Vigil in the Night

Carole Lombard ,who at the time sadly had only two more years to live ,shines in her part of a devoted nurse,who gives it all;the first part of the movie is a bit boring,but halfway through it hits its stride ,grabs you and does not leave you till the last pictures ,which avoid the traditional mushy happy end:a nurse's work is never done.

Because "vigil in the night" is primarily,essentially ,a tribute to the nurses in England,a tribute to their admirable work,to their courage when they cure infectious patients ,to their war which is never over:for a measly salary (a nurse says) and only half a day off (at best!);today the nurses condition has improved,but their work is not yet given the credit they deserve ,so "vigil" is still relevant in 2012.The scene of the artificial respiration (by Lucy)has got something of Frank Borzage .Most of all ,in the last scenes,George Stevens makes us feel the camaraderie,the solidarity between the nurses.

Enjoyed reading A.J.Cronin's books and this film was a big favorite with people in the 1940's and will continue to be for many generations to come. Carol Lombard, (Anne Lee) was type cast as a pretty actress who was well known for her roles in comedy and this film showed the film industry she was capable of being a great dramatic actress which she was in this film. This film portrays the conditions which nurses had to do years ago in England and it is a rather sad film but a very down to earth one. Anne Lee takes the blame for her sister Lucy Lee, (Anne Shirley) for causing a young boy to die because of negligence of her duties. These sisters were both studying to become nurses and Anne already had her certificate to practice. Anne has a very rough life in this story and for some reason she always manages to stand by her sister no matter what trouble she gets into. This is a must see enjoyable Classic Film.

1940's "Vigil in the Night" was a dramatic departure for comedic actress Carole Lombard, in a serious performance that never descends into cliché. Anne Lee (Lombard) is a conscientious nurse dedicated to duty, yet accepts blame for the death of a little boy who perished while her derelict younger sister Lucy (Anne Shirley) was off making tea. Joe Shand (Peter Cushing) is in love with Anne, who refuses his marriage proposal, and finds employment at another hospital, where she hopes her sister will eventually join her once she earns her certificate. Instead, Lucy impulsively marries Joe and moves to London, where they have a falling out, Lucy again finding trouble while Anne loyally stands by her. Brian Aherne is fine as a doctor who falls for Anne, and special mention must go to Ethel Griffies' eccentric performance as head matron. This was only Peter Cushing's third feature, and while his six minutes on screen are on par with the other films he made in those two years in Hollywood, he shares the screen with Lombard in all four, and earned some critical notice as well, one reviewer even comparing him to Spencer Tracy.

I use this film to discuss nursing history. It is pre-antibiotics, so there has to be good nursing care and sterile technique for folks to survive. Plus this movie has it all - terribly sick children, a hokey doctor-nurse romance, and several dramatic scenes you don't get these days, like a bus wreck! The scene in the operating room is pretty interesting too - it makes one realize that an appendectomy was once a life threatening procedure. Overall, it is always fun to have students watch it and learn from growth of the profession and the science. It is so sad that Carole Lombard died so young - she had the potential to be a magnificent dramatic actress. Peg Farrar

Dedicated and conscientious nurse Anne Lee (Carole Lombard) and her younger sister Lucy (Anne Shirley) are both nurses at the same hospital. When a little boy dies due to Lucy's negligence, Anne takes the blame and is promptly fired. She manages to find work at another hospital, where she quickly earns the respect of her superiors and also finds love with a doctor (Brian Aherne). But she must endure many more problems, including an amorous hospital benefactor and a nurse from her previous post who knows all about why she was discharged.

Fine showcase for Lombard's dramatic talents, which are often overlooked because she was such a great comedienne. The cast backing her up helps keep this from descending into hokum, which it easily could have. Brian Aherne is great, as is beautiful Anne Shirley. Brenda Forbes lightens things up as a comic relief nurse. Early role for Peter Cushing. It's really an exceptional film. The kind we're probably too cynical to make anymore. Lombard fans will eat it up. Nurses should like it, as well, since it's ultimately all about admiration for their profession.