Noites de Vigília

Enjoyed reading A.J.Cronin's books and this film was a big favorite with people in the 1940's and will continue to be for many generations to come. Carol Lombard, (Anne Lee) was type cast as a pretty actress who was well known for her roles in comedy and this film showed the film industry she was capable of being a great dramatic actress which she was in this film. This film portrays the conditions which nurses had to do years ago in England and it is a rather sad film but a very down to earth one. Anne Lee takes the blame for her sister Lucy Lee, (Anne Shirley) for causing a young boy to die because of negligence of her duties. These sisters were both studying to become nurses and Anne already had her certificate to practice. Anne has a very rough life in this story and for some reason she always manages to stand by her sister no matter what trouble she gets into. This is a must see enjoyable Classic Film.

I use this film to discuss nursing history. It is pre-antibiotics, so there has to be good nursing care and sterile technique for folks to survive. Plus this movie has it all - terribly sick children, a hokey doctor-nurse romance, and several dramatic scenes you don't get these days, like a bus wreck! The scene in the operating room is pretty interesting too - it makes one realize that an appendectomy was once a life threatening procedure. Overall, it is always fun to have students watch it and learn from growth of the profession and the science. It is so sad that Carole Lombard died so young - she had the potential to be a magnificent dramatic actress. Peg Farrar

Carole Lombard apparently took some advice from husband Clark Gable about Vigil In the Night. Just as Gable never even attempted a British accent in Mutiny On the Bounty, Lombard eschewed an accent as did Anne Shirley in Vigil In the Night. The rest of the cast is from Hollywood's British colony in this adaption of an A.J. Cronin novel.

Just as that other Cronin work The Citadel is dedicated to the doctors, this one is a shout out to the under-appreciated nurses. Lombard and her sister Shirley are nurses, Lombard a veteran and Shirley just getting started.

When a young diphtheria patient is lost to Shirley's inattention, Lombard takes the rap for her and the film is about Lombard trying to get back to the top of her profession. There's a bit of guilt in Lombard as she feels she may have pressured Shirley to following the same profession. Along the way Lombard meets Brian Aherne who is a similarly dedicated doctor.

They also have to deal with millionaire rake Julien Mitchell who is the head of the hospital board with the power to help and who won't do it, saying they have to economize. He even cites the war as an excuse. As Lombard so graphically points out there's no truce or cease fire in their war against disease.

It's hard to believe that the madcap Carole Lombard of My Man Godfrey is the same stoic nurse in Vigil In the Night. But carry off the role she does. In this film her acting is all in the eyes.

Not as well known as the film adaptions of other A.J. Cronin work like The Keys Of The Kingdom and Hatter's Castle, and The Citadel. But Vigil In The Night can hold its own with any of the other three.

Carole Lombard ,who at the time sadly had only two more years to live ,shines in her part of a devoted nurse,who gives it all;the first part of the movie is a bit boring,but halfway through it hits its stride ,grabs you and does not leave you till the last pictures ,which avoid the traditional mushy happy end:a nurse's work is never done.

Because "vigil in the night" is primarily,essentially ,a tribute to the nurses in England,a tribute to their admirable work,to their courage when they cure infectious patients ,to their war which is never over:for a measly salary (a nurse says) and only half a day off (at best!);today the nurses condition has improved,but their work is not yet given the credit they deserve ,so "vigil" is still relevant in 2012.The scene of the artificial respiration (by Lucy)has got something of Frank Borzage .Most of all ,in the last scenes,George Stevens makes us feel the camaraderie,the solidarity between the nurses.

Fine performances by Carole Lombard and Anne Shirley, as sisters who persue demanding nursing careers. Film is bolstered by the stoic yet compassionate doctor played by leading man, Brian Aherne. Carole Lombard fans, used to her in comedic roles, are in for a treat as this role show cases Ms. Lombards versatility as an actress.