Dr. Adler Frenchburg Kentucky 1944

This is a small part of a video shot by a Hollywood company in 1944 to help convince American audiences that the World War II refugees who were immigrating were, collectively, a very positive thing for the U.S.A. Some very famous names were included in the video, like Thomas Mann and Albert Einstein.

This brief segment focuses on my father, Richard F. Adler MD, and also includes a short sequence with my mother, Alice Blau Adler MD. They were both Viennese who got out after the Anschluss, but they didn't meet until they came to the US. They married on July 4, 1943, and this film was shot in early 1944. It shows what a remarkable decision my father made in choosing to practice medicine in Menifee County, Kentucky.




My parents noted that the "Hollywood" people were careful to stage some of the scenes to make an effective film, and were critical of the narration, which asserts that 90% of their patients paid them off in crops and produce; in reality, most patients paid in cash, and only a small minority offered vegetables in lieu of money. I also see the irony in the closing commentary about my dad being proud to have paid his first taxes -- that may have been true then, but like most of us, he complained about the IRS and taxes a *lot* in later years!

My parents made many friends in Menifee County, and introduced some of them to my father's dad, Oscar Adler, who came with his wife Therese and lived there for a short time as well. My mother's family, except for her sister who had emigrated to Scotland, were all killed by the Nazis.

Years later I asked a Menifee County native (a *great* bluegrass fiddler named Paul Mullins) if he recalled Dr. Adler or his parents; after scratching his head for a moment, he allowed as how he did, saying, "Oh, yeah. . . Adler . . . quare-talking fella!"

Anyway, I'm proud that my folks helped provide medical services in the mountains of eastern Kentucky back in the 1940s, and hope someone besides me will think this is at least moderately interesting.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Richard
• Adler
• Alice
• Blau
• doctor
• Frenchburg
• Kentucky
• Menifee
• County
• 1944
• immigrants
• refugees
• medicine
• humanities
• history

[Marlin0865]

Does any one know any Hasty from FrenchBurg ?

[RebeccaGreene7]

My Mother stayed with these people when they lived here. Edna Merrell Berry Lawson, she was only about 16 and she thought the world of them. I would love to have a copy of the DVD for her, she is now 83 years old and still has a very stong memory of them. She says that she learned so much about nutrition and raising children from them. She has had and raised 12 children of her own. She will still say at times, this is what Dr. Adler said or done.

[Robinmusikhaus]

Wow. This is incredible. Dr Blau and Dr Adler were our family doctors in Chicago from the early 60's until they died. We loved Dr Blau...she was our friend and took such good care of us growing up. She was and is one of my heroes and mentors> I will always remember her smile!

[The71dolores]

This is so great. My past has come full circle. Drs. Adler/Blau were our family Dr. from 1947 - their death. 2 generations had the privilege of these 2 great icons. They were way ahead of their time. They were family. Sorry,Can't remember their sons name, but this is a fantastic thing they did as a tribute to such wonderful people.

If this reaches their sons, I would appreciate an email from them

Thanks Dolores (Liden )Curbis

[padgettstx]

I love the history of our great state. What a cool little video.

[banjochris88]

lol dang, looks like my brother already fount this.

[banjochris88]

oh wow, to the left of the population sign..my aunt lives there to this day lol..i use to live behind Giovanni's ....that mountain creek looks like old Indian creek...or amous cut. I live in Rowan co now. Got lots of Family up there though.

[dannymcclain2008]

Hard to believe Frenchburg use to have a hospital. I grew up there we use to play in those old buildings when we were kids. I think the are apartments or something now probably need to be condemned. They looked like they were falling down back then. Nice video though I would like to see more.

[samw514]

I found this video of my hometown a while back and thought it was very cool. Recently, while researching my family history, I found my great grandfather's death certificate which was signed by Dr Adler. I wish there were a way to save this video to keep with my research.

[wkat950]

Very good. Are you a doctor as well? Whatever you do in life I hope you've learned well from your father. I have deep respect for the rural doctor- even with the proliferation of four-lanes and fast-food in Appalachia. I went to North Central Georgia last week and thought, "We're losing our mountain solitude". Certainly I wouldn't rule out a Dr. Adler in that neck of the woods back in the Forties. We need his kind today- badly!