Sister Kenny (1946)

63% of users liked it
(139 ratings)

We prefer Rosalind Russell when she's making us laugh; judging by such films as Mourning Becomes Electra and The Velvet Touch, Russell preferred herself in heavy dramatics. In Sister Kenny, Rosalind Russell is all grim determination and pursed lips as Elizabeth Kenny, tireless battler of infantile… More We prefer Rosalind Russell when she's making us laugh; judging by such films as Mourning Becomes Electra and The Velvet Touch, Russell preferred herself in heavy dramatics. In Sister Kenny, Rosalind Russell is all grim determination and pursed lips as Elizabeth Kenny, tireless battler of infantile paralysis. It is in the Australian outback that nurse Kenny first confronts the debilitating illness. Forsaking her private life (as well as any romantic entanglements), Kenny battles with the medical establishment in order to bring her radical theories towards conquering the disease to the public. Her ultimate triumph is solidified upon the formation of Minneapolis' Kenny Institute. Based on Elizabeth Kenny's autobiography, A solid piece of film craftsmanship, Sister Kenny was the sort of glossy prestige picture that always made Hollywood look good in the eyes of its staunchest critics; it was also the sort of picture that almost invariably lost a fortune at the box office (Sister Kenny took a bath to the tune of $660,000). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 56 min.
Directed By: Dudley Nichols
Written By: Dudley Nichols
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 10, 1946 Wide

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Rosalind Russell received her second Best Actress Oscar nomination for this solemn but inspiring biopic of the heroic Aussie nurse.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It works as inspirational entertainment.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Inspiring story of the Australian nurse who bucked the system and arrogant short sighted doctors to effect real change in the treatment of polio. Roz is great in the title role.
Red L

Story of a nurse who develops a treatment for polio in the early 20th century. Of course even in 1946, they have Hollywooded up the movie. Kenny's methods are not accepted by the pig-headed doctors, and she has to fight for 30 years to get her methods accepted.

Cast

            Rosalind Russell as Elizabeth Kenny

            Alexander Knox as Dr. Aeneas McDonnell

            Dean Jagger as Kevin Connors

            Philip Merivale as Dr. Brack

            Beulah Bondi as Mary Kenny

            Charles Dingle as Michael Kenny

            Dorothy Peterson as Agnes

            John Litel as Medical Director

            Doreen McCann as Dorrie

            Fay Helm as Mrs. McIntyre

            Charles Kemper as Mr. McIntyre

            Gertrude Astor
            
            Egon Brecher as Frenchman

            Lee Bonnell as Reporter

            Virginia Brissac as Mrs. Johnson

            Ellen Corby
            
            Franklin Farnum as Doctor

            Mary Gordon
            
            Karolyn Grimes
            
            Charles Halton as Mr. Smith

            Lumsden Hare as Dr. Shadrack

            Gloria Holden as Mrs. McDonnell

            Brandon Hurst
            
            Alan Lee as Farm Hand

            Nan Leslie as Nurse

            Doris Lloyd as Matron

            Frank Reicher as Chuter

            Paul Stanton as Dr. Gideon

            Regis Toomey
            
            Lloyd Ingraham as Farmer

            David Martinson as Cobbler

            Daphne Moore as Waitress
See full cast