Sister Kenny

film by Nichols and Gage [1946]

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June 17, 2026

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The 1946 film Sister Kenny, directed by Dudley Nichols and starring Rosalind Russell, is a biographical drama. It tells the story of Australian nurse Elizabeth Kenny, who developed an alternative method for treating polio. Kenny's approach focused on using heat and physical therapy to alleviate pain and restore function, rather than the standard immobilization techniques of the time. The film highlights her struggles to gain acceptance for her innovative methods within the medical community. Russell received an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of Sister Kenny.

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Rosalind Russell
…playing the title role in Sister Kenny (1946), about the Australian nurse Elizabeth Kenny, who developed a novel way to treat infantile paralysis. Russell appeared opposite Michael Redgrave in the film version of Eugene O’Neill’s Mourning Becomes Electra (1947), garnering another Oscar nomination.
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…playing the title role in Sister Kenny (1946), about the Australian nurse Elizabeth Kenny, who developed a novel way to treat infantile paralysis. Russell appeared opposite Michael Redgrave in the film version of Eugene O’Neill’s Mourning Becomes Electra (1947), garnering another Oscar nomination.
Read More