Copyright 6 March 1936 by 20th Century-Fox Film Corp. New York opening at the Radio City Music Hall: 12 March 1936 (ran 2 weeks). U.S. release: March 1936. Australian release: 24 June 1936. Sydney opening at the Regent. 8,680 feet. 96½ minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Doctor Roy Luke is a typical country doctor in the backwoods of Canada. His practice is threatened by the arrival of a new doctor hired by the major industry in the area. Dr. Luke eventually delivers quintuplets to a local family, and his career is saved. No special effects needed here. The quintuplets are real.
NOTES: One of the top domestic box-office releases of 1936, the movie also scored at Australian ticket windows, coming in at 36th place nationwide for the year. Stan Wright, manager of the Regent cinema in Sydney, estimates that the picture would have pulled in more customers had it been released at any other time other than the middle of winter. Although the picture scored only two weeks at the Hoyts premier showcase, Mr Wright pointed out that in terms of admission tickets sold, The Country Doctor rated eleventh on the list of the Regent's most successful attractions of 1936.
PRINCIPAL MIRACLE: No special effects needed here. The quintuplets are real. COMMENT: Such a marvelous film, poignant, inspiring, deeply moving, beautifully acted and produced, I am left for once without words to describe its superlative entertainment values. Let's just say it's one of the best films ever made. Congratulations all around. Especially to Hersholt and the players, Johnson and the writers, director King, the cameramen, set designers, film editor and music director.
Rarely has an exploitation movie turned out so brilliantly. For once the picturegoing public was amply rewarded. Is The Country Doctor worth five times its admission price? Yes, - and five times five!
SYNOPSIS: Doctor Roy Luke is a typical country doctor in the backwoods of Canada. His practice is threatened by the arrival of a new doctor hired by the major industry in the area. Dr. Luke eventually delivers quintuplets to a local family, and his career is saved. No special effects needed here. The quintuplets are real.
NOTES: One of the top domestic box-office releases of 1936, the movie also scored at Australian ticket windows, coming in at 36th place nationwide for the year. Stan Wright, manager of the Regent cinema in Sydney, estimates that the picture would have pulled in more customers had it been released at any other time other than the middle of winter. Although the picture scored only two weeks at the Hoyts premier showcase, Mr Wright pointed out that in terms of admission tickets sold, The Country Doctor rated eleventh on the list of the Regent's most successful attractions of 1936.
PRINCIPAL MIRACLE: No special effects needed here. The quintuplets are real. COMMENT: Such a marvelous film, poignant, inspiring, deeply moving, beautifully acted and produced, I am left for once without words to describe its superlative entertainment values. Let's just say it's one of the best films ever made. Congratulations all around. Especially to Hersholt and the players, Johnson and the writers, director King, the cameramen, set designers, film editor and music director.
Rarely has an exploitation movie turned out so brilliantly. For once the picturegoing public was amply rewarded. Is The Country Doctor worth five times its admission price? Yes, - and five times five!