Vigil in the Night

Nurse Anne Lee arrives at understaffed, underfunded Hepperton General Hospital with an eagerness to serve. Dealing with an epidemic, a multicasualty bus accident and other emergencies, she'll find opportunities to do so again and again. She'll also find something else: redemption for a fatal past error for which she, although innocent, accepted the blame.

Famed comedienne Carole Lombard took on an atypically serious role in this drama set in England, sensitively directed by George Stevens (at a time when he was also known for lighter fare) and based on a novel by Scottish physican and writer A. J. Cronin (The Citadel).

A dedicated nurse in a British hospital takes a nervous rookie under her wing. When the new nurse messes up and causes a patient's death, she protects her and loses her job. She eventually finds work at another bigger and more rundown hospital and there falls in love with a handsome young doctor. Trouble comes in the form of a lustful chief of staff who makes a play for the nurse. When she spurns him, he arranges to have her fired. Still determined to practice her profession the nurse and her fledgling assistant start their own service. Later a terrible epidemic strikes and she and her helper suddenly find themselves in demand at the hospital. There, the younger nurse redeems herself by making a great sacrifice and her mentor's own selfless devotion is finally recognized.