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Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet

  • 1940
  • Approved
  • 1h 43m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
1.7K
YOUR RATING
Edward G. Robinson in 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.
Play trailer2:03
1 Video
8 Photos
BiographyDrama

True story of the doctor who considered it was not immoral to search for a drug that would cure syphillis.True story of the doctor who considered it was not immoral to search for a drug that would cure syphillis.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
    • Heinz Herald
    • Norman Burnstine
  • Stars
    • Edward G. Robinson
    • Ruth Gordon
    • Otto Kruger
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    1.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • William Dieterle
    • Writers
      • John Huston
      • Heinz Herald
      • Norman Burnstine
    • Stars
      • Edward G. Robinson
      • Ruth Gordon
      • Otto Kruger
    • 43User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:03
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos8

    Edward G. Robinson in Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940)
    Edward G. Robinson in Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940)
    Wilfred Hari in Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940)
    Sig Ruman in Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940)
    Edward G. Robinson in Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940)
    Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940)
    Wilfred Hari and Otto Kruger in Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Edward G. Robinson
    Edward G. Robinson
    • Dr. Paul Ehrlich
    Ruth Gordon
    Ruth Gordon
    • Mrs. Ehrlich
    Otto Kruger
    Otto Kruger
    • Dr. Emil Von Behring
    Donald Crisp
    Donald Crisp
    • Minister Althoff
    Maria Ouspenskaya
    Maria Ouspenskaya
    • Franziska Speyer
    Montagu Love
    Montagu Love
    • Prof. Hartmann
    Sig Ruman
    Sig Ruman
    • Dr. Hans Wolfert
    • (as Sig Rumann)
    Donald Meek
    Donald Meek
    • Mittelmeyer
    Henry O'Neill
    Henry O'Neill
    • Dr. Lentz
    Albert Bassermann
    Albert Bassermann
    • Dr. Robert Koch
    Edward Norris
    Edward Norris
    • Dr. Morgenroth
    Harry Davenport
    Harry Davenport
    • Judge
    Louis Calhern
    Louis Calhern
    • Dr. Brockdorf
    Louis Jean Heydt
    Louis Jean Heydt
    • Dr. Kunze
    Charles Halton
    Charles Halton
    • Sensenbrenner
    Irving Bacon
    Irving Bacon
    • Becker
    Douglas Wood
    Douglas Wood
    • Speidler
    Theodore von Eltz
    Theodore von Eltz
    • Dr. Kraus
    • (as Theodore Von Eltz)
    • Director
      • William Dieterle
    • Writers
      • John Huston
      • Heinz Herald
      • Norman Burnstine
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Dr. Paul Ehrlich's family was so happy with Edward G. Robinson's portrayal of him that they gave Robinson a letter written by Dr. Ehrlich.
    • 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."
    • 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.

    • Connections
      Featured in Magic Bullets (1943)
    • Soundtracks
      Wein, Weib und Gesang, Op. 333 (Wine, Women and Song)
      (1869) (uncredited)

      Music by Johann Strauss

      Played when Paul and Hedy dance

    User reviews43

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Excellent story about medical discovery
    I saw this movie a few times, years ago when they had a lot of old movies on TV (pre-cable). There is much more in it than the cure for syphilis.

    Dr. Ehrlich also discovered some amazing new ideas: dye for viewing bacterial slides and identifying those germs; the process of vaccination as a prevention against disease and the difficulty in changing the views of the medical community even with valid & objective scientific evidence.

    Edward G. Robinson did an excellent job and the portrayal is artfully and humanely done as a early medical pioneer. The scientific discoveries may seem too banal for today's average person but the work was a milestone in medical science.
    helpful•7
    1
    • tanstaafl2004
    • Sep 28, 2005

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    FAQ1

    • Where can I purchase this movie online?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 2, 1940 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Paul Ehrlich - Ein Leben für die Forschung
    • Filming locations
      • Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Warner Bros.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $205
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 43 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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