The Fight for Life

Top 8 Billed Cast

Myron McCormick
Myron McCormick

Dr. O’Donnell

Storrs Haynes
Storrs Haynes

Hanson

Will Geer
Will Geer

Ballou

Dudley Digges
Dudley Digges

Chefarzt

Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie

Dorothy Adams
Dorothy Adams

The Young Woman

Dorothy Urban
Dorothy Urban

The Grandmother

Effie Anderson
Effie Anderson

The Receptionist

Loading Trailer Videos...
  • HomePage

  • Overview

    The Fight for Life was documentary filmmaker Pare Lorentz' first "dramatic" film, utilizing the talents of several top New York stage actors. A tribute to the Chicago Maternity Center and its efforts to provide the best possible care for destitute mothers, the film is based on the book of the same name by Paul de Kruif. Myron McCormick plays the largest role as a dedicated intern, while others in the cast include such theatrical heavywrights as Will Geer, Dudley Digges and Dorothy Adams. The film's many vignettes range from the tragic (a mother dying in childbirth in the opening scene) to the exultant (another mother rescued from the brink of death in a disease-ridden tenement). Filmed in Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland, Fight for Life is a worthwhile effort, though Lorentz seems more comfortable with the "actuality" scenes than with the dramatized passages.

  • Release Date

    1940-03-07

  • Average

    5.3

  • Rating:

    2.6 starts
  • Tagline

  • Genres

  • Languages:

    English
  • Keywords

Similar Movies

Pearl Harbor
69%

Pearl Harbor(en)

2001-05-21

The lifelong friendship between Rafe McCawley and Danny Walker is put to the ultimate test when the two ace fighter pilots become entangled in a love triangle with beautiful Naval nurse Evelyn Johnson. But the rivalry between the friends-turned-foes is immediately put on hold when they find themselves at the center of Japan's devastating attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Not Here to Be Loved
67%

Not Here to Be Loved(fr)

2005-10-12

Jean-Claude Delsart, a 50 years-old bailiff, with his worn-out smile and heart, abandoned a long time ago the idea that life could give him pleasures. Until the day, he dares to push the doors of a tango lesson...

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
84%

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest(en)

1975-11-19

A petty criminal fakes insanity to serve his sentence in a mental ward rather than prison. He soon finds himself as a leader to the other patients—and an enemy to the cruel, domineering nurse who runs the ward.

In Sickness and in Health
10%

In Sickness and in Health(en)

1992-03-08

A man hires a nurse to care for his wife, who suffers from Multiple Scleroses, but a relationship soon develops between them.

Lisbon-Province
50%

Lisbon-Province(pt)

2010-06-26

A nurse takes care of a patient in her house. Maria do Céu has been a nurse for more than forty years, working at an old Hospital in Lisbon. She was sixteen, when she arrived to Lisbon, coming from a small village in Alentejo. At the Hospital, she reads the file of an old patient who was also her friend. The file is then closed. Maria do Céu returns to her village, where she sings at the people’s house choir.

Winter Sleepers
69%

Winter Sleepers(de)

1997-10-30

Young blonde translator Rebecca lives with her boyfriend ski instructor Marco in a mountain villa owned by her friend, nurse Laura. Rene, local cinema projectionist, steals Marco's car and gets into a car crash with local Theo, whose daughter, after being in coma for a time, dies. Rene suffers from partial short term memory loss and starts a relationship with Laura. Meanwhile Marco is looking for the man who stole his car and Theo - for the man who killed his daughter...

Persona
81%

Persona(sv)

1966-10-18

A young nurse, Alma, is put in charge of Elisabeth Vogler: an actress who is seemingly healthy in all respects, but will not talk. As they spend time together, Alma speaks to Elisabeth constantly, never receiving any answer.

Misery
77%

Misery(en)

1990-11-30

After an accident, acclaimed novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued by a nurse who claims to be his biggest fan. Her obsession takes a dark turn when she holds him captive in her remote Colorado home and forces him to write back to life the popular literary character he killed off.

Away from Her
70%

Away from Her(en)

2007-05-04

Fiona and Grant have been married for nearly 50 years. They have to face the fact that Fiona’s absent-mindedness is a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. She must go to a specialized nursing home, where she slowly forgets Grant and turns her affection to Aubrey, another patient in the home.

Doctor Zhivago
75%

Doctor Zhivago(en)

1965-12-22

The life of a Russian physician and poet who, although married to another, falls in love with a political activist's wife and experiences hardship during World War I and then the October Revolution.

Lonely Hearts
60%

Lonely Hearts(en)

2006-04-30

In the late 1940s, a murderous couple known as the 'The Lonely Hearts Killers' kills close to a dozen people. Two detectives try to nab the duo who find their targets via the personals in the paper.

Himmo, King of Jerusalem
37%

Himmo, King of Jerusalem(he)

1988-09-09

Adapted from Yoram Kaniuk's best-selling novel, this heart-rending love story unfolds during the siege of Jerusalem in 1948. A young and beautiful volunteer nurse is drawn to the enigmatic Himmo, a mortally wounded and mutilated soldier who cannot speak or move.

The Elephant Man
80%

The Elephant Man(en)

1980-10-09

A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.

Dawn
0%

Dawn(en)

1928-03-01

A nurse helps 210 men escape to England before the Germans catch and execute her.

The Secret Life of Words
70%

The Secret Life of Words(en)

2005-12-15

A solitary nurse bonds with a badly burned patient who survived an accident on an oil rig.

The Island of Thirty Coffins
52%

The Island of Thirty Coffins(fr)

1979-09-21

The story takes place in 1917. Véronique is a young woman of 35 years, nurse at the military hospital of Besançon. She suddenly learns of the murder of her husband, the mysterious Count Vorski, whom she has not seen for fourteen years. Her research will also lead her to the track of her father and son whom she believed to have died in a shipwreck, already a long time ago. From clue to clue, here we are in Brittany, on this island with a name so ill-fitting... Brutal deaths, enigmatic words written... by whom? A frightening prophecy, the superstitious terror of the island's inhabitants, and suddenly, Veronica d'Hergemont can no longer leave this island. She's stuck alone. Almost alone...

Les Anneaux de Bicêtre
100%

Les Anneaux de Bicêtre(fr)

1977-01-05

At fifty, René Maugras has lost everything. This wealthy press boss fell into a coma and was rushed to hospital. He has since emerged from his worrying state of health but remains unable to move and communicate. He must also begin rehabilitation, which turns out to be particularly humiliating. Fortunately for him there is Blanche, his nurse, who surrounds him with affection. Blanche takes her case to heart.

Acts of Mercy
0%

Acts of Mercy(en)

2009-06-14

Under the thumb of Nurse Baker, Nurse Maggie Collins struggles to care for the long-term residents of Moss Oak Manor, a home for the elderly. When good intentions are misinterpreted, Maggie must struggle to address issues of ambition and ethics.

Calling Dr. Gillespie
65%

Calling Dr. Gillespie(en)

1942-08-01

Dr. Kildare's friend Dr. Gillespie is called in to investigate when a young man suffering from mental problems disappears on a killing spree.

Acrimony
67%

Acrimony(en)

2018-03-30

Faithful wife Melinda, who is tired of standing by her devious husband Robert, is enraged when it becomes clear she has been betrayed. That's when she lost it, and now she cannot let it go.

Recommendations Movies

Sonic 30th Anniversary Symphony
71%

Sonic 30th Anniversary Symphony(en)

2021-06-23

30 years ago, on June 23rd, 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog was released on the SEGA Genesis, beginning a new era of gaming. Since then, Sonic has been running through countless zones, beating badniks, and saving the world with the help of his friends. This performance is to thank you, all of you, for being there every step of the way, and to remind us all of the amazing journey we've been on. Happy 30th Anniversary, Sonic!

Monster High: Freaky Fusion
77%

Monster High: Freaky Fusion(en)

2014-10-06

While attempting to help Frankie Stein learn more about her freakycool scaritage, the fashionably fierce ghoulfriends travel back in time to the first day ever of Monster High! There, they meet Sparky, a skullastic teen with an obsession for creating life. But when Sparky follows the ghouls through a killer time portal to modern-day Monster High, the event results in eight of them fusing together into four creeperiffic hybrid Monsters. Now, they'll really have to work together to control their bodies in the big Bitecentennial Play and stop one of Sparky's experiments from destroying imperfectly perfect Monster High!

Brother 2
71%

Brother 2(ru)

2000-05-11

Arriving in Moscow, Chechen War veteran Danila meets Konstantin, an old friend who tells him that his twin brother has been forced into signing a crooked contract with a US ice hockey team. Soon after this meeting, Danila discovers Konstantin dead and he sets out to avenge his death; a journey that leads him to Chicago and a whole new experience.

The Boys in the Band: Something Personal
71%

The Boys in the Band: Something Personal(en)

2020-09-30

Decades after his play first put gay life center stage, Mart Crowley joins the cast and crew of the 2020 film to reflect on the story's enduring legacy.

How I Unleashed World War II, Part III: Among Friends
76%

How I Unleashed World War II, Part III: Among Friends(pl)

1970-04-06

Disguised as an Italian medic, Dolas finds himself on a ship evacuating wounded Axis soldiers to Italy. He leaves the ship disguised as a Nazi soldier, but is found out, declared a deserter and sent to the Eastern Front. However, on the flight to Russia, he is able to escape with a parachute, and finds himself back in Poland, now occupied by Nazis.

My Little Pony: Equestria Girls - Rollercoaster of Friendship
81%

My Little Pony: Equestria Girls - Rollercoaster of Friendship(en)

2018-07-06

Rarity's friendship with Applejack is tested when Vignette Valencia hires her as her new designer for a theme park parade.

Lord
75%

Lord(ro)

2011-09-23

Although he hates dogs, Toni is engaged in finding lost animals and then sentimentally blackmails the masters in order to obtain beautiful large amounts of money. Because of an old and ugly Pekinese that Toni cannot succeed of getting rid of, feelings of affection awake in him that surprise even Toni.

Blackmail
69%

Blackmail(hi)

2018-04-06

When Dev finds about his wife's affair, he starts blackmailing her and her lover but the blackmail game backfires on him.

Dragon Ball Super: Broly
79%

Dragon Ball Super: Broly(ja)

2018-12-14

Earth is peaceful following the Tournament of Power. Realizing that the universes still hold many more strong people yet to see, Goku spends all his days training to reach even greater heights. Then one day, Goku and Vegeta are faced by a Saiyan called 'Broly' who they've never seen before. The Saiyans were supposed to have been almost completely wiped out in the destruction of Planet Vegeta, so what's this one doing on Earth? This encounter between the three Saiyans who have followed completely different destinies turns into a stupendous battle, with even Frieza (back from Hell) getting caught up in the mix.

Armed Response
52%

Armed Response(en)

2017-08-04

The story follows a team of highly trained operatives who find themselves trapped inside an isolated military compound.

Brother or Marriage 2
70%

Brother or Marriage 2(ru)

2019-01-31

Gaukhar is pregnant, and Aidar seems to have finally found a common language with his wife's brothers. But everything changes when the main character is faced with an unusual illness. Kuvad's syndrome - an imaginary pregnancy in men - can completely destroy Aidar's plans and even his marriage.

Transformer
59%

Transformer(en)

2018-04-27

In the summer of 2015, former US Marine and world record weightlifter Janae Marie Kroczaleski was publicly outed as being transgender. The reaction was universal: her sponsors abandoned her, she was disowned by her parents and banned from competing. This film follows Janae as she attempts to find her place in society. Initially wanting to strip off the muscle and become a much smaller looking woman, she found herself unable to lose the muscle she so desperately gained. She now finds herself living one day as an alpha male and the next day as a delicate girl. Will Janae be able to handle her muscle relapses? Will her passage from being a male bring her the peace she's looking for? Will society accept a 250lbs muscular woman? Is her path personal redemption or physical and psychological disaster?

Leberkäsjunkie
70%

Leberkäsjunkie(de)

2019-08-01

While dealing with a burnt-down house, smelly diapers and brutal lack of sleep, a Lower Bavarian police officer faces his worst adversary: cholesterol.

The Escape
55%

The Escape(en)

2018-04-25

An ordinary woman makes an extraordinary decision which will change her life forever.

Ross Noble: Sonic Waffle
65%

Ross Noble: Sonic Waffle(en)

2005-10-03

Here it is folks... another classic comedy DVD from stand-up master Ross Noble. This packed DVD features an uncut live performance filmed in London on the last night of Ross' Sonic Waffle tour. Along with the main feature Ross has also included his guest performance from BBC's Jack Dee Live at the Apollo, plus his own commentaries on both shows and a stack of other extras

Team Thor: Part 2
69%

Team Thor: Part 2(en)

2017-02-14

A continuation of the documentary spoof of what Thor and his roommate Darryl were up to during the events of "Captain America: Civil War". While Cap and Iron Man duke it out, Thor tries to pay Darryl his rent in Asgardian coins.

Sonic Soldier Borgman: Madnight☆Gigs!
58%

Sonic Soldier Borgman: Madnight☆Gigs!(ja)

1989-02-08

A music clip OVA using full versions of songs that were from the anime.

Sonic Soldier Borgman: Last Battle
61%

Sonic Soldier Borgman: Last Battle(ja)

1989-09-16

It has been three years since the end of the series. Ryo works for NASA as an engineer on a large rocket project. Anise, fellow Borgman and lover, has been reduced to flipping burgers in a restaurant. So naturally, when she gets a letter offering her a professional job in a big, Japanese, high-tech project, she jumps at the chance. Ryo, however, is as indecisive as ever and so she leaves for Japan without him. Chuck Sweager, the third Borgman, is a police officer, as is his girlfriend Miki...

Cats
41%

Cats(en)

2019-12-19

A tribe of cats called the Jellicles must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life.

The Good Witch's Charm
73%

The Good Witch's Charm(en)

2012-10-27

Good Witch Cassie Nightingale is back to her bewitching ways, but this time she’s also juggling a newborn daughter and her job as town Mayor. With such a busy schedule she and her husband, town sheriff Jake Russell, aren’t getting much sleep. Hoping for a break, Cassie plans a much needed vacation with her new family. But things go awry when a crime wave sweeps through town and an investigative reporter tries to ruin Cassie’s image after a video of her magically disappearing turns up on the internet. To make matters worse, Cassie’s estranged foster mother appears in town and Cassie’s stepdaughter is suddenly accused of the recent robberies. Supported by her loyal family and friends, Cassie must rely on her signature charm to put a stop to the rumors before they completely destroy the town, and a Good Witch’s reputation!