Life Begins (1932)
1h 11m | PG-13
A day in the maternity ward from the lens of accepted morals and medical attitudes of 1932. The ward includes women from all walks of life and situations.
Director: James Flood
Studio: First National Pictures
Genre: Drama
Video: 720p
Cast
Loretta Young
as Grace Sutton
Eric Linden
as Jed Sutton
Aline MacMahon
as Miss Bowers
Glenda Farrell
as Florette
Clara Blandick
as Mrs. West
Preston Foster
as Dr. Brett
Reviews
This film provides a window into life of 1932 as viewed from a higher-risk maternity ward. These were the days when surgery was much more dangerous, where ether ruled and the risk of infection was high (penicillin wasn't in widespread use for another 10 years). The expectant mothers in the ward come from all walks of the working-class life: a woman about to deliver her fifth child, an Italian, a proud "modern woman" (single), a nightclub singer and a convicted murderer. A film worth watching.