Secrets of a Nurse
“A STARTLING CONFESSION THAT COULD SAVE THE MAN SHE LOVED...BUT HER PROFESSIONAL PLEDGE SWORE HER TO SILENCE!”
Synopsis
This Universal programmer was based on a Collier's Magazine story by journalist Quentin Reynolds. This story in turn was ostensibly based on a true incident, in which a gangster "returned from the dead" to save an innocent young man from the electric chair. The nurse of the film's title is Katharine McDonald, who falls in love with her prizefighter-patient Lee Burke as he recovers from a beating received in a fixed prizefight. Katharine must fend off the advances of criminal attorney John Dodge, another patient who also loves her and becomes jealous of Lee. But when Lee is framed for the murder of his disgruntled manager, Slice, by a henchman of the fight-fix leader, Joe Largo, Dodge takes on his defense and works with Katherine to discover the real killer. Convicted and sentenced to death, Burke is about to walk the "last mile", as Katharine encourages mortally wounded Largo to a deathbed confession.
Top Cast
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Helen Mack
Nurse Katherine 'Mack' MacDonald
Dick Foran
'Killer' Lee Burke
Edmund Lowe
John Dodge
Leon Ames
Joe Largo
Horace McMahon
Larry Carson
Paul Hurst
Arlington Bysshe 'Slice' Cavanaugh
David Oliver
'Spud', the valet
Samuel S. Hinds
Judge Corrigan
Clarence Muse
'Tiger', Lee's Handler
Alan Ladd
Hospital Orderly (uncredited)
Release History & Theatrical Window
December 2, 1938
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Arthur Lubin
- Screenplay & Story
- Lester Cole, Thomas Lennon
- Original Title
- Secrets of a Nurse
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 15m
- Production Studios
- Universal Pictures
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Arthur Lubin
Lester Cole, Thomas Lennon, Quentin Reynolds
Department Leadership Roster
Arthur Lubin
Director
Lester Cole
Screenplay
Thomas Lennon
Screenplay
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Secrets of a Nurse.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Secrets of a Nurse
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Secrets of a Nurse about?
This Universal programmer was based on a Collier's Magazine story by journalist Quentin Reynolds. This story in turn was ostensibly based on a true incident, in which a gangster "returned from the dead" to save an innocent young man from the electric chair. The nurse of the film's title is Katharine McDonald, who falls in love with her prizefighter-patient Lee Burke as he recovers from a beating received in a fixed prizefight. Katharine must fend off the advances of criminal attorney John Dodge, another patient who also loves her and becomes jealous of Lee. But when Lee is framed for the murder of his disgruntled manager, Slice, by a henchman of the fight-fix leader, Joe Largo, Dodge takes on his defense and works with Katherine to discover the real killer. Convicted and sentenced to death, Burke is about to walk the "last mile", as Katharine encourages mortally wounded Largo to a deathbed confession.
Who directed Secrets of a Nurse?
Secrets of a Nurse was directed by Arthur Lubin.
Who stars in Secrets of a Nurse?
The principal cast of Secrets of a Nurse includes Helen Mack, Dick Foran, Edmund Lowe, Leon Ames, Horace McMahon.
When was Secrets of a Nurse released and how long is it?
Secrets of a Nurse was released in 1938 with a total runtime of 1h 15m.