Watch That Mothers Might Live (1938) Online!

That Mothers Might Live is a 1938 American short drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann. The short is a brief account of Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis and his discovery of the need for cleanliness in 19th-century maternity wards, thereby significantly decreasing maternal mortality, and of his struggle to gain acceptance of his idea. Although Semmelweis ultimately failed in his lifetime, later scientific luminaries advanced his work in spirit like microbiologist Louis Pasteur, who provided a scientific theoretical explanation of Semmelweis' observations by helping develop the germ theory of disease and the British surgeon, Dr. Joseph Lister who revolutionized medicine putting Pasteur's research to practical use. In 1939, at the 11th Academy Awards, the film won an Oscar for Best Short Subject (One-Reel).

Directing:
  • Fred Zinnemann

Writing:
  • Herman Boxer

Stars:
Release Date: 1938-04-30
themoviedb icon 5.5/10
  • Country: US
  • Language: English
  • Runtime: 10
William Bailey
William Baile...
Passerby (uncredited)
Shepperd Strudwick
Shepperd Stru...
Dr. Semmelweis
John Nesbitt
John Nesbitt
Narrator (voice)
Rudolph Anders
Rudolph Ander...
Doctor (uncredited)
King Baggot
King Baggot
Passerby (uncredited)
Barbara Bedford
Barbara Bedfo...
Nun Reading Book (uncredited)
Mary Howard
Mary Howard
Young Stricken Mother (uncredited)
Leonard Penn
Leonard Penn
Semmelweis' Assistant (uncredited)
Beatrice Roberts
Beatrice Robe...
Passerby (uncredited)
Edward Van Sloan
Edward Van Sl...
Hospital Chief of Staff (uncredited)
E. Alyn Warren
E. Alyn Warre...
Professor (uncredited)
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