By Violet LeVoit
Dr. Kildare's Strange Case
Brief Synopsis
A young doctor uses pioneering methods to treat a mental patient.
Cast & Crew
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Harold S. Bucquet
Director
Lew Ayres
Dr. James Kildare
Lionel Barrymore
Dr. Leonard Gillespie
Laraine Day
Mary Lamont
Shepperd Strudwick
Dr. Gregory Lane
Samuel S. Hinds
Dr. Stephen Kildare
Film Details
Genre
Drama
Release Date
Apr
12,
1940
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp.
Distribution Company
Loew's Inc.
Country
United States
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 16m
Sound
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
8 reels
Synopsis
Dr. Gregory Lane, a brain surgeon whose reputation has been damaged by the death of several of his patients, becomes Dr. James Kildare's rival for the affections of nurse Mary Lamont. Because of his low salary at the hospital, Jimmy has been unable to propose to Mary, a situation that is remedied when Dr. Squires of the prestigious Messenger Institute offers him a lucrative job. When Jimmy turns down the job to continue working with his teacher, Dr. Leonard Gillespie, Mary's hopes for marriage are dashed. Soon after, Jimmy is assigned to work with Lane, whose confidence has been shaken by the death of yet another patient. When confronted by a patient with a skull fracture who refuses the operation that can save his life, Lane wavers but Jimmy urges the surgeon to perform the procedure anyway. Unfortunately, when the patient awakens, he is insane, and Lane is held responsible for his condition. Convinced that the patient was deranged before surgery, Jimmy decides to risk his career by administering dangerous insulin shock treatments that could restore the man's sanity. After five trying hours, the treatment proves successful, and the man regains his reason. Discovering that the patient's illness was brought on by a separation from his wife, Jimmy brings the woman to her husband's bedside and effects a reconciliation. Their reunion after a separation of five years inspires Jimmy to propose to Mary, and she accepts with the understanding that they will have to wait a while for the wedding.
Director
Harold S. Bucquet
Director
Cast
Lew Ayres
Dr. James Kildare
Lionel Barrymore
Dr. Leonard Gillespie
Laraine Day
Mary Lamont
Shepperd Strudwick
Dr. Gregory Lane
Samuel S. Hinds
Dr. Stephen Kildare
Emma Dunn
Mrs. Martha Kildare
Nat Pendleton
Wayman
Walter Kingsford
Dr. S. J. Carew
Alma Kruger
Molly Byrd
John Eldredge
Henry Adams
Neil Craig
Nosey [Parker]
Marie Blake
Sally
Charles Waldron
Dr. Squires
George Lessey
Rufus Ingersoll
Tom Collins
Joiner
George H. Reed
Conover
Paul Porcasi
Antonio
Horace Macmahon
Fog Horn
Frank Orth
Mike
Margaret Seddon
Mrs. Cray
Fay Helm
Mrs. Adams
Marcia Mae Jones
Florence
Crew
Max Brand
Original Story
Cedric Gibbons
Art Director
Willis Goldbeck
Original Story
Willis Goldbeck
Screenwriter
Eddie Imazu
Art Director Associate
Gene Ruggiero
Film Editor
Harry Ruskin
Screenwriter
John Seitz
Director of Photography
Douglas Shearer
Recording Director
David Snell
Music Score
Edwin B. Willis
Set Decoration
Dolph Zimmer
Assistant Director
Photo Collections
1 Photo
Dr. Kildare's Strange Case - Glass Slide
Here is a Glass Slide for the MGM film Dr. Kildare's Strange Case (1940), starring Lew Ayres and Lionel Barrymore. Glass slides were used by many theaters to promote coming attractions during slide shows between movie screenings.
Film Details
Genre
Drama
Release Date
Apr
12,
1940
Premiere Information
not available
Production Company
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp.
Distribution Company
Loew's Inc.
Country
United States
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 16m
Sound
Mono (Western Electric Sound System)
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
8 reels
Articles
Dr. Kildare's Strange Case -
The role of Dr. Kildare was originated onscreen by Joel McCrea in the Paramount picture Interns Can't Take Money (1937), but MGM purchased the rights in the hopes of having another bankable series character like Andy Hardy or Maisie. Ayres was leery at first of being identified so strongly with one character, but after a starlit stroll where the deeply religious actor maintained he heard a voice from the sky say "Yes, do it!", he signed on for what became the defining role of his career. In this, the fourth Dr. Kildare movie, our doctor wants to marry Nurse Lamont (Laraine Day), but earning enough money to do so would mean accepting a job away from his curmudgeonly mentor Dr. Gillespie (Lionel Barrymore). When Kildare makes the hard decision to postpone marriage, his relationship with Lamont is threatened by the appearance of disgraced brain surgeon Dr. Lane (Shepperd Strudwick). Can Kildare keep his personal and professional life separate when he's asked to help restore Lane to medical competence? This movie is also remarkable as a time capsule into no-longer-accepted medical practices, like using insulin shock as a treatment for mental illness.
By Violet LeVoit
By Violet LeVoit
Dr. Kildare's Strange Case -
The role of Dr. Kildare was originated onscreen by Joel McCrea in the Paramount picture Interns Can't Take Money (1937), but MGM purchased the rights in the hopes of having another bankable series character like Andy Hardy or Maisie. Ayres was leery at first of being identified so strongly with one character, but after a starlit stroll where the deeply religious actor maintained he heard a voice from the sky say "Yes, do it!", he signed on for what became the defining role of his career. In this, the fourth Dr. Kildare movie, our doctor wants to marry Nurse Lamont (Laraine Day), but earning enough money to do so would mean accepting a job away from his curmudgeonly mentor Dr. Gillespie (Lionel Barrymore). When Kildare makes the hard decision to postpone marriage, his relationship with Lamont is threatened by the appearance of disgraced brain surgeon Dr. Lane (Shepperd Strudwick). Can Kildare keep his personal and professional life separate when he's asked to help restore Lane to medical competence? This movie is also remarkable as a time capsule into no-longer-accepted medical practices, like using insulin shock as a treatment for mental illness.
By Violet LeVoit
Quotes
Well, Mr. Ingersoll, good morning, and how are you feeling today?- Dr. Leonard Gillespie
Never felt better in my life!- Rufus Ingersoll
Oh ho, that's fine. That's fine...because your system's in a state of collapse. Siddown before you fall down!- Dr. Leonard Gillespie
Nurses are just like husbands. You can abuse them, insult them, work 'em to death, jump all over 'em. They'll take it. But give 'em a bad cup of coffee and you got a revolution on your hands.- Nurse Molly Byrd
Trivia
Notes
This picture was the fourth in the "Dr. Kildare" series. For additional information about the series, consult the Series Index and for Young Dr. Kildare.
