The Great Moment (Blu-ray)

Legendary filmmaker Preston Sturges, the writer/director of The Great McGinty, Christmas in July, The Lady Eve and Sullivan’s Travels, turns to a more serious subject matter focusing on one of the great medical discoveries in modern history. The Great Moment takes inspiration from the true-life story of Dr. William Morton (Joel McCrea, Union Pacific, The Palm Beach Story), a dedicated dentist who discovers ether, otherwise known as anesthesia, in 1846. The doctor’s great contribution to humanity, the tribulations he later faced sharing his knowledge, and his reluctance to capitalize on his discovery, are meticulously laced with typical Preston Sturges humor and drama. The stellar cast includes Betty Field (The Shepherd of the Hills), Harry Carey (The Spoilers), William Demarest (Easy Living), Franklin Pangborn (The Bank Dick) and Porter Hall (Murder, He Says).