Four Girls in White

In the 1939 film Four Girls in White, director S. Sylvan Simon brings the trials and tribulations of four aspiring nurses to life on the silver screen. Florence Rice, Una Merkel, Ann Rutherford, and Mary Howard play the lead roles in this dramatic and beautiful classic, embodying four young women from diverse backgrounds who find themselves navigating the world of healthcare amid personal challenges and societal expectations.

The film begins as the four protagonists, Norma Page (Florence Rice), Patricia Page (Ann Rutherford), Mary Forbes (Una Merkel), and Joyce Kingston (Mary Howard) come together at nursing school where they will be trained for their chosen careers. Each of the women brings a unique flavor to the narrative, with their personal backgrounds and individual ideologies adding layers to their characters and enhancing the depth of their camaraderie and dynamics.

Norma Page, the dedicated and hardworking daughter of a successful surgeon, is determined to follow in her father’s footsteps. However, she must overcome significant personal obstacles as she struggles to get along with the strict head nurse and the rigors of the professional atmosphere.

Una Merkel's character, Mary Forbes, brings comic relief with her quirky personality and her unique approach to nursing, while perfectly showcasing determination and perseverance. Mary, an older unmarried woman driven by ambition, tackles societal dictates by following her dreams against all odds.

Ann Rutherford’s character, Patricia Page, normally known for her vivacious performances in previous roles, portrays a woman battling personal complications, with an estranged relationship with her sister proving to be a stressful aspect of her life journey.

The fourth protagonist, Joyce Kingston portrayed by Mary Howard, is a wealthy socialite who makes an immature decision to pursue nursing due to a disappointing love life. She thus experiences deliberate contrast to the unexpected demands and challenges of the career.

The overall narrative of Four Girls in White presents a riveting and intriguing view into the lives of these four young women as they juggle personal problems and career demands in their quest to become professional nurses. The portrayal of the medical profession, strongly marked by organized chaos, late-night shifts, strict hierarchy, and its undaunted demand for dedication and compassion make Four Girls in White a compelling movie that focuses on an often overlooked perspective on 1930s society.

Director S. Sylvan Simon’s treatment of the storyline ensures that Four Girls in White is not just a stark representation of the nursing profession, but also a beacon of female empowerment and perseverance in the face of adversity. The contrast between the light-heartedness of youth and the maturity required of a profession such as nursing is wonderfully executed in the film.

While the central theme largely focuses on nursing as a profession, the movie does not shy away from adding an element of romance, friendship, and sisterhood, creating an intricate mesh of a wide range of human emotions and experiences.

The performances by the leading ladies of the film are spirited, and their relationships with each other within the movie are convincingly portrayed, with audiences witnessing how they grow from strangers to friends, with conflicts and resolutions occurring along the way.

Despite being made during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the film doesn't flinch from tackling the complexities of professional dedication, pragmatic realities, and emotional intensity, making the narrative progressive and powerful. In the process, it weaves a heartening tale of kinship and ambition conquering all obstacles.

In summary, Four Girls in White represents more than just a peek into a profession; it is a profoundly moving tale of determination, friendship, personal growth, and resilience set against the backdrop of a bustling hospital. This 1939 classic is an authentic representation of its time, yet its themes and messages are still relatable and inspiring today. A must-watch for classic cinema aficionados and those in the healthcare profession, it offers a timeless portrayal of the trials and triumphs of those within a noble and demanding vocation.