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Edward G. Robinson will always be remembered for LITTLE CAESAR(1930), but this movie features probably the best acting of his career. This is based on the true story of Dr. Paul Ehrlich, a Polish born German bacteriologist that discovered the cure for syphilis. Stubborn dedication paid off on the 606th test that provided Dr. Ehrlich's 'magic bullets' to fight a silent killer of society. Not only was Robinson in top form, but other cast members provided strong support: Otto Kruger, Ruth Gordon and Donald Crisp. Highly recommended.

Note: It was a daring risk that this movie made it to the screen. In a time when a man and a woman could not share the same bed...here is a movie about finding a cure for venereal disease.

Grand biopic as only Old Hollywood could do so well. An excellent performance from Edward G. Robinson as Dr. Paul Ehrlich, who works to create a cure for syphilis while battling tuberculosis and his peers' small-mindedness. With direction by the great William Dieterle and a script co-written by John Huston, this is an exceptional film. It's not easy to make a great movie out of what is essentially a medical research story, but they pull it off. Terrific supporting cast including Ruth Gordon, Donald Crisp, Otto Kruger, Donald Meek, Henry O'Neill, Maria Ouspenskaya, Albert Bassermann, Louis Calhern...so many more. Just a great lineup. Pretty daring to make a movie about syphilis at a time when the Production Code was in full effect. Wonderful biopic you should definitely check out.

If you've only seen Edward G. Robinson in gangster films, give this one a chance and see his range as an actor. Here he portrays German physician and researcher Paul Ehrlich, a pioneer at the turn of the 20th century in the treatment of infectious diseases and the man who found a cure for syphilis. Ehrlich starts out as a general practitioner employed by a hospital in order to provide a stable living for his family but whose real love is for research. His inquiring mind and nonconformist views ultimately makes him a leader in his field, but not before his pioneering ideas get him in trouble with the medical establishment in his country. Robinson has excellent support here with Ruth Gordon playing Ehrlich's adoring wife. Otto Kruger ably portrays Emil Adolf Von Behring, Ehrlich's friend and colleague who find himself at odds with his good friend's professional ideas at one point in their careers.

The film was controversial at the time for mentioning the disease "syphilis" by name, and I'm sure a little bit of sensationalism is why Jack Warner thought that Dr. Ehrlich's biography would be good material for a film, but there's something more subtle going on here. Made in 1940, after the Nazi menace had been recognized by many but before America had been attacked, there are many not so subtle digs at Germany to be found here. Early in the film several of Ehrlich's colleagues are ratting him out to the head of the hospital for not following hospital rules. Specifically, Ehrlich realizes that the sweat baths prescribed as the treatment of syphilis at the time - 1890 - are of no value whatsoever. When a patient of Ehrlich's says that the baths sap his strength and may cost him his job, Ehrlich says that he can skip the baths. This humane act of deviating from a useless treatment is the "rule" Ehrlich has broken, and what gets him called on the carpet by the head of the hospital. The whole incident is one of several that make the Germans look rigid and inhumane. The issue of Ehrlich's colleagues doubting his abilities because of his religion - he was Jewish - also comes up a few times. Finally, when the state budget committee that is financing Ehrlich's lab comes by for an inspection they chastise Ehrlich for hiring a "non-German" doctor. It's very effective but subtle criticism of the Germans that Warner Brothers did so well in the years leading up to the war.

One bone that Warner Brothers did have to throw to the censors because of the open discussion and showing of syphilis patients in various stages of the disease is that they could not show any female patients. They were only allowed to show male sufferers. I guess these guys all got this from "an inanimate object" as Dr. Ehrlich says is possible at one point in the film to downplay the sexual transmission angle of this disease. Wasn't the Breen era of the production code a scream?

Of all the great biographical flicks Hollywood pumped out in the late 30's and early 40's, such as "Juarez," "The Story of Louis Pasteur," "Abe Lincoln in Illinois," and "The Life of Emile Zola," "Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet" is the best. And that's saying a lot since the ones mentioned above are screen classics from the Golden Age. In "Magic Bullet" everything seems to gel, from the brilliant acting of all involved, including once-in-a-lifetime performances by Edward G. Robingson, Otto Kruger, Ruth Gordon, and Maria Ouspenskaya, to the outstanding direction of William Dieterle. Also this biography is far more factual and less sensational than the others from the period. Even the subject involved in the biography was somewhat taboo in 1940, syphilis. Many in the movie audiences of 1940 may have reacted the same way the guests at Franziska Speyer's dinner party reacted upon hearing the word. Though not at all shocking today, it must have been somewhat shocking then. I'm sure that's why it was handled with kid gloves by William Dieterle. On the other hand the problems Dr. Ehrlich faced in getting support for his magic bullet is comparable with problems faced by today's scientists in getting funding to do needed research to find a cure for AIDS.

The writers, who included John Huston, did the research needed for an intelligent and well-written script. The viewer may hesitate to watch at first when he/she discovers that the movie is about a German scientist who discovered an effective treatment for syphilis, but just pay attention for a few seconds and there is no turning back. Seeing the entire film becomes necessary. So enjoy a masterpiece from the past.

How I long for the era when Hollywood was capable of producing films based upon the lives of great scientists and physicians. Current moguls may consider the material too trite, but that just proves how they misjudge quality cinema.

Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet is a great old biographical melodrama that probably does overstate certain emotional moments, nonetheless it helps recall the bigger-than-life accomplishments of scientists who otherwise would be forgotten.

Edward G. Robinson, though apparently too mature for the role, knew a good script when he read it, and ended up with the finest performance of his long career. Credit goes to the Warner Studio, too, for making a film about the cure for syphilis when even the mention of the disease was prohibited in motion pictures. Those who enjoy films like Edison, The Man will find this more involved with science and less with personal matters than the MGM/Spencer Tracy epic.

This is grand Warner's entertainment with a lesson or two for all of us.

It's very hard to believe that this movie was made in 1940, as much of the plot centers on Dr. Ehrlich's attempts to create a cure for syphilis. At times, the studio appeared to dance around the whole STD aspect of the disease, but it was extremely daring to try to cover such a taboo topic.

It's actually quite amazing that a story as seemingly mundane and medical research is as compelling as it is. I think this is due to excellent directing, writing and acting. In particular, Edward G. Robinson is a standout as the lead. This movie clearly demonstrates that his range far exceeded playing gangsters or that annoying Egyptian in The Ten Commandments.

Due to the enormous talent, tenacity and courage of Dr. Paul Ehrlich to persevere in his quest to develop a cure for venereal disease, the world was made a safer place. This outstanding biography relates Dr. Ehrilch's quest to conquer disease which plagued 19th century populations.

Edward G.Robinson heads a fine cast, which recognized an outstanding script and rose to the occasion. There is no overacting or exaggerated dramatics here, only earnest and sincere acting work, enhanced by a peerless Max Steiner score and James Wong Howe cinematography. William Dieterle's direction is both sensitive and solid, wrapping up a fine production, presented by Warner Bros.

I must echo the glowing comments about this fine film by William Dieterle. The entire cast is superb, from Robinson to Maria Ouspenskaya and Donald Crisp. Some of the cast had appeared in the very fine 'Life of Emile Zola' some 5 years earlier. Everything about this film was well done, from the acting to the photography to the music. A Must see.

Unfortunately Edward G. Robinson was in my humble opinion, unable to portray the Nobel winning scientist Dr. Paul Ehrlich with any credibility. At first glance Edward G. Robinson's really fake hair piece, mustache and beard appeared to be purchased from a five and dime store. I did not see him speak in any scientific terms either. For example, when Dr. Ehrlich was attempting to gain new funding for his continued experiments when the government cut his funding, he accepted a dinner invitation which his servant like wife (Ruth Gordon) arranged from a wealthy socialite. At the dinner table Dr. Ehrlich proceeds to explain to his wealthy dinner hostess by taking out from his pocket an ink pen and writing out in simple terms directly on to her white table linen by "dumbing down" his scientific experiments using rats, rabbits, and monkeys, such that before he was finished with his explanation, the only person left from the original 24 people was the hostess herself. And yet, we the audience did not hear his explanation(s) to his gracious socialite hostess.

I will say that Dr. Ehrlich was known to smoke more than a dozen cigars every day, and his office secretary was very close to him and appeared to know him best which is why her character was portrayed in this film as the caring employee when he took ill.

With so many great actors/actresses available in the 1940's era of filmmaking I don't know why the producers settled for the gangster mode image of Edward G. Robinson.

I just did not think Edward G. Robinson's portrayal of the famed Nobel prize winner Dr. Paul Ehrlich was delivered with sufficient preparation and final delivery of his lines to be regarded as authentic.

I give the film a 4 out of 10 rating for it's historical value, but I had to take away points for the sub standard delivery of the biographical story of Dr. Paul Ehrlich by Edward G. Robinson. I was not impressed.

Hollywood in the 1930' s filmed the biographies of some of the world's greatest men. These recreations tower over the current A & E Biography series. The story of Dr. Ehrlich from staining the tubercular germ through the development of his theory of combating disease with so called magic bullets of chemicals is inspiring. His efforts in fighting Diphtheria and his long struggle against the devastating scourge of syphilis with a final discovery after 605 failed attempts is extremely rewarding.

This film is generally forgotten because the only star in it that is remembered today is Edward G. Robinson. While he gives an outstanding performance, it is the entire cast who should receive accolades. Dieterle's direction, the photography, a truly excellent script and Steiner's music are all part of a near-perfect biography. Most highly recommended!

Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

John Huston co-wrote the screenplay and won an Oscar for it for this bio-pic from Warner. Dr. Paul Ehrlich, played brilliantly by Edward G. Robinson, draws heat from his peers when he decides to try and find a cure for the morally incorrect syphilis. It's rather shocking to find out that Robinson never received an Oscar nomination and it's even more shocking after watching his brilliant work here, which is perhaps the greatest I've seen from him. He has to age several decades here but Robinson nails each stage of the doctor's life from his early days working in a hospital to his final days dealing with a trial over his syphilis serum. It's amazing to see how much Robinson transformed himself because he looks and acts unlike anything I've seen him in. He has a wig on, a strange beard and right from the start you see him as the doctor and not Robinson. There's no question the actor will always be remembered for his role in Little Caesar but his work here is so much better. The studio went all out and gave him a terrific group of supporting players including Otto Kruger, Ruth Gordon, Donald Crisp, Maria Ouspenskaya, Henry O'Neill and Donald Meek. The screenplay is very ambitious in that it tries to cover various aspects of Ehrlich's life and for the most part it works, although I thought that a few segments were rushed over so that the film could get onto other aspects of his life. The final trial didn't come off too well but it did make for a nice payoff through Robinson's touching final scene inside the courtroom.

German Dr. Paul Ehrlich (Edward G. Robinson) grows tired of the hospital red tape. He has two young daughters with his wife (Ruth Gordon). He makes various discoveries over time. After an observation in Egypt, he becomes obsessed with discovering magic bullets to cure different diseases.

It is a pretty straight forward medical biopic headed by a Hollywood legend. It is not like they could add a car chase or anything like that. The acting is solid. I guess that syphilis was unmentionable back in the day. That probably made this edgy. Otherwise, this is very solid and it is also very informative.

Well made and accurate film illustrating the great efforts Dr. Ehrlich made in strict scientific method and his ability to comprehend disparate events. This culminated in Dr. Ehrlich's nearly single-handed development of cytology, histology, hematology, hypothesis of immunity and antitoxins and cure for syphilis. Illustrates what one determined individual willing to work may accomplish to the betterment of mankind. Paul Ehrlich was a dedicated physician and scientist of the first order. His efforts likely saved the lives of some of your ancestors if not you, yourself. I regret I can not afford to buy the movie, nor find it re-listed on the TV guide or movie listings. I would be happy to see it again, though it illustrates how little I have made of my life in comparison to that of Dr. Ehrlich.

Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940) : Brief Review -

Edward Robinson's Greatest Role Ever in the sensational true story of Dr. Ehrlich which changed the medical world forever. Watching Dr Ehrlich's Magic Bullet in today's time when the pandemic (Covid-19) has hit us hard made me realize the importance of Medical science and the people who are serving it more than ever. These great scientists have done such phenomenal jobs that we as a society owe our lives to them. William Dieterle had already made classic biographicals like 'The Story Of Louis Pasteur' (1936) and 'The Life Of Emile Zola' (1937) before making Ehrlich's biopic, so he knew how to handle the subject and more importantly how to present it. This film has so many moments that will touch your emotions and make you realise the noble services many scientists and doctors have done to us. It's a true story of Dr. Ehrlich, who considered it was not immoral to search for a drug that would cure syphillis and that in future all the serums will be made in test tubes. The guy fought everybody, even his best friend to achieve success and everything he did was only and only for the sake of humanity. He may not be a god, but he's no less either. I say this to almost every scientist/doctor who has invented those medicines and antidotes to those terrible diseases. Just imagine if someone discovers an injection that will kill this covid-19 virus right now at this moment. Hail him, won't you worship him like a God? That's what they deserve and it is our duty to give them that respect. Dr Ehrlich's Magic Bullet is one such sensational story on one of the most important inventions in medical history powered by Edward Robinson's greatest role ever performed on screen. I will always remember William Dieterle for telling these important chapters from the history of mankind through such lovable and educational films.

RATING - 7.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Robinson gives his best performance in my mind. Happened to catch this movie years ago and though dramatized, am sure, the story is about a man dedicated to helping people and is a very powerful message to us....who are our heros? Sports heros? Music heros? Hollywood heros? No. People like Dr English are the heros of this planet. Great movie and Robinson is superb in the role.

Edward G. Robinson was undoubtedly the greatest actor never to have been nominated for an Oscar. Even his honorary Oscar had to be awarded posthumously! One can only surmise that his being constantly overlooked was due to his 'leftist' leanings. Only a theory of course. He is simply stupendous in the title role of this excellent biopic from Warner Bros. Robinson was a man of immense culture and humanity whose performance in this has both intelligence and heart; an unbeatable combination. Although studio bound with a mix of both American and European actors, director William Dieterle has succeeded admirably in convincing us that we are in nineteenth century Germany. The cinematography by James Wong Howe and a Max Steiner score beautifully arranged by Hugo Friedhofer add to its effectiveness. It is possible that Warner Bros would have been the only Hollywood studio at the time to have touched this subject matter. There are a few scenes with Albert Bassermann as Dr. Robert Koch whose own biopic was directed by Hans Steinhoff a year earlier with Emil Jannings in the title role. This also is highly recommended. Dr. Ehrlich, in the film anyway, expresses the hope that the success of experiment 606 marked 'the end of the road' in the fight against syphillis. This alas has not been the case as he had failed to take into account the 'human factor' involved in the spread of STD's! This is a well-intentioned, well made and well acted film but one that I would not recommend to animal rights activists although happily the chimpanzee is cured!

"Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet" is the story of the groundbreaking Nobel prize winner Paul Ehrlich, credited with many discoveries still critical in the practice of medicine today, and perhaps most importantly, for finding the cure for syphilis.

This is an important film for the use of the word 'syphilis' which was the basis of a fight between the Hays code and Warners. But Ehrlich's story deserved telling, and you couldn't do it without using the word syphilis.

The beginning of the film shows Dr. Ehrlich in Germany futilely treating patients who have the disease, though nothing can really help them.

It chronicles his rise up the scientific ranks through his use of staining organisms so that they could be seen under the microscope, his work in disease resistance, and finally, after long experiments with an arsenical compound - 606, in fact - the discovery of a cure for syphilis.

For me, one reason to watch bios is that I develop interest in the subjects and seek out more information; after all, some Hollywood stories are less factual than others. Though I'm sure a lot of Ehrlich's life had to be telescoped, the film certainly hits the highlights, and portrays him as a gifted scientist and vigorous innovator obsessed with his work.

Edward G. Robinson was always a good actor in the right role, but as Dr. Ehrlich, he is magnificent, totally immersing himself in the character and drawing the audience in.

Stage actress Ruth Gordon, for whom movie stardom was about 28 years off, gives a lovely, understated performance as Ehrlich's wife. The rest of the cast is excellent, from Otto Kruger as a fellow scientist and friend, right down to a small role by Louis Calhern.

The movie is a little too sentimental at times by today's standards, I suppose, but the only thing that really bothered me was the lack of presence of Ehrlich's daughters at the film's end.

At the beginning of the movie, we see them as youngsters, and reference is made to them later as being married. Would it have killed Warners to have two female extras at the end of the film? We would have known who they were.

I don't know if Ehrlich really said that diseases of the body will not be conquered until we conquer diseases of the soul, but it's a great and true thought. He was in fact a victim of a disease of the soul: there was a street in Frankfurt named after him, but the name was changed in the '30s because Ehrlich was Jewish. Later, it was reinstated.

This is a marvelous movie, a real must-see.