Green Light

Director: Frank Borzage Frank Borzage

Overview

When Errol Flynn insisted that Warner Bros. cook up a non-swashbuckler for his next vehicle, the result was Green Light. Based on a novel by Lloyd C. Douglas (Magnificent Obsession, The Robe etc.), the film tells the story of a young surgeon (Flynn) who willingly takes blame for a fatal mistake committed by an older doctor (Henry O'Neill). Disgraced, Flynn takes the near-suicidal assignment of testing a new vaccine for spotted fever; to ascertain the serum's effectiveness, he must expose himself to the disease. Flynn's fiancee (Anita Louise), having learned that her lover was not responsible for the older doctor's error, is reunited with Flynn as he lies recuperating from the fever. Weaving in and out of Green Light is the kindly old spiritual leader (Cedric Hardwicke) who espouses the values of sacrifice and faith. Green Light did acceptable box office business, but Errol Flynn was back at his sword-wielding best in his next film, The Prince and the Pauper.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/16/2010
UPC:	0883316290583
Original Release:	1937
Rating:	NR
Source:	Warner Archives
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:25:00
Sales rank:	45,981

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Errol Flynn	Dr. Newell Paige
Anita Louise	Phyllis Dexter
Margaret Lindsay	Frances Ogilvie
Henry O'Neill	Dr. Endicott
Cedric Hardwicke	Dean Harcourt
Walter Abel	Dr. John Stafford
Spring Byington	Mrs. Dexter
Erin O'Brien-Moore	Pat Arlen
Henry Kolker	Dr. Lane
Pierre Watkin	Dr. Booth
Granville Bates	Sheriff
Russell Simpson	Sheep Man
Myrtle Stedman	Nurse
Shirley Lloyd	Nurse
Wade Boteler	Traffic Cop
Jim Pierce	Harcourt's Chauffeur,Harcourt's Chauffeur
Milt Kibbee	Other Man,Other Man
Jim Thorpe	Indian
Bess Flowers	Actor

Technical Credits

Henry Blanke	Producer
Frank Borzage	Director
Fred Jackman	Special Effects
H.F. Koenekamp	Special Effects
Willard Van Enger	Special Effects

Editorial Reviews

There's a lot of hooey in Green Light, but fortunately it's presented in such an appealing way that most people will be glad to overlook it. Be forewarned: Light has the kind of script that definitely has to be taken with a grain of salt -- or perhaps even a whole shaker full. Granted, many people do selfless things, but it's difficult to believe that Errol Flynn's young surgeon would willing sacrifice his entire career by taking the blame for a fatal mistake made by another surgeon. (This doesn't even get into the question of what might happen in the culpable surgeon should go on to make another fatal mistake in the future.) And there are several other plot points that strain credulity. However, if one accepts these as being incredible and treats the film as a fable, one can get over these rather bumpy patches. Certainly Flynn makes it worth sticking with the film. Clearly happy to be doing something non-swashbuckling, Flynn turns in a very fine, captivating performance. Anita Louise is very good as his eventual paramour, Spring Byington is radiant in a supporting role, and Cedric Hardwicke does well as the voice of religion. All of this is held together by the excellent direction of Frank Borzage, who clearly has no problem with the believability of the story.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler