Doortje Verkerk

Summary

Dramatised propaganda film for the Christelijke Vereniging tot verpleging van behoeftige chronische zieken ‘Het zonnehuis’ (the Christian Association for the Nursing of the Destitute Chronically Ill).

Somewhere in the Netherlands, a girl helps the lady of the house in a Christian family with the daily chores. Her name is Doortje Verkerk. She is high-spirited, and for a long time she performs her duties cheerfully. Her enthusiasm begins to fade over the years, however; she becomes quickly tired and works slowly. It becomes so bad that even her mistress decides that she should rest. The doctor is worried and advises she be admitted to the hospital. Doortje’s illness drags on and she has to move out of the hospital to make room for other patients. She is taken in by her sister and brother-in-law’s busy family but soon there’s a new baby on the way and she returns to her parents’ house. Her elderly mother is unable to take good care of Doortje, who has been put in a stuffy box bed. Her mistress pays her a visit here, sees this unbearable situation, and arranges that Doortje be admitted to the ‘Zonnehuis’.