War Nurse | 1930 | War Drama

Title: War Nurse | 1930 | War Drama Director: Edgar Selwyn Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Starring: Robert Montgomery, Anita Page, June Walker, Robert Ames, ZaSu Pitts, Marie Prevost, Helen Jerome Eddy, Hedda Hopper, Edward J. Nugent, Martha Sleeper Based on: Original screenplay by Becky Gardiner and Joseph Farnham Release Date: November 22 1930 Runtime: 79 minutes Format: Black and white with sound Country: United States Language: English Genres: War Drama Romance --- Chapters: 00:00:00 American women volunteer as nurses 00:10:00 Arrival in France and hospital setup 00:20:00 Adjustment to war duties 00:30:00 Romance with Lieutenant O’Brien 00:40:00 Battlefront chaos and loss 00:50:00 Personal tragedies and morale 01:00:00 End of war and emotional resolution --- Summary: War Nurse is a 1930 American pre-Code war drama that follows a group of young American women who volunteer to serve as nurses in France during World War I, despite having little training. The narrative depicts the harsh realities they face in the makeshift hospital, the emotional strain of tending to wounded soldiers, and the complex interpersonal relationships that develop amid danger. Central to the story are the contrasting experiences of Joy Meadows, who struggles to adapt, and Barbara “Babs” Whitney, whose leadership and resilience are tested as romantic and wartime pressures intersect. The film blends wartime hardship with elements of romance and sacrifice as the nurses confront loss, love, and the trauma of war while seeking meaning in the bonds they form in the crucible of conflict. --- Background: Directed by Edgar Selwyn and produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, War Nurse was released during the early sound era as one of the notable pre-Code films exploring World War I perspectives from women’s points of view. The screenplay by Gardiner and Farnham was adapted to highlight both the physical demands of wartime nursing and the emotional complexities faced by the volunteer nurses, reflecting contemporary interest in war stories and strong female characters. --- Trivia: War Nurse marked a prominent early talking role for Robert Montgomery opposite Anita Page and June Walker. The film’s story highlights gender dynamics and social expectations as women take on wartime roles traditionally held by men. Actress ZaSu Pitts appears in a supporting role providing both comic and emotional depth to the ensemble. The narrative includes portrayals of battlefield casualties and the psychological toll of war on caregivers, unusual for Hollywood films of the era. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: November 22 1930 Original Studio / Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Not applicable --- Hashtags: #WarNurse1930 #EdgarSelwyn #RobertMontgomery #AnitaPage #PreCodeWarFilm #PublicDomain