Medical drama set at one of New York City's hospitals during the early 1960s.Medical drama set at one of New York City's hospitals during the early 1960s.Medical drama set at one of New York City's hospitals during the early 1960s.
- Awards
- 1 win
- Dr. Lucy Grainger
- (as Aline Mac Mahon)
- Physician
- (as Nora Helen Spens M.D.)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAlthough shot in academy 1.37:1 aspect ratio (for later television airing) the theatrical -- or *intended* (by the studio, producer, director and/or cinematographer) -- aspect ratio of this film is 1.85:1 widescreen. Most modern 16x9 (1.77:1) televisions have a "zoom to width" picture option, essentially allowing the viewer to see the film as the director and cinematographer originally planned. It is easy to spot films shot this way since all the titles and credits will still fit when properly cropped (they stay in the "middle" of the frame vertically), and there is an unusual amount of "headroom" above the actors in medium and close-up shots when viewed uncropped. Quite often "mistakes" -- like seeing equipment in the top or bottom of the uncropped frame -- would never have been seen by a theater audience.
- GoofsThe taxi first shown hurrying Dick Clark and his pregnant wife to the hospital is a 1959 model Ford. The taxi they arrive in a 1960 Ford, a distinctly different looking model.
- Quotes
Dr. Joseph Pearson: You often hear people ask what does a pathologist do? Never hear anyone ask what surgeons do. Perhaps we all know what surgeons do. Well, a pathologist is the one who examines the surgeon's mistakes when it's too late. He's the doctor the patient seldom sees, doesn't want to. Yet, few departments in the hospital have more effect in the patient's welfare. It is pathology which advises the patient's physician on disease. Sometimes when all else fails, it is the pathologist who makes the final diagnosis.
- Crazy creditsThis film is dedicated to the medical profession for its constant and devoted service to mankind.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Hilde (2009)
The film is set in an hospital, with Fredric March as Dr. Pearson, the head pathologist that has many years of experience and teaches the job to the young students. Meanwhile arrives the new assistant, Dr. Coleman (played by Ben Gazzara) and tries to convince Pearson to use new and innovative medical strategies. But soon, they have a clash of ideas thanks to two serious cases.
I have to agree with user bkoganbing: medical dramas are sometimes similar to courtroom dramas because they both deal with life and death issues. The uniqueness of the movie is that is set in the Pathology lab, a rarely seen part of the hospital.
The cast is maybe one of the best ensemble cast ever found in a medical drama. Fredric March and Ben Gazzara shine as the two main characters, two doctors that after clashes they turn to be very human, and in the end they respect each other. Ina Balin (in the same year of THE COMANCHEROS) is a young nurse that has also a severe medical condition, and falls for Gazzara's character. Dick Clark stars as a young medic with a pregnant wife that battles to keep the baby alive.
But the real standout in the movie is Eddie Albert in his most underrated performance: as doctor Dornberger, the pediatrician that saves Dick Clark's newborn son. You can see all of Albert's seriousness and dedication in the job by the sweat crawling in his skin. And he succeds in saving the baby and making him take his first steps in the world.
In the cast also Edward Andrews as another doctor, George Segal (in his debut) as March's assistant and Aline McMahon as March's friend.
Still, this is a truly unique and pleasant movie (although forgotten nowadays) that also kept my interest until the end.
- bellino-angelo2014
- Sep 13, 2018
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- No Deadly Machine
- Filming locations
- Vassar Brothers Hospital, Poughkeepsie, New York, USA(hospital location)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $1,000,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 40 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1