BBBB
(out of 5)
Immensely entertaining, though only erratically factual biopic of the man who introduced us to the world of germs. Paul Muni won an Oscar for his full-throttle performance as the French scientist whose theories of sterilization of obstetric instruments makes him the laughing stock of the medical community, not to mention gaining him the displeasure of the French emperor. It is not until after curing rabies, anthrax and hydrophobia (what does a guy have to do to get a little respect around here?) that the world is awakened to his theories and realizes he’s been right all along. The film gracefully avoids soap opera potholes and instead jams the story full of science and knowledge in the most entertaining fashion. Muni’s performance is often a bit too studied and carefully plotted, but William Dieterle’s smooth and energetic direction overcomes all the bumps.
USA, 1936
Directed by William Dieterle
Story and Screenplay by Sheridan Gibney, Pierre Collings
Cinematography by Tony Gaudio
Produced by Hal B. Wallis, Jack L. Warner
Music by Heinz Roemheld
Production Design by Robert M. Haas
Costume Design by Milo Anderson
Film Editing by Ralph Dawson
Cast Tags: Akim Tamiroff, Anita Louise, Dickie Moore, Donald Woods, Frank Reicher, Fritz Leiber, Halliwell Hobbes, Henry O’Neill, Herbert Corthell, Iphigenie Castiglioni, Josephine Hutchinson, Paul Muni, Porter Hall, Raymond Brown, Ruth Robinson, Walter Kingsford,
Academy Awards
Best Actor (Paul Muni as “Louis Pasteur”)
Best Writing (Original Story) (Pierre Collings, Sheridan Gibney)
Best Writing (Screenplay) (Pierre Collings, Sheridan Gibney)
Nomination
Outstanding Production (Cosmopolitan)
National Board Of Review Award
Top Ten Films
