That Mothers Might Live (1938)
That Mothers Might Live is a 1938 American short drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann. The short is a brief account of Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis and his discovery of the need for cleanliness in 19th-century maternity wards, thereby significantly decreasing maternal mortality, and of his struggle to gain acceptance of his idea. Although Semmelweis ultimately failed in his lifetime, later scientific luminaries advanced his work in spirit like microbiologist Louis Pasteur, who provided a scientific theoretical explanation of Semmelweis' observations by helping develop the germ theory of disease and the British surgeon, Dr. Joseph Lister who revolutionized medicine putting Pasteur's research to practical use. In 1939, at the 11th Academy Awards, the film won an Oscar for Best Short Subject (One-Reel).
Released: Apr 30, 1938
Runtime: 10 minutes
Genre: Drama
Stars: John Nesbitt, Shepperd Strudwick, Rudolph Anders, King Baggot, William Bailey, Barbara Bedford
Crew: Fred Zinnemann (Director), Harold Rosson (Director of Photography), George Bassman (Orchestrator), Herman Boxer (Screenplay), David Snell (Music), Leonid Raab (Orchestrator)