DR MONICA

US, 1934, 64 minutes, Black and white.
Kay Francis, Warren William, Jean Muir.
Directed by William Keighly.

Dr Monica runs the length of a modern episode for a television series. In fact, the plot is very similar to this kind of episode – and is a perennial.

Kay Francis was very popular in the 1930s, especially in Warner Bros films. Here she plays a dedicated doctor who is unable to have a child. However, she takes initiatives in developing medicine and home care. Warren William plays her author husband. Jean Muir portrays a friend, a pilot.

However, it emerges that the author has had an affair with a friend who is pregnant. The doctor discovers this, has to help with the birth of the child. She tries to make the marriage work – but decides that she should go to Europe for developmental work in hospitals. On the other hand, the mother leaves a note, gives the child to the doctor, crashes into the sea. The husband, happy to have an adopted child, knows nothing of what has happened.

Direction is by William Keighly who made many films at Warner Bros including The Adventures of Robin Hood.

1.The impact of the film? Brevity? Human issues?

2.1934, black and white photography, score? The hospital, the apartments?

3.The moral issues of the film, Monica and John and their relationship, no children, his affair, the friendship with Mary? The hospital issues? The birth of the child? The mother rejecting the child? Monica supporting her? The adoption? The suicide? John not knowing about the child?

4.Monica, strong character, at the party, friendship with Mary, support, her plans for medicine? Her love for John, his writing, his going abroad? Anna and the hospital? Mary’s pregnancy, Monica’s concern? Overhearing the phone call? Farewelling John? Her upset about Mary, her being persuaded to do her duty as a doctor? The birth, encouraging Mary to feed the baby? John’s return, not telling him the truth, going away with him, the plan to go to Austria, to separate? Mary’s death? The baby, Monica’s love for the baby? The adoption?

5.Mary, the pilot, from the country, the relationship with John, her upset, at the party? Flying home, the horse riding – and her pregnancy? The confinement, trying to ring John? The birth, her rejection, Monica knowing, the note, the suicide?

6.John, his writing, self-assured, the relationship with Mary, deceiving Monica? Abroad, writing? Renewing his love for Monica, their week together? The adoption?

7.Anna, friendship, trying to reconcile people?

8.The TV episode kind of story, the treatment, 30s-style? In retrospect?