Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet

Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet is a 1940 film about the true story of one of the few doctors who did not find it immoral to search for a drug that would cure syphilis. Directed by William Dieterle. Written by John Huston, Heinz Herald, and Norman Burnstine. Two women stood by him while all the world jeered...a world he was trying to save! Dr. Paul Ehrlich I’m trying to find magic bullets with which to fight human diseases. We must search for magic bullets. We must strike the parasites, and the parasites only, if possible, and to do this, we must learn to aim with chemical substances! I feel it is my duty as a doctor to save the lives of these children. Nothing on earth can prevent me from carrying out my duty. [about his fellow doctors] To argue with them is like discussing colors with the color-blind. [His final message, on his deathbed, to his research team] There will be epidemics of greed, hate and ignorance. We must fight them in life as we fought syphilis in the laboratory. We must fight, fight. We must never, never stop fighting. Dialogue Dr. Paul Ehrlich: I hope this horse is good and strong. H's going to be very sick. Stable Boy: He used to be a racehorse, doctor - a champion! Dr. Emil Von Behring: If this horse does what we want him to, he'll be the most famous horse in the world. Stable Boy: He's too old to race again. Dr. Paul Ehrlich: Well, this is a race against death. Becker: You assistants seem to be doing all the work. What does Dr. Ehrlich do? Dr. Hata: He thinks! Defense Attorney: So, while no cures can be attributed to '606,' 38 deaths resulted from its use? Dr. Emil Von Behring: 39. Defense Attorney: 39? You know of another death? Dr. Emil Von Behring: Yes, syphilis. The death of syphilis itself. Dr. Hans Wolfert: Dr. von Behring you have written and lectured against the Ehrlich theory. Dr. Emil Von Behring: Yes, I did, Dr. Wolfert, but you must understand it is the task of science to discover the truth. There is no shame attached to the recognition of error. Dr. Paul Ehrlich: I want no legal advice. This is a question of truth. I'm only trying to help the court understand the real nature of these deaths. Judge: Dr. Ehrlich, I'm afraid your observations are irrelevant to this issue. Dr. Paul Ehrlich: [In perplexed astonishment] Irrelevant?... Irrelevant? Professor Hartmann: [Angrily] Ehrlich! Dr. Paul Ehrlich: Yes? Professor Hartmann: You seem in a great hurry. Dr. Paul Ehrlich: Well, I must get back to the hospital. Professor Hartmann: If I were you, I wouldn't bother. Dr. Paul Ehrlich: Why not? Professor Hartmann: Because you are no longer employed there. Cast Edward G. Robinson - Dr. Paul Ehrlich Ruth Gordon - Hedwig Ehrlich Otto Kruger - Dr. Emil von Behring Donald Crisp - Minister Althoff Maria Ouspenskaya - Franziska Speyer Montagu Love - Professor Hartman Sig Ruman - Dr. Hans Wolfert Donald Meek - Mittelmeyer Henry O'Neill - Dr. Lentz Albert Bassermann - Dr. Robert Koch Edward Norris - Dr. Morgenroth Harry Davenport - Judge Louis Calhern - Dr. Brockdorf Louis Jean Heydt - Dr. Kunze Charles Halton - Sensenbrenner Irving Bacon - Becker Douglas Wood - Speidler Frank Mayo - Assistant (uncredited) Frank Reicher - Old Man (uncredited) Wilhelm Von Brincken - Officer (uncredited) Ludwig Hardt - Court Clerk (uncredited) External links 0032413 Category:1940 American films Category:American biographical drama films Category:Films set in Germany Category:Films based on true stories Category:Films about disease Category:Films about medical doctors Category:Films directed by William Dieterle Category:1940 English-language films Category:Films set in the 1880s Category:Films set in the 1890s Category:Films set in the 1900s Category:Films set in the 1910s