PG | 1 h 44 min | Drama | 1939
“We all have to die. The tragic difference is that you know when, and we don’t. But the important thing is … to live our lives so that we can meet death whenever it comes, beautifully, finely.”
If only all doctors could speak as firmly to their terminally ill patients, so many would conquer their fear, and meet death with equanimity.
In Edmund Goulding’s film, brain surgeon Dr. Steele (George Brent), does speak these words, as firmly as he can, to his patient, Judith Traherne (Bette Davis). And it works wonders. 
Judith Traherne (Bette Davis) and her doctor Dr. Frederick Steele (George Brent) in “Dark Victory.” (MovieStillsDB)
Judy is a fun-loving, young, wealthy socialite, who behaves as quite the spoiled brat with housekeepers, maids, butlers, and servants in attendance every waking moment of her life. Her idea of having a good time is to indulge in endless leisure: playing bridge, riding horses, partying, driving fast cars, shooting, yachting, raising dogs, traveling, gossiping….