Though the scenes are somewhat slowly played out, a lot happens in the third installment of MGM's Dr. Kildare series. First, I should mention Lew Ayres' character does have a secret- namely that he's a doctor, which is kept from a debutante (Helen Gilbert) he's treating.
Also, his father, the elder Dr. Kildare (Samuel S. Hinds), has a secret- he might have a heart condition. However, only Dr. Gillespie (Lionel Barrymore) is brought in on that, since he is consulted for a second opinion; and much to the relief of Mrs. Kildare (Emma Dunn), there is no real heart condition, and everything will go back to normal.
Added into the drama, we have young Kildare pretending he does not want to work with Gillespie to find a cure for pneumonia. He does this so Gillespie will take much-needed time off, and so he can help the debutante with a case of hysterical blindness.
Meanwhile, there's the continuing story of Nurse Mary Lamont (Laraine Day) becoming more smitten with Kildare. Oh, and the ongoing battles between Gillespie and head nurse Molly (Alma Kruger), which manage to convey some tenderness despite their mostly adversarial interactions.
What makes this entry in the series so good is all of the introductions that took place in the first two films are out of the way. Plus the series hasn't been run into the ground yet, so the ideas still seem fresh. These ideas were probably relevant back in the day, even if the medical dialogue seems hopelessly outdated now. There are a few implausibilities, like Gillespie thinking he can end pneumonia. Or young Kildare doing a make-believe eye operation on the debutante so she can see again.
I think the series does a decent job conveying the fact these people are working to solve the medical and psychological problems their patients face. Despite conflicts which occur among the staff, there is a sense of team work and people believing in the same cause. Furthermore, I appreciate the sense of humor the characters have; and no matter, how you slice it, Gillespie is a lovable curmudgeon. Barrymore plays his role to the hilt, but he's not too off-putting. I especially love how Gillespie and his protege seem to outfox each other, when they approach cases from different angles.
The Kildare and Gillespie movies feature a fine assortment of character actors and actresses. Marie Blake doesn't have much screen time but when she's on camera, she always has a funny line at the switchboard. Nat Pendleton is fun in his role as a thick ambulance driver. And Walter Kingford is great as Carew the hospital administrator, a man that has his own tug of war going on with Gillespie. The series is expertly produced, and in this instance, Harold S. Bucquet's direction is excellent. It's not a secret these films were big money-makers for MGM.
Also, his father, the elder Dr. Kildare (Samuel S. Hinds), has a secret- he might have a heart condition. However, only Dr. Gillespie (Lionel Barrymore) is brought in on that, since he is consulted for a second opinion; and much to the relief of Mrs. Kildare (Emma Dunn), there is no real heart condition, and everything will go back to normal.
Added into the drama, we have young Kildare pretending he does not want to work with Gillespie to find a cure for pneumonia. He does this so Gillespie will take much-needed time off, and so he can help the debutante with a case of hysterical blindness.
Meanwhile, there's the continuing story of Nurse Mary Lamont (Laraine Day) becoming more smitten with Kildare. Oh, and the ongoing battles between Gillespie and head nurse Molly (Alma Kruger), which manage to convey some tenderness despite their mostly adversarial interactions.
What makes this entry in the series so good is all of the introductions that took place in the first two films are out of the way. Plus the series hasn't been run into the ground yet, so the ideas still seem fresh. These ideas were probably relevant back in the day, even if the medical dialogue seems hopelessly outdated now. There are a few implausibilities, like Gillespie thinking he can end pneumonia. Or young Kildare doing a make-believe eye operation on the debutante so she can see again.
I think the series does a decent job conveying the fact these people are working to solve the medical and psychological problems their patients face. Despite conflicts which occur among the staff, there is a sense of team work and people believing in the same cause. Furthermore, I appreciate the sense of humor the characters have; and no matter, how you slice it, Gillespie is a lovable curmudgeon. Barrymore plays his role to the hilt, but he's not too off-putting. I especially love how Gillespie and his protege seem to outfox each other, when they approach cases from different angles.
The Kildare and Gillespie movies feature a fine assortment of character actors and actresses. Marie Blake doesn't have much screen time but when she's on camera, she always has a funny line at the switchboard. Nat Pendleton is fun in his role as a thick ambulance driver. And Walter Kingford is great as Carew the hospital administrator, a man that has his own tug of war going on with Gillespie. The series is expertly produced, and in this instance, Harold S. Bucquet's direction is excellent. It's not a secret these films were big money-makers for MGM.