The Right to Live

... and although the story might even seem clichéd today, during the first days of the enforcement of the production code I'm surprised this one got past the censors.

Stella (Josephine Hutchinson) marries free spirited wealthy aviator Maurice Trent (Colin Clive), and all seems well until one day a plane crash steals Maurice's ability to walk and apparently even to sit for long periods - you never see him in a wheelchair. He's either in bed or in a kind of rolling bed.

Maurice's doctor (Leo G. Carroll as Dr. Harvester) and family friend (Aubrey Smith as Major Licondra) decide to hide the truth from Maurice - that he will always be as he is. This is because Maurice had such a love of life prior to the accident that they are afraid of his reaction if he finds out existence is to be a prison for him, perhaps into old age.

Maurice takes his bitterness and depression out on his nurse - and then apologizes - telling her he must release his bitterness on her so that his wife sees only his sunny side. Maurice also invites his brother Colin (George Brent) to make an extended visit and keep his wife entertained with nights on the town that he would be having with her if not for his invalid condition, which at this point he still considers temporary.

Stella falls for Colin, and both wrestle with the right thing to do. She could stay with Maurice - who could live perhaps for decades - but she doesn't want her affection for him to turn to resentment. She could follow her passion and go with Colin, but that would be an abrupt crushing blow to Maurice coupled with the certainty that he will soon know his condition is permanent. Any decision has both a kindness and a cruelty to it from the aspect of its effect on Maurice. How does this play out? Watch and find out.

Considering the production code's strict enforcement during this time the film is particularly daring in the sense that it deals realistically and sympathetically with the impact on the soul of being suddenly transformed from a vigorous person into an invalid with no hope.