White Corridors

White Corridors was based on Yeoman Hospital, a novel by Helen Ashton. Told episodically, the story concentrates on the day-to-day activities in a busy hospital, where research pathologist Neil Marriner (James Donald) conducts experiments in the hopes of curing diseases impervious to penicillin. Marriner is aided in this endeavor by lady surgeon Dr. Sophie Dean (Googie Withers), who happens to be in love with him. After a tragedy occurs for which Marriner holds himself responsible, the film builds steadily to an exciting climax involving a untested -- and potentially dangerous -- serum. The top-rank British supporting cast includes Barry Jones, Moira Lister, Petula Clark, Basil Radford, Dagmar (later Dana) Wynter, Bernard Lee, and, in a minor role, future "Dr. Who" Patrick Troughton.

James Donald is "Dr. Marriner", a trailblazing surgeon in 1950s England, who is working on a method of treating infections that resist penicillin. He is optimistic that he can develop something in time to save the life of a young boy who is fighting septicaemia. Meantime, aspiring surgeon "Sophie" (Googie Withers) is facing a dilemma of her own. She is in love with the doctor, but has the opportunity to relocate to a London hospital where her career can blossom more fully. Things come to an head when "Marriner" becomes accidentally infected, too - and she has to make a tough decision that could, quite literally, kill or cure. It's maybe a bit too long, this, but for the most part is glides along well with some strong leading characterisations to support this more substantial plot. The supporting cast of British household names - Godfrey Searle, Petula Clark and Moira Lister add flesh to the bones, and there are a couple of sub-plots to let us come up for air every now and again from the main, quite thought provoking, narrative. Perhaps the ending is a little too predictable, but still - it's worth a watch.