THE MARCH OF SCIENCE

Southland Times, Issue 23047, 14 November 1936, Page 9

THE MARCH OF SCIENCE

“THE STORY OF LOUIS PASTEUR” SPLENDID ACTING A dramatic and enthralling story of a man’s fight against bigotry and ignorance, “The Story of Louis Pasteur” was shown to the Press at a private screening in the Majestic Theatre yesterday. Of all subjects for film treatment, that of microbes and asepsis and anti-toxins might have been thought the most refractory. Yet “The Story of Louis Pasteur” seizes on these elements and weaves them into a picture which will stand among the most notable of 1936. Louis Pasteur’s career has here been a little embroidered at the fringes with glowing pastel colours of romance; but in essentials it gives a true and faithful account of the things the French scientist fought for. The discovery of germs as the source of disease, the development of a vaccine against anthrax, and the way in which the medical profession of the day was riven to its foundations on the question of a rabies serum —such matters as these, which the average .person has regarded as subjects for medical men and pedants, become an absorbing, brilliant dramatic record of events. The story, however, is not just one of the microscope and the laboratory. The picture dramatizes Pasteur’s battle—a battle in which neither side gave, nor expected, quarter—against the ignorance, supei’stition and prejudice of the times. Physicians high in the favour of the court branded him as a charlatan and fought his every move. So powerful were they that they had him banished from Paris. But this sterling character could not be swayed from his work to save humanity, even against its own wish. An audience cannot remain aloof from such a story. By the time the final scene has been reached, and Pasteur, triumphant, is greeted by the admiring, almost reverent, acclaim of the French Academy of Medicine, one has so fully identified one’s self with the story that one feels a thrill of deeply emotional response. This climax, in fact, reaches a rare pitch of sincerity and exaltation. Pasteur’s address to the members of the academy, his appeal to young doctors and scientists to carry on their work despite rebuffs, is one that will be remembered among the few great moments that the screen has given. Paul Muni contributes much to the effect of the film through his quiet yet entirely convincing representation of the title role. Taking chief place in the brilliant supporting cast is Josephine Hutchinson, who plays Mme. Pasteur, the wife who stood staunchly beside the chemist through all his trials and, by her sympathy, aided him in his work. Anita Louise as Pasteur’s daughter and Donald Woods as a young doctor supply an unobtrusive, but very effective, romantic motif to the drama of the story. William Dieterle has given the production fine and artistic direction. ’