Vigil in the Night

Vigil in the Night

Year: 1940

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: English

Director: George Stevens

Drama

“IT TAKES A LOT TO MAKE ME LOVE A MAN In The Face Of All I Know About Them!” A good nurse ruins her career by covering up for her sister’s careless mistake.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Vigil in the Night (1940)

Trace every key event in Vigil in the Night (1940) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Anne takes the blame and leaves her hospital

Anne Lee takes the blame for a fatal error made by her sister Lucy and is forced to leave the hospital where they both work. She moves to Hepperton and secures a position at a different, chronically underfunded hospital. Her self-sacrifice launches the central thread of her professional journey.

shortly after Hepperton
2

Anne joins a struggling Hepperton hospital

At the Hepperton hospital, Anne discovers the facility is run on tight funds and with too few staff, thanks to Bowley's tight control. She remains determined to maintain medical standards despite the strain. Her presence begins to disturb the hospital's existing dynamics.

early in tenure Hepperton Hospital
3

The swab incident and validation

During a gallery observation of Bowley's surgery, Anne notices a surgical swab left inside a patient and speaks up. Her supervisor Matron East reprimands her for speaking out. Dr. Prescott checks the patient and confirms her warning, validating her vigilance.

during the surgery viewing Hepperton Hospital, Operating Theatre
4

Bus accident and rising reputation

Anne and Matron East are involved in a bus accident; Dr. Prescott attends to the injured and is impressed by Anne's conduct. Her professional reputation grows as a result, and she receives a promotion.

shortly after the swab incident Hepperton
5

Bowley pursues Anne; wife threatens scandal

Bowley becomes attracted to Anne and offers her a position as his personal nurse, leveraging his wealth and influence. His wife threatens to cause a public scandal if Anne remains employed, placing Anne in a precarious position. Matron East cannot fully oppose Bowley's wishes.

after promotion Hepperton Hospital
6

Anne resigns under pressure

Under pressure from Bowley and his wife, Anne resigns from the Hepperton hospital. The decision reflects the clash between professional duty and the threat of public scandal. She moves on to new opportunities.

following the offer and pressure Hepperton Hospital
7

Anne goes to London; Lucy's new life

Anne travels to London, where her now-separated sister Lucy is working as a nurse at a fashionable rest home. Lucy has abandoned her husband Joe Shand after his financial troubles. Their different paths begin to diverge while remaining connected by family ties.

after Anne's resignation London
8

Actress's suicide and subsequent investigation

A famous actress commits suicide under Lucy's care at the rest home. The rest home's owner and the doctor who prescribed narcotics have a shady history together. Dr. Prescott investigates and Lucy is cleared of wrongdoing.

soon after arrival London rest home
9

Epidemic hits Hepperton

A deadly epidemic breaks out in Hepperton, stretching the hospital's resources and staff. Anne and Lucy rush back to provide assistance, while Prescott travels to Bowley to obtain funds.

during the outbreak Hepperton
10

Anne funds isolation ward

Anne, taking initiative, authorises purchases to establish a new isolation ward and bills Bowley for them. Bowley is outraged and initially refuses to fund the projects.

during the outbreak Hepperton Hospital
11

Bowley's reversal after his son is infected

Bowley's wife informs him that their young son has contracted the disease, forcing a reversal in his stance. He agrees to support hospital improvements and funding.

during the outbreak Bowley's home
12

Lucy cares for Bowley II and dies

Lucy tends to Bowley II through the night and helps stabilize the boy, but she contracts the disease herself and dies. Before dying, she tells Anne that she had warned their former hospital about the fatality.

night of the outbreak Hepperton hospital
13

Bowley plans hospital improvements

A grateful Bowley develops plans for hospital improvements that exceed Prescott's hopes. The outbreak's end marks a turning point for the hospital's future and for Anne's career.

after Lucy's death Hepperton

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 12:31

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Vigil in the Night

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