Haus des Lebens (1952)

Director:

Karl Hartl

Writers:

Karl Hartl, Käthe Lambert (novel),

Stars:

Gustav Fröhlich, Cornell Borchers, Edith Mill

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gustav Fröhlich	...	Dr. Peter Haidt
Cornell Borchers	...	Dr. Elisabeth Keller
Edith Mill	...	Oberschwester Hedwig
Viktor Staal	...	Willi Kuschitzky
Hansi Knoteck	...	Else Kuschitzky
Judith Holzmeister	...	Inge Jolander
Curd Jürgens	...	Axel Jolander
Gertrud Kückelmann	...	Christine
Edith Schultze-Westrum	...	Josepha Spratt
Petra Unkel	...	Grit Harlacher
Elfriede Kuzmany	...	Frau Frey
Paula Braend	...	Frau Wilk
Claire Reigbert	...	Schwester Sophie
Franz Muxeneder	...	Hense
Erich Ponto	...	Geheimrat Merk

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

doctor | nurse | hospital | baby | based on novel

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

12 September 1952 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

House of Life

Filming Locations:

Geiselgasteig, Bavaria, Germany

Company Credits

Production Co:

Helios-Filmproduktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Tales from Maternity Ward

This melodrama seems to be targeted at a female audience. Before the background of a well-equipped maternity hospital, the dramas of five patients as well as two doctors are quite artfully interwoven. I've never before seen so many scenes with doctors and nurses.

As a welcome contrast to all the white uniforms, one (initially reluctant) father is steam locomotive engineer, and we get to see him and his fireman sidekick at work for some scenes. Curd Jürgens has a small part as opera singer, with not much depth.

Even though this kind of "demi-gods in white" movie is not my cup of tea normally, I liked the earnest and credible acting by most, the occasional attempts at comedy less so. All in all, a nice one.