Although the film was meant as a starring role and a breakthrough role for James Stephenson, the real star of this film was Geraldine Fitzgerald doing a part that Warner Brothers queens Bette Davis and Olivia deHavilland might have done. In fact as well as Fitzgerald did with this I think Olivia would have been perfect for the part.
No big names star in Shining Victory a work by A.J.Cronin who did the more well known and successful The Citadel. Cronin specialized in medical dramas, Lloyd C. Douglas without the religious overtones. Still the lack of star power did make this film from the Warner Brothers B picture unit a tad more realistic.
Shining Victory deals with mental illness and specifically Stephenson's research into curing it chemically. He's self absorbed in his work and does not take kindly to being assigned a female doctor fresh from medical school in Geraldine Fitzgerald. As for Fitzgerald she wants to be a medical missionary in China and she's just looking to get some experience for her resume. Stephenson only very gradually notices her.
But lurking in the background is another not quite so balanced woman in Barbara O'Neil who's got a thing for Stephenson. Fitzgerald just hopes and waits, but O'Neil takes action which leads to the climax.
A lot of the British colony of supporting players got into this film, folks like Donald Crisp and Montagu Love playing older mentors for Stephenson. There is a touching performance by Leonard Mudie as one of Stephenson's guinea pig patients. And another that really stands out is one by British music hall comedian Billy Bevan as a smarmy pharmaceutical salesperson who is making an offer to Stephenson for himself and his formula like a carnival pitchman.
Even though it gets melodramatic especially at the climax Shining Victory is a fine medical drama film and sadly the farewell performance of James Stephenson.
