Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940)

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Edward G. Robinson portrays real-life German medical researcher Paul Erlich, the man who discovered and perfected "Formula 606," the cure for syphilis. The world at large would prefer to treat the disease as though it does not exist, so Erlich spends most of his life underfunded and frustrated. A… More Edward G. Robinson portrays real-life German medical researcher Paul Erlich, the man who discovered and perfected "Formula 606," the cure for syphilis. The world at large would prefer to treat the disease as though it does not exist, so Erlich spends most of his life underfunded and frustrated. A no-nonsense dowager (Maria Ouspenskaya) has faith in Erlich, however, and thus provides the necessary funds to develop Formula 606. Once the serum is released to the public, Erlich's reputation is threatened when a handful of syphilitics die, ostensibly as a result of the "cure." Brought up on criminal charges, Erlich is exonerated by his old colleague Dr. Von Behring (Otto Kruger). Considered daring in its time for its exploration of a "taboo" subject, Dr. Erlich's Magic Bullet holds up as one of Warner Bros.' most solid biopics, with a convincing performance from a nearly unrecognizable Edward G. Robinson. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: William Dieterle
Genres: Drama, Classics, Special Interest

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1940 Wide
Studio: Unknown

Critic Reviews

Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
True story movie that celebrates scientists and scientific progress.

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Anthony V

An amazing tale of breaking through cultural taboos to do the right thing.

Cast

            Edward G. Robinson as Dr. Paul Ehrlich

            Ruth Gordon as Mrs. Ehrlich

            Otto Kruger as Dr. Emil Von Behring

            Donald Crisp as Minister Althoff

            Maria Ouspenskaya as Franziska Speyer

            Albert Basserman as Dr. Robert Koch

            Montagu Love as Prof. Hartmann

            Sig Rumann as Dr. Hans Wolfert

            Donald Meek as Mittlemeyer

            Henry O'Neill as Dr. Lentz

            Edward Norris as Dr. Morgenroth

            Harry Davenport as Judge

            Louis Calhern as Dr. Brockdorf

            Louis Jean Heydt as Dr. Kunze

            Charles Halton as Sensenbrenner

            Irving Bacon as Becker

            Douglas Wood as Speidler

            Theodore von Eltz as Dr. Kraus

            Hermine Sterler as Miss Marquardt

            Herbert Anderson as Assistant

            Egon Brecher as Martl

            Cliff Clark as Haupt

            John Hamilton as Hirsch

            Paul Harvey as Defense Attorney

            Stuart Holmes as Male Nurse

            Frank Lackteen as Arab Man

            Torben Meyer as Kadereit

            Frank Reicher as Old Doctor

            Robert Strange as Koerner

            Ann E. Todd as Marianne

            Louis V. Arco as Dr. Bertheim

            Ernst Hausman as Hans Weisgart

            Wilfred Hari as Dr. Hata
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