The White Parade (1934)

60% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
33% of users liked it
(69 ratings)

Dedicated to "the memory of Florence Nightingale," White Parade might have been better dedicated to the cliche experts at Fox Studios who put this highly entertaining, highly predictable film together. The film chronicles the probationary period of a new team of student nurses in a midwestern… More Dedicated to "the memory of Florence Nightingale," White Parade might have been better dedicated to the cliche experts at Fox Studios who put this highly entertaining, highly predictable film together. The film chronicles the probationary period of a new team of student nurses in a midwestern hospital. Loretta Young has top billing, so we know she'll make first cut. In fact, Young is so magnificent she practically walks on water; even when offered the opportunity of marrying wealthy John Boles, she chooses to devote her life to nursing. Adapted from a novel by Ryan James, The White Parade managed to cop an Academy Award Nomination for Best Picture of 1934--one of eleven nominees that lost to It Happened One Night. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Irving Cummings
Written By: Rian James
Genres: Drama, Classics

In Theaters: Nov 16, 1934 Wide

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Loretta Young is altogether convincing as the sympathetic femme novitiate who has consecrated herself to her profession. Dorothy Wilson is a fine little actress.
Andre Sennwald, New York Times
The White Parade is lacking in the qualities which might have made it a fine and stirring drama.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Life at a nurses' training school in the Midwest is portrayed with the usual 1930s woman-picture conventions fully intact.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Starring Loretta Young, this Best Picture Oscar nominee belongs to a cycle of Hollywood films about doctors and nurses.
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
Its somewhat unlikely [Best Picture] nomination is neither an embarrassment to the Oscars ... nor a strong credit to the judgment of the Academy.