Night Nurse (1931 film)

Night Nurse 1931 Poster

Night Nurse is a 1931 American pre-Code crime film directed by William A. Wellman and starring Barbara Stanwyck, Ben Lyon, and Clark Gable. The film is based on the 1930 novel of the same name by Dora Macy, a pseudonym for Grace Perkins. It follows the story of a young woman, Lora Hart, who becomes a nurse and uncovers a deadly plot involving the malnutrition of two young children in her care.

Plot

Lora Hart, after managing to become a nurse, is assigned to the night shift in a hospital. She befriends her roommate, Maloney, and together they navigate the challenges of the nursing profession. Lora is later assigned to private care duty for two sickly children of a wealthy family. She soon discovers that the children are being deliberately starved to allow a nefarious doctor and the children's stepmother to get their hands on the family's fortune. With the help of a bootlegger named Mortie, Lora fights to save the children and expose the plot.

Cast

• Barbara Stanwyck as Lora Hart
• Ben Lyon as Mortie
• Clark Gable as Nick, the chauffeur
• Joan Blondell as Maloney
• Charles Winninger as Dr. Arthur Bell
• Edward J. Nugent as Eagan
• Vera Lewis as Mrs. Maxwell
• Ralf Harolde as Dr. Milton Ranger

Production

Directed by William A. Wellman, Night Nurse is noted for its gritty portrayal of the nursing profession and the corruption within the child welfare system during the Great Depression. The film's pre-Code status allowed it to explore themes and content that would later be deemed inappropriate under the stricter enforcement of the Hays Code in the mid-1930s.

Reception

Upon its release, Night Nurse received positive reviews for its bold subject matter and Stanwyck's performance. It has since been recognized as a classic example of pre-Code Hollywood cinema, with particular attention to its critique of societal issues and the use of sexual innuendo.

Legacy

Night Nurse has been praised for its ahead-of-its-time commentary on social issues and its strong female protagonist. The film is often cited in discussions of pre-Code Hollywood films and is considered an important work in the careers of Barbara Stanwyck and Clark Gable.