Sister Kenny (1946)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Dudley Nichols

Writers:

Elizabeth Kenny (book)
Alexander Knox (screenplay)

Release Date:

10 October 1946 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Tagline:

A woman made for love . . . but whose service to humanity became her destiny!

Plot:

Elizabeth Kenny, as a young nurse out in the Australian bush discovers an effective treatment for polio...

Plot Keywords:

Polio | Medical | Based On Book | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win

Cast

Rosalind Russell	...	Sister Elizabeth Kenny
Alexander Knox	...	Dr. Aeneas McDonnell
Dean Jagger	...	Kevin Connors
Philip Merivale	...	Dr. Brack
Beulah Bondi	...	Mary Kenny
Charles Dingle	...	Michael Kenny
John Litel	...	Medical Director
Doreen McCann	...	Dorrie McIntyre
Fay Helm	...	Mrs. McIntyre
Charles Kemper	...	Mr. McIntyre
Dorothy Peterson	...	Agnes

Runtime:

116 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G | USA:Approved (certificate #11315)

Filming Locations:

RKO Studios - 780 Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Goofs:

Factual errors: Whilst addressing a forum of doctors, Sister Kenny is asked whether she remembers the final paragraph of the oath she took to become a registered nurse, and she recounts that paragraph. The real Sister Kenny received no formal nursing training and was not a registered nurse. She enlisted as a nurse in the army in WW1 backed by a letter from a doctor stating she had experience working in a bush hospital and was given the title Sister by the army.

A must see biographical movie

Set during Field Marshal von Hindenburg's time, the story centres around a dedicated nurse, Rosalind Russell. She continually tries to help the suffering of paralyzed children but has to overcome the obstacles of a narrow minded, bureaucratic medical establishment which refuses to recognize her unique treatment for the children. In the absence of official sanction from the medical establishment, she is ridiculed and threatened with legal action if she continues using her treatment. All this she has endured instead of getting married and leading a happy normal life. One cannot help but admire her dedication and personal sacrifice. Justice triumphs in the end and the numerous children she has helped eventually wish her well on her birthday. This is the ultimate satisfying reward for 20 years of hardship, dedication and sacrifice. Actors Dean Jagger and Alexander Knox provide excellent character and depth to Russell's role. On a scale of 1 to 10 stars, I give this movie 8.