The Girl in White

I loved this movie. June A. gives a great performance of the underdog female fighting for her dream despite the obstructive male bastion of turn of the century medicine. I was especially moved by the wonderful actress who played Dr. Yoman. She performed the role with a demure yet powerful presence. She is also one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen on film. It is she who carries the day for June and all her gender. Sadly, I never heard of her before. I hope to find other work she has done through IMDb. What else made this film? No raw sex, no violence, no gruesome scenes, just a great story that makes you feel good in the end.Wasn't a young James Arness fine as the burley tattooed sailor with the dislocated shoulder? Mothers: show this film to your daughters.

What can I say about June Allyson, that hasn't been said, not much. I have enjoyed here work for many many years, when ever I see her photo I think to myself "high bar-ber-ree," and Van Johnson. This movies tells the story of a Woman's struggle to be a doctor in a male dominated field, but she handles herself very well, and truly makes her point. No, no, no, no blood, not a drop, and you can use the four letter words in this movie, in church, but it is not dry, no, no, no. Have to mention the scenes of the good doctor and the nurses trying to sober up a man who has a little too much of the creature, it is funny. Young Women, from pre-teens up, can get a boost from this movie, and have them feeling like they can make it, which ain't bad. Don't kiss of this movie guys, you may like it as much as I, she is very cute, and the way she works around things is masterful at times.

Well worth the price of rental/buy, give it a chance.

This is a fairly accurate re-telling of the Emily Dunning story. She was a turn of the century doctor, and being a woman doctor, therefore treated like a freak, or publicity hound. Sadly, the tale is always the same: woman/minority enters field dominated by white males and is mistreated and pressured to quit. Dunning was a doctor decades before women were given the right to vote! And she didn't just deliver babies, she was out on ambulance calls day and night. Quite an impressive figure, but June Allyson (reminding me of a more winsome version of ER's Maura Tierney) is only adequate as Dunning. The film has its moments, yet the struggles Dunning truly incurred in overcoming the male doctor establishment and public attitude is only moderately presented here. It's as if the male dominated film-making establishment didn't want their doctor counterparts to look too bigoted. And much of the film is devoted to Allyson's relationship with Arthur Kennedy (Dr. Barringer -- in real life became her husband). Once again, the filmmakers are more concerned with stressing the standard woman-as-love-interest-only angle. It also starts to slow down in the second half, unfortunately. But this is the only film covering Dunning's interesting story so it's worth looking at at least for that reason.

June Allyson plays Emily Dunning, a girl who decides to become a doctor after being mentored by Dr. Marie Yeomans, (played by Mildred Dunnock) a pioneering woman doctor who was much respected for her medical books, but unable to practice except in the poorer neighborhoods because, well, she was a woman. Miss Dunning does well in school, and is passed over. She comes in second in the qualifying exam, but is denied an intern's position, until Miss Dunnock threatens to make the results public. At first everyone is against her, but gradually she wins the respect of the hospital's chief, Gary Merrill.

Based on Dr. Dunning's reminiscences, it did poorly at the box office, probably because of its unrelentingly serious and sentimental tone under the direction of John Sturges. Other performers of note include Arthur Kennedy as a fellow physician who wants to marry her, but doesn't want her to practice; Jesse White as the ambulance driver who seems her only support until the nurses -- women all -- who support her quietly, and Herbert Anderson.

Emily Dunning was a determined young woman when she decided to go into the medical field. What attracted her to this area of science was a role model she met during a family crisis involving her mother at their arrival in New York. When the mother collapsed, she goes out trying to get help, but there are no physicians in the neighborhood, except the kind Dr. Yeomans, a woman doctor, who not only treats her mother, but is instrumental in inspiring young Emily to follow in her foot steps.

This story takes place at the end of the XIX century, when women were a rarity in pursuing a medical career. The determined Emily Dunning enters Cornell, where she is the only female in the class. All the male students realize she is in because the love of medicine, but they are not too kind to her. The handsome Ben Barringer is the only one that seems taken by Emily.

When Emily is ready for her internship, she is accepted by a New York hospital. The head of the department makes it clear about his feelings toward a woman in the hospital and gives her the worst assignments. Dr. Dunning accepts what's given to her until she proves herself to be an asset to the institution that has been unkind to her. After an outbreak of typhoid fever, Dr. Yeomans comes to the hospital to help and the two women are reunited. Dr. Barringer confesses his love for Emily as he is leaving for Paris on a research trip.

This biopic was presented recently by TCM. The movie, rarely seen these days, should be seen more often because director John Sturges' inspired take on the life of a woman who overcame all odds against her. June Allyson plays Emily Dunning with her usual spunk, given the subject matter a great reading. Arthur Kennedy also did an excellent job as Ben Barringer. Gary Merrill, Mildred Dunnock are seen in supporting roles.