a dislocated arm and using all her strength, resets the bone much to the surprise of the grateful laborer. Later, a callous physician declares a patient dead but Emily hears a heartbeat with her stethoscope and conscripts a team of nurses, getting the man back on his feet, plying him with continuous cups of coffee, walking him around until he regains full consciousness.
This revival of the dead man causes Pawling to recognize Emily's talents and he apologizes to her for his earlier prejudicial attitude.
Allyson, with her bubbly personality, suggests that not only did Emily bring her smarts to the profession but a sense of compassion and empathy to her patients, in striking contrast to many of the stuffed shirts, who harbored haughty attitudes toward women and dealt with patients without the "personal touch."
Emily is depicted as pretty much optimistic throughout the narrative, except for the scene in which she threatens to quit the profession after suffering a wall of discrimination. Nonetheless, given Allyson's skill in conveying the aforementioned optimism of the film's protagonist, we don't really mind too much that she comes off as a bit of a one-dimensional "good gal."
Unfortunately the other principals are depicted as virtual saints, with the film veering off in the direction of hagiography. It's more than likely audiences at the time sensed this, as The Girl in White lost money at the box office. According to this film, the only remedial correction the medical profession needed at the turn of the century, was to overcome its antipathy toward women. Left out were any suggestions of medical tyranny: the rise of pharmaceuticals and their dangerous side effects, leading to iatrogenic disorders coupled with the reliance on dark theories of contagion, resulting in authoritarian edicts (so readily evident in our own time).
Barringer (whom Emily eventually married) is perhaps the dullest character in the film-his only sin was to early on discourage Emily from continuing on in the profession. Later on, he puts a band-aid on his finger after he's exposed to radium (did anyone ever suffer from the use of such radioactive substances prescribed by doctors at any point? Not dealt with!). Dr. Pawling is another rather dull character who's allowed a measure of redemption when he apologizes to Emily. He's another "saint" who's depicted similar to a captain of a ship: "steady at the helm." Again, it's only the misogyny that needs to be corrected in the medical profession and not any symptoms of treatment overreach.
The third saint in the triptych is Dr. Yeoman whom receives a curtain call when she's called on to work at Gouveneur's Hospital during a typhoid outbreak. When she drops dead of heart failure, the violins are trotted out.
The Girl in White is your standard Hollywood biopic; watchable due to Allyson's warm presence on screen. You will learn very little about the medical profession here except for its early history of poor treatment of women. By the time the film is over, women are now depicted as having been accepted into the revered fraternity of medical professionals-now both sexes can be placed on their high and mighty pedestals and pontificate all they want, without any challenge whatsoever.
The break into the Second Act occurs when Emily begins attending Cornell and is subjected to sexism by the all-male coterie of medical students. She falls in love with Ben Barringer (Arthur Kennedy), another student there, but when he is to continue his studies at Harvard and asks Emily to be his wife without continuing her own studies, she rejects that idea out of hand.
The film then ably chronicles Emily's difficulty in obtaining a surgical residency at a hospital in New York City. Finally, through Dr. Yeoman's help (she prods the Health Commissioner), Emily is appointed the first surgical resident at Gouveneur's Hospital. There she butts heads with Dr. Seth Pawling (Gary Merill), the director, who also doesn't like the idea of female physicians. In addition to enduring the ridicule of her fellow interns (which was probably worse than depicted here), she proves her mettle "in the trenches" as a physician. Barringer ends up working at the hospital too, and provides moral support.
Two scenes highlight Emily's competency: assisted by the kindly ambulance driver Alec (Jesse White), they drive to the scene of a shipyard accident, in which a laborer appears to have taken a bad fall. Emily diagnoses the problem as a dislocated arm and using all her strength, resets the bone much to the surprise of the grateful laborer. Later, a callous physician declares a patient dead but Emily hears a heartbeat with her stethoscope and conscripts a team of nurses, getting the man back on his feet, plying him with continuous cups of coffee, walking him around until he regains full consciousness.
This revival of the dead man causes Pawling to recognize Emily's talents and he apologizes to her for his earlier prejudicial attitude.
Allyson, with her bubbly personality, suggests that not only did Emily bring her smarts to the profession but a sense of compassion and empathy to her patients, in striking contrast to many of the stuffed shirts, who harbored haughty attitudes toward women and dealt with patients without the "personal touch."
Emily is depicted as pretty much optimistic throughout the narrative, except for the scene in which she threatens to quit the profession after suffering a wall of discrimination. Nonetheless, given Allyson's skill in conveying the aforementioned optimism of the film's protagonist, we don't really mind too much that she comes off as a bit of a one-dimensional "good gal."
Unfortunately the other principals are depicted as virtual saints, with the film veering off in the direction of hagiography. It's more than likely audiences at the time sensed this, as The Girl in White lost money at the box office. According to this film, the only remedial correction the medical profession needed at the turn of the century, was to overcome its antipathy toward women. Left out were any suggestions of medical tyranny: the rise of pharmaceuticals and their dangerous side effects, leading to iatrogenic disorders coupled with the reliance on dark theories of contagion, resulting in authoritarian edicts (so readily evident in our own time).
Barringer (whom Emily eventually married) is perhaps the dullest character in the film-his only sin was to early on discourage Emily from continuing on in the profession. Later on, he puts a band-aid on his finger after he's exposed to radium (did anyone ever suffer from the use of such radioactive substances prescribed by doctors at any point? Not dealt with!). Dr. Pawling is another rather dull character who's allowed a measure of redemption when he apologizes to Emily. He's another "saint" who's depicted similar to a captain of a ship: "steady at the helm." Again, it's only the misogyny that needs to be corrected in the medical profession and not any symptoms of treatment overreach.
The third saint in the triptych is Dr. Yeoman whom receives a curtain call when she's called on to work at Gouveneur's Hospital during a typhoid outbreak. When she drops dead of heart failure, the violins are trotted out.
The Girl in White is your standard Hollywood biopic; watchable due to Allyson's warm presence on screen. You will learn very little about the medical profession here except for its early history of poor treatment of women. By the time the film is over, women are now depicted as having been accepted into the revered fraternity of medical professionals-now both sexes can be placed on their high and mighty pedestals and pontificate all they want, without any challenge whatsoever.
For its era, it sticks pretty close to the true story of Dr. Dunning.
planktonrules20 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is based on the memoirs of Dr. Emily Dunning Barringer ("Bowery to Bellevue: The Story of New York's First Woman Ambulance Surgeon"). She was a rather amazing woman. Although not among the very first female doctors in America (this occurred in the middle of the 19th century), this tenacious woman managed to obtain a hospital internship and excelled there...something no other woman had done in New York City before her. Her path from a teen through her internship is the subject of this movie. Her amazing life after this isn't discussed--but you might want to read up more about her and her husband, Dr. Barringer. They both led fascinating and important lives....both together and apart.
The acting, writing and direction were all spot on in this one. I have a few minor quibbles, as the story wasn't 100% true. First, it de-emphasized the cruel bigotry Dunning actually faced by the other doctors. Second, Dr. Yeomans' character wasn't a real person but was a re-worked version of Dunning's real-life friend and mentor, Dr. Mary Corinna Putnam Jacobi. Why they changed these things is beyond me...but they don't hinder the overall film and compared to 1950s biopics, it's rather minor. Overall, an inspiring and enjoyable film...well worth seeing and June Allyson's best work....as was also the case with Mildred Dunnock who played Dr. Yeomans.
The acting, writing and direction were all spot on in this one. I have a few minor quibbles, as the story wasn't 100% true. First, it de-emphasized the cruel bigotry Dunning actually faced by the other doctors. Second, Dr. Yeomans' character wasn't a real person but was a re-worked version of Dunning's real-life friend and mentor, Dr. Mary Corinna Putnam Jacobi. Why they changed these things is beyond me...but they don't hinder the overall film and compared to 1950s biopics, it's rather minor. Overall, an inspiring and enjoyable film...well worth seeing and June Allyson's best work....as was also the case with Mildred Dunnock who played Dr. Yeomans.
A Woman's movie that this guy loves
bobbyhollywood24 August 2010
What can I say about June Allyson, that hasn't been said, not much. I have enjoyed here work for many many years, when ever I see her photo I think to myself "high bar-ber-ree," and Van Johnson. This movies tells the story of a Woman's struggle to be a doctor in a male dominated field, but she handles herself very well, and truly makes her point. No, no, no, no blood, not a drop, and you can use the four letter words in this movie, in church, but it is not dry, no, no, no. Have to mention the scenes of the good doctor and the nurses trying to sober up a man who has a little too much of the creature, it is funny. Young Women, from pre-teens up, can get a boost from this movie, and have them feeling like they can make it, which ain't bad. Don't kiss of this movie guys, you may like it as much as I, she is very cute, and the way she works around things is masterful at times.
Well worth the price of rental/buy, give it a chance.
Well worth the price of rental/buy, give it a chance.
Very Impressive
ldeangelis-7570812 February 2023
What I liked most is that this movie's based on the life of Dr. Emily Dunning Barringer, so they have to give this biopic a dose of realism. So, the story doesn't go over-the-top with the man vs. Woman/career vs. Homemaker thing and comes across as genuine.
It was also nice to see June Allyson in a role that wasn't either the ingenue or the good wife.
The early 20th century wasn't an easy time for a woman doctor, though many (like Dr. Barringer) were willing to put up with whatever was thrown their way, in order to practice medicine.
Some of the opposition was unbelievable, like when Dr. Seth Pawling (Gary Merrill) is reluctant to hire her, despite her having graduated third in her med school class! He insists women don't have what it takes to be good doctors, though she soon proves him wrong!
She does a great job, first on ambulance duty, later saving a life despaired of, and then during a typhoid epidemic.
She has some clashes with Ben Barringer, (Arthur Kennedy) the doctor she loves, with both making sacrifices, both for their careers and for each other, which sets the stage for their future together.
I've said enough and won't give away more. Just check it out, as it's worth it.
It was also nice to see June Allyson in a role that wasn't either the ingenue or the good wife.
The early 20th century wasn't an easy time for a woman doctor, though many (like Dr. Barringer) were willing to put up with whatever was thrown their way, in order to practice medicine.
Some of the opposition was unbelievable, like when Dr. Seth Pawling (Gary Merrill) is reluctant to hire her, despite her having graduated third in her med school class! He insists women don't have what it takes to be good doctors, though she soon proves him wrong!
She does a great job, first on ambulance duty, later saving a life despaired of, and then during a typhoid epidemic.
She has some clashes with Ben Barringer, (Arthur Kennedy) the doctor she loves, with both making sacrifices, both for their careers and for each other, which sets the stage for their future together.
I've said enough and won't give away more. Just check it out, as it's worth it.
See also
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