Men in White

Men in White (1933), a play by Sidney Kingsley. [ Broadhurst Theatre, 351 perf.; Pulitzer Prize.] George Ferguson (Alexander Kirkland) is a young, idealistic intern whose rich fiancée, Laura Hudson (Margaret Barker), cannot understand his self‐sacrificing dedication. She is willing to buy his advancement in his profession if he will spend more time with her. But their disagreement comes to a head when Laura discovers that George has had an affair with Barbara Dennin (Phoebe Brand) who has died following an abortion. George leaves to study surgery in Vienna. The first success for both Kingsley and the Group Theatre, much of its success was attributed to the often graphically realistic production, directed by Lee Strasberg, and to the then fresh theme. Mordecai Gorelik's settings were particularly memorable, and the outstanding cast also included Morris Carnovsky, Robert Lewis, Sanford Meisner, Art Smith, and Ruth Nelson. Percy Hammond of the Herald Tribune called it “an honest, tricky, and propaganda show that can be attended without a sacrifice of intelligence.”