Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940)
In a departure from his usual roles, Edward G. Robinson plays the famed German doctor and scientist, Dr. Paul Ehrlich. Based on Dr. Ehrlich’s journals and written with considerable cooperation with his widow, this fascinating biopic chronicles his decades of research and progress. As a young doctor who gets fired from a hospital for his refusal to follow the rules, he prioritizes his research above all else. He forms a lasting friendship with fellow scientist and pioneer Dr. Behring (Otto Kruger), and they work together to find more information, and cures, for tuberculosis, diphtheria, and syphilis.
If you’ve only seen him in gangster pictures, it’s hard to believe that “Do it my way, see?” voice is actually put on. Eddie G’s real voice is soft spoken and calm. You can hear the way he really talks in Dr. Ehrlich’s Magic Bullet. He’s intelligent, focused, dedicated, and completely believable as an inventive scientist. In Little Caesar, he didn’t seem like he’d even graduated from high school. In fact, this consummate actor played a variety of roles and was believable in every one of them. His immersion into the role is incredible, as is the age makeup that takes the audience through the decades of his and Otto’s journey.
In the supporting cast, you’ll see Ruth Gordon, Donald Crisp, Maria Ouspenskaya, Sig Ruman, Donald Meek, Harry Davenport, Henry O’Neill, Albert Bassermann, and Louis Calhern. Dr. Ehrlich was Eddie G’s personal favorite of all his films, which is a reason in itself to watch it. It’s an incredible performance that feels like you’re almost watching a documentary, and William Dieterle’s direction is full of detail and sensitivity to the subject. In one of my favorite scenes, blind men who are suffering from advanced syphilis start taking Dr. Ehrlich’s medicine. The camera shows their points of view as the days and weeks go by, as their vision slowly returns, at first with lights and shadows, then with blurry forms, then completely. It’s very moving when the first face they see is Dr. Ehrlich’s, and they weep from gratitude. This film may have been filmed in black and white, but it doesn’t feel like an “old” movie. It stands the test of time and will keep modern audiences’ attention, especially with the scientific and historical contributions to the screenplay.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Edward G. Robinson movies here!
If you’ve only seen him in gangster pictures, it’s hard to believe that “Do it my way, see?” voice is actually put on. Eddie G’s real voice is soft spoken and calm. You can hear the way he really talks in Dr. Ehrlich’s Magic Bullet. He’s intelligent, focused, dedicated, and completely believable as an inventive scientist. In Little Caesar, he didn’t seem like he’d even graduated from high school. In fact, this consummate actor played a variety of roles and was believable in every one of them. His immersion into the role is incredible, as is the age makeup that takes the audience through the decades of his and Otto’s journey.
In the supporting cast, you’ll see Ruth Gordon, Donald Crisp, Maria Ouspenskaya, Sig Ruman, Donald Meek, Harry Davenport, Henry O’Neill, Albert Bassermann, and Louis Calhern. Dr. Ehrlich was Eddie G’s personal favorite of all his films, which is a reason in itself to watch it. It’s an incredible performance that feels like you’re almost watching a documentary, and William Dieterle’s direction is full of detail and sensitivity to the subject. In one of my favorite scenes, blind men who are suffering from advanced syphilis start taking Dr. Ehrlich’s medicine. The camera shows their points of view as the days and weeks go by, as their vision slowly returns, at first with lights and shadows, then with blurry forms, then completely. It’s very moving when the first face they see is Dr. Ehrlich’s, and they weep from gratitude. This film may have been filmed in black and white, but it doesn’t feel like an “old” movie. It stands the test of time and will keep modern audiences’ attention, especially with the scientific and historical contributions to the screenplay.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Edward G. Robinson movies here!
Hot Toasty Rag Awards:
Best Dramatic Screenplay of 1940
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Picture
Best Director: William Dieterle
Best Actor: Edward G. Robinson