The White Parade

The White Parade

Year: 1934

Runtime: 80 mins

Language: English

Director: Irving Cummings

Drama

The film follows a group of ambitious women training to become nurses at a hospital school, enduring rigorous physical and mental discipline to earn their place in the 'White Parade.' Centered on June Arden, who falls in love with Ronald Hall III, the story also weaves the triumphs, setbacks, humor and tears of her fellow trainees and forged ties.

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Timeline & Setting – The White Parade (1934)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The White Parade (1934). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1907

Set in 1907, the story captures the early days of formal nursing education and professional training for women. It reflects a society where growing opportunities for women clash with traditional expectations around marriage and domestic life. Florence Nightingale's legacy is referenced as an inspiration for the trainee nurses as they pursue their vocation.

Location

Mitchell-Reed School for Nurses, city hospital, train station

The drama centers around the Mitchell-Reed School for Nurses and the nearby hospital where students train and care for patients. Several scenes unfold at the train station when June meets Ronald, highlighting the intersection of education, class, and romance. The hospital environment is shown as rigorous, guided by mentors like Sailor Roberts and Dr. Thorne who shape the students' professional paths.

🎓 Education 🏥 Hospital 🚆 Travel

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:49

Main Characters – The White Parade (1934)

Meet the key characters of The White Parade (1934), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

June Arden (Loretta Young)

In 1907, June pursues nursing with ambition, aiming to follow Florence Nightingale. She balances demanding coursework with a developing romance with Ronald Hall III. Ultimately, she chooses nursing over marriage, reaffirming her commitment to patient care.

🎓 Protagonist 💖 Romance 🩺 Nursing

Gertrude Mack (Astrid Allwyn)

A fellow student who frequently interferes in others' affairs, often creating tension within the cohort. Her competitive nature surfaces as she clashes with peers, including June. By graduation, she apologizes to June, showing a moment of growth.

🎭 Interference 🎓 Ambition

Ronald Hall III (John Boles)

A wealthy polo player who becomes June's romantic interest. His expectations include abandoning nursing for marriage, and the relationship eventually ends as June commits to her profession.

💼 Wealth 💔 Romance

Zita Scofield (Dorothy Wilson)

A student who is reprimanded for slow performance and becomes entangled in a conflict with Dr. Jim Moore. She attempts suicide with anesthetics but is saved by surgeon Dr. Thorne and Sailor Roberts; her life is later supported by the faculty as she continues in the program.

🎯 Ambition 💊 Risk

Dr. Thorne (Frank Conroy)

A physician who becomes an advocate for the students, notably saving Zita and urging June to remain enrolled. He represents a supportive, professional mentor who values patient care and education over personal appearances.

🏥 Medical 🤝 Mentor

Sailor Roberts (Jane Darwell)

Head nurse who oversees the students and supports the path of those who prove their dedication. Alongside Dr. Thorne, she helps navigate the crises that threaten a student's ability to graduate.

🌊 Authority 🧭 Leadership

Miss Harrington (Sara Haden)

A nursing administrator or instructor responsible for guiding the training and enforcing standards within the program.

📚 Administration 🧭 Discipline

Una Mellon (Joyce Compton)

A supporting character within the nurse-training environment; part of the broader social dynamics surrounding the students.

🎀 Friend 🎭 Social

Glenda Farley (Muriel Kirkland)

A minor character within the school/hospital setting who appears in the supporting ensemble around the nursing program.

🎭 Minor Role 🕊️ Social

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:49

Major Themes – The White Parade (1934)

Explore the central themes of The White Parade (1934), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Duty

June's journey centers on balancing a demanding curriculum with a developing romance. The narrative explores how professional commitment can compete with personal desires. Ultimately, June's choice to pursue nursing over marriage emphasizes the primacy of duty in her life.

🩺 Nursing

The film highlights rigorous clinical training and mentorship. Dr. Thorne and Sailor Roberts champion June's continued enrollment despite setbacks, underscoring the ethical duty to patients. The story portrays nursing as a serious vocation demanding resilience and care.

🌟 Empowerment

Women in the story pursue a respected profession during a era when societal norms often limited their roles. Graduation becomes a milestone of autonomy and professional identity, not merely a personal victory. Mentorship and perseverance drive the characters toward personal and vocational growth.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:49

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The White Parade Summary

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The White Parade Summary

The White Parade Timeline

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The White Parade Timeline

More About The White Parade

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