Night Call Nurses

Night Call Nurses is a 1972 American exploitation film that stands as a wildly entertaining and somewhat quirky cinematic piece from director Jonathan Kaplan. Produced by Roger Corman and distributed by New World Pictures, this movie fits into the famed nurse cycle films that characterized the early 1970s. As the title suggests, Night Call Nurses is a colorful and dramatic narrative that delves into the experiences of three vivacious young nurses working the night shift in a tense, pressure-packed hospital setting.

This film begins its story under ostensible calm and order in a Los Angeles hospital. However, as each scene unfolds, the story transforms into a whirlwind of romantic entanglements, dangerous escapades, and deep self-discovery. Our central characters, played by Patty Byrne, Alana Stewart, and Mittie Lawrence, are three young, dedicated professionals, each navigating the labyrinth of their careers and personal lives amidst the backdrop of life and death perils.

Patty Byrne plays Spring, an effervescent and kind-hearted nurse embroiled in a toxic relationship with a motorcycle-riding bad boy. Her role offers an exploration into the strains and dynamics between rebellious youth culture and institutionally bound professionals in 1970s America. Pairing her nurturing instincts with a hard-hitting resolve, Spring’s character arc is all about overcoming resistance and identifying love in its most authentic form.

Alana Stewart portrays Lola, a sensitive, introspective character who becomes entangled in a complex affair with an elusive playwright suffering from devastating hallucinations. Lola's arc navigates the cerebral aspects of the medical profession, illustrating how emotional investment can blur the boundaries between professional responsibility and personal entanglement.

Mittie Lawrence delivers a powerful performance as Janis, an African-American nurse grappling with racial tensions and societal issues while trying to maintain her commitment to her nursing profession. Her deep sense of empathy and her determination to fight against prejudice forms one of the most poignant narrative arcs in the film.

Direction-wise, the film flows smoothly with Kaplan successfully blending comedic elements, dramatic sequences, and titillating scenes – sometimes all at once! The quick-paced plot, interspersed with new angles and sub-plots in each scene, makes it an edge-of-the-seat experience without making the storytelling feel rushed or scattershot.

On the influencer side, Roger Corman's legendary touch as a producer is activity visible in the film. Corman, well-known in Hollywood as the king of B-grade exploitation cinema, ensures that 'Night Call Nurses' ticks all the boxes for an enticing combination of drama, humor, romance, action with an infusion of subtle social commentary. It’s worth noting that while overtly presenting as a titillating exploitation film, Night Call Nurses also subtly tackles significant social issues of the time, including racial discrimination, drug addiction, and mental health awareness.

Lastly, the film’s production and visual aesthetics speak volumes about the era it was made. The groovy costumes, the bustling atmosphere of the hospital, the street scenes – everything faithfully recreates the essence of early '70s urbanscapes. Moreover, the cinematography effectively exploits the visual contrasts between the sterile, brightly-lit hospital environment and the darkness of the outside world shadowed by societal issues. Furthermore, the musical score, featuring elements of jazz and pop that defined this era, adds to the authentic '70s vibe.

In closing, Night Call Nurses is an engaging mix of drama, comedy, social commentary, and romance. It takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, showcasing both the highs and lows, the thrills and perils of nurse life. Three stellar central performances by Patty Byrne, Alana Stewart, and Mittie Lawrence lend vitality to the narrative, simultaneously gripping your attention and tugging at your heartstrings. The film serves as an entertaining artifact from an era in Hollywood when exploitation films were undergoing a revolution, making it a worthwhile watch for fans of the genre and cinephiles alike.