Night Nurse (1931)

A nurse enlists the help of a petty criminal to foil a sinister plot to murder two children.

Director:

William A. Wellman

Writers:

Grace Perkins (from the novel by) (as Dora Macy), Oliver H.P. Garrett (screenplay)

Stars:

Barbara Stanwyck, Ben Lyon, Joan Blondell

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Barbara Stanwyck	...	Lora Hart
Ben Lyon	...	Mortie
Joan Blondell	...	Maloney
Clark Gable	...	Nick
Blanche Friderici	...	Mrs. Maxwell (as Blanche Frederici)
Charlotte Merriam	...	Mrs. Ritchey
Charles Winninger	...	Dr. Bell
Edward J. Nugent	...	Eagan (as Edward Nugent)
Vera Lewis	...	Miss Dillon
Ralf Harolde	...	Dr. Milton Ranger
Walter McGrail	...	The Drunk

Storyline

Lora Hart manages to land a job in a hospital as a trainee nurse. Upon completion of her training she goes to work as a night nurse for two small children who seem to be very sick, but something much more sinister is going on.

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Plot Keywords:

woman punches a man | man punches a woman | knocked unconscious | undressing | friendship between women | 

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Taglines:

Tells the Naked Truth About Happenings in the Dead of Night! (Print Ad- Schenectady Gazette, ((Schenectady NY)) 24 August 1931)

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Mystery

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Did You Know?

Trivia

James Cagney was originally supposed to play Nick, but when The Public Enemy (1931) became a big hit, it was decided that he should no longer be relegated to supporting roles, allowing the relatively unknown Clark Gable to step in instead.

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Goofs

When Lora holds up the thank you note from Mortie, the position of her hands completely changes between the closeup of the note and the shot of Lora holding it.

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Quotes

Mrs. Maxwell: [desperately pleading for the last time] Can't we try giving her a milk bath? My sister saved her own child that way.
Lora Hart: [grumbles in frustration] Oh I suppose it's worth a try. But I need milk, 10, 12, 15 quarts! Say Bootlegger, can you get that?
Mortie: Well... where do you buy milk?
Lora Hart: In the grocery, a delicatessen!

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Connections

Featured in Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood (2008)

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Soundtracks

Dinah
(1925) (uncredited)
Music by Harry Akst
Played as dance music at the party

User Reviews

The Milk Bath, the Murphy Drip and Ethics! Ethics! Ethics!

Anyone who thought exploitation movies were invented in the 1960s will know better after having watched Night Nurse. It's a strange mix of comedy, drama and mild sleaze. The story is pretty weak but for fans of Barbara Stanwyck this is an absolute must see. Her performance is very energetic (aggressively shoving her face very close to that of other people, punching big guys, hurtling bottles of champagne around etc.) and she really comes through as a sensuous – albeit tough as nails - nurse. For some time she must wear a tiny band aid on her chin which makes her even more attractive. Joan Blondell is also great as her gum chewing friend, setting the standard for vulgarity. The movie basically deals with the ethics of the medical profession which is treated with amazing cynicism.

The highlight for me was the conversation between the excited Stanwyck character and an older Pappy-type doctor. The nurse suspects foul play in a particular medical case and Pappy tries to calm her down with sensible arguments. The nurse quickly loses her patience and her temper, shouting. „Aw, ethics, ethics, ethics! I'm through with ethics!" It's really a well played scene which brings the character and temperament of the nurse to the fore and reflects the atmosphere of the whole movie. I also liked the unethical doctor with his facial twist and snazzy uniform which must have influenced people who created the wardrobe for Starship Enterprise. His big office has very elegant Art Deco trappings and is in stark contrast to the rather cramped conditions in the ethically operated hospital shown in this movie.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Cantonese

Release Date:

8 August 1931 (USA)

Also Known As:

En natsygeplejerskes oplevelser

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$260,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

72 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1