
That Mothers Might Live
Drama
Overview
That Mothers Might Live is a 1938 American short drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann. The short is a brief account of Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis and his discovery of the need for cleanliness in 19th-century maternity wards, thereby significantly decreasing maternal mortality, and of his struggle to gain acceptance of his idea. Although Semmelweis ultimately failed in his lifetime, later scientific luminaries advanced his work in spirit like microbiologist Louis Pasteur, who provided a scientific theoretical explanation of Semmelweis' observations by helping develop the germ theory of disease and the British surgeon, Dr. Joseph Lister who revolutionized medicine putting Pasteur's research to practical use. In 1939, at the 11th Academy Awards, the film won an Oscar for Best Short Subject (One-Reel).
Top Cast


John Nesbitt
John Nesbitt
Narrator (voice)
John Nesbitt
Narrator (voice)


Shepperd Strudwick
Shepperd Strudwick
Dr. Semmelweis
Shepperd Strudwick
Dr. Semmelweis


Rudolph Anders
Rudolph Anders
Doctor (uncredited)
Rudolph Anders
Doctor (uncredited)


King Baggot
King Baggot
Passerby (uncredited)
King Baggot
Passerby (uncredited)


William Bailey
William Bailey
Passerby (uncredited)
William Bailey
Passerby (uncredited)


Barbara Bedford
Barbara Bedford
Nun Reading Book (uncredited)
Barbara Bedford
Nun Reading Book (uncredited)
Ralph Brooks
Ralph Brooks
Medical Student at Lecture (uncredited)
Ralph Brooks
Medical Student at Lecture (uncredited)


Mary Howard
Mary Howard
Young Stricken Mother (uncredited)
Mary Howard
Young Stricken Mother (uncredited)


Leonard Penn
Leonard Penn
Semmelweis' Assistant (uncredited)
Leonard Penn
Semmelweis' Assistant (uncredited)


Beatrice Roberts
Beatrice Roberts
Passerby (uncredited)
Beatrice Roberts
Passerby (uncredited)
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