Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940)

Set against the backdrop of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, "Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet" chronicles the groundbreaking journey of Dr. Max Ehrlich, a visionary German physician and medical scientist, who revolutionized the world of medicine. With a heart full of curiosity and a mind bustling with innovation, Ehrlich etches his name in history, pioneering breakthrough contributions that pushed the boundaries of contemporary medical science. The film opens with Ehrlich's discovery of a technique to highlight specific elements on a laboratory slide, such as tuberculosis, using the novel synthetic dyes of the era. This remarkable feat paves the way for his next milestone - the development of a serum to combat diseases like typhoid. Through slow, painstaking cultivation of natural immunities, Ehrlich innovates a method to fight such lethal diseases. But Ehrlich's relentless pursuit of knowledge doesn't stop there. He ventures into uncharted territories, proposing the radical idea of utilizing chemicals as a weapon against diseases at a time when the concept of chemotherapy was unheard of. His audacious proposition sparks controversy and criticism among his contemporaries, leading to a libel case when he's forced to defend his unconventional ideas in court. The film reaches its climax when Ehrlich, undeterred by the odds stacked against him, successfully creates the world's first synthetic antimicrobial drug - '606' or 'Salvarsan' after a staggering 606 attempts. This "magic bullet", as Ehrlich fondly dubs it, is designed to selectively target and annihilate disease-causing microorganisms, proving his ideas correct and leaving an indelible mark on medical science. "Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet" is a compelling cinematic journey, illuminating the path of an extraordinary man who dared to dream beyond the confines of his time, forever altering the course of modern medicine.

Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet is a drama movie featuring Edward G. Robinson and directed by William Dieterle.

Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet is currently streaming on TCM.