White Corridors (1951)

Hospital drama set at the Yeoman's Hospital, in the English Midlands, during the early 1950s.

Director:

Pat Jackson

Writers:

Helen Ashton (novel), Pat Jackson (screenplay)

Stars:

Googie Withers, James Donald, Godfrey Tearle

Nominated for 2 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Googie Withers	...	Dr. Sophie Dean
James Donald	...	Neil Marriner
Godfrey Tearle	...	Mr. Groom Sr.
Petula Clark	...	Joan Shepherd
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jean Anderson	...	Sister Gater
Timothy Bateson	...	Dr. Cook
Deidre Doyle	...	Patient
Fabia Drake	...	Miss Farmer
Henry Edwards	...	Phillip Brewster
Lyn Evans	...	Pedlar
Grace Gavin	...	Sister Abbott
Helen Harvey	...	Nurse Miller
Gerard Heinz	...	Dr. Macuzek
H.S. Hills	...	Tranter
Mary Hinton	...	Matron

Storyline

The scene is Yeoman's Hospital, set in the English Midlands, soon after the NHS was founded. Sophie Dean, a young and gifted surgeon, is torn between her love for pathologist Dr Neil Mariner, and a prestigous post in London. Mariner's research is on penicillin-resistant infection, and whilst drawing blood from a young boy with septicaemia, he inadvertently infects himself. The boy dies, and Neil becomes seriously ill - his experimental serum might save him, and he asks Sophie to give him the serum if there is no other hope - but if she does,she could be charged with manslaughter if Neil dies. Fortunately he is saved, and Sophie decides her future is with Neil. The film is by turns humorous, moving and dramatic with superb attention to detail. It is the archetype of medical dramas right up to the present day.

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Plot Keywords:

british noir | medical research | england | based on novel | hospital | 

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Taglines:

Into a world the patients never see ...

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Genres:

Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The last film of Basil Radford.

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Quotes

Neil Marriner: You talk as if the only people worth curing were in London.

User Reviews

Excellent film

As a Petula Clark fan I was interested to see this movie,and having watched it a few times now even if Petula wasn't in it,I would say it is an excellent British movie of its era ,and paved the way for British hospital TV dramas such as Emergency Ward Ten in the 60's through to "Casualty" in the 21st century. The acting by the whole cast is superb ,and I would love to see this movie on DVD and hope that one day it will get the recognition it deserves. Googie Withers is a very under-rated actress and plays her part to perfection,and great to see many good performances from James Donald,Moira Lister,and Jean Anderson. This film rarely gets shown on TV so write in to your TV stations to get it shown!

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 October 1951 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Serum 703

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Vic Films Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1