Arrowsmith (1931)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

John Ford

Writers:

Sinclair Lewis (novel)
Sidney Howard (adaptation)

Release Date:

26 December 1931 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Based on Sinclair Lewis's novel "Arrowsmith". A medical researcher is sent to a plague outbreak, where he has to decide priorities for the use of a vaccine.

Plot Keywords:

Vaccine | Medical | Plague | West Indies | Diphtheria

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars.

Cast

Ronald Colman	...	Dr. Martin Arrowsmith
Helen Hayes	...	Leora Arrowsmith
Richard Bennett	...	Gustav Sondelius
A.E. Anson	...	Professor Max Gottlieb
Clarence Brooks	...	Oliver Marchand
Alec B. Francis	...	Twyford (as Alec Francis)
Claude King	...	Dr. Tubbs
Bert Roach	...	Bert Tozer
Myrna Loy	...	Mrs. Joyce Lanyon
Russell Hopton	...	Terry Wickett
David Landau	...	State Veterinarian
Lumsden Hare	...	Sir Robert Fairland - Governor

Runtime:

108 min | USA:99 min (TCM print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Italian | Swedish

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G | USA:Approved (PCA #1037, 5 July 1935 for re-release) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-PG (TV rating)

Company:

Howard Productions

Trivia:

The first American sound film to feature a black character ("Dr. Oliver Marchand" played by Clarence Brooks) with a university degree who speaks perfect English, does not shuffle, and does not act in the usual stereotypical manner in which blacks were depicted in Hollywood films at the time.

Quotes:

Dr. Martin Arrowsmith: If I had a twin sister, I think she'd be rather like you. That's how you strike me.
Mrs. Joyce Lanyon: That's an original compliment.
Dr. Martin Arrowsmith: That's no compliment, it's a scientific fact.

Movie Connections:

Version of "Arrowsmith" (1999)

Soundtrack:

William Tell Overture

Early Ford

Arrowsmith (1931)

*** (out of 4)

John Ford's adaptation of Sinclair Lewis' novel about a young doctor (Ronald Coleman) who constantly fears that he's not as good as everyone says. The doctor keeps struggling with his duties to his profession as well as his duties to his wife (Helen Hayes). I wasn't expecting too much out of this film but was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it even with all of its flaws. Ford's direction is fairly weak as he never really brings any flair to the material but this is made up with some terrific performances. Coleman steals the film and really delivers all the goods as he's able to show the frustrations of a doctor trying to do the right thing for everyone. Hayes is also very good in her supporting role as is the supporting cast, which includes Richard Bennett, A.E. Anson and Myrna Loy.