The Girl in White

Based on the memoirs of her character Ann Dunning Barringer, June Allyson gets to play a woman doctor at a time when there weren't too many. The time of the turn of the last century is captured very well.

Her own role model is that of Mildred Dunnock also a physician of the female gender who has had to be most discreet in order to earn a living in the medical profession. Allyson is not about discretion.

In fact as Allyson becomes a hero to the nurses in and around 1900 it wasn't that long ago that Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton opened the nursing profession for women. For them Allyson is dreaming the impossible dream.

The men in her life include Arthur Kennedy whom she breaks things off with because he a doctor wants his woman home with supper on the table and her supervisor Gary Merrill who also thinks there are men doctors and women nurses and the twain shall not meet. A man who believes in specific gender roles.

The Girl In White has a fine ensemble cast who give great support to Allyson who must have been grateful to get away from girl next door roles.

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.

What I liked most is that this movie's based on the life of Dr. Emily Dunning Barringer, so they have to give this biopic a dose of realism. So, the story doesn't go over-the-top with the man vs. Woman/career vs. Homemaker thing and comes across as genuine.

It was also nice to see June Allyson in a role that wasn't either the ingenue or the good wife.

The early 20th century wasn't an easy time for a woman doctor, though many (like Dr. Barringer) were willing to put up with whatever was thrown their way, in order to practice medicine.

Some of the opposition was unbelievable, like when Dr. Seth Pawling (Gary Merrill) is reluctant to hire her, despite her having graduated third in her med school class! He insists women don't have what it takes to be good doctors, though she soon proves him wrong!

She does a great job, first on ambulance duty, later saving a life despaired of, and then during a typhoid epidemic.

She has some clashes with Ben Barringer, (Arthur Kennedy) the doctor she loves, with both making sacrifices, both for their careers and for each other, which sets the stage for their future together.

I've said enough and won't give away more. Just check it out, as it's worth it.

It's the turn of the century New York City. Emily Dunning (June Allyson) is taken with Dr. Marie Yeomans who saved her mother's life. Yeomans is an established doctor who still faces sexist treatment all the time. She helps Emily get into Cornell medical school. Fellow student Ben Barringer falls for Emily and proposes to her but he's still holding onto old fashion ideals.

It's a female empowerment biopic. The premise is straight forward. For me, the most compelling may be the horse drawn ambulance. I don't think I've seen one of those in any movie. Sure, the movie is not about the ambulance but I find it great fun thrills. All in all, it's a solid well-acted standard biopic.

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.