Dr. Kildare Goes Home (1940)

Dr. Kildare Goes Home Poster

A young doctor gives up big-city success to help his father set up a small-town clinic.

Introduction
"Dr. Kildare Goes Home" is a 1940 movie that is part of a series of "Dr. Kildare" motion pictures. The series follows the life and profession of Dr. James Kildare, played by Lew Ayres, an earnest young physician. The movie, directed by Harold S. Bucquet and based upon characters developed by author Max Brand, showcases Kildare's obstacles and growth both expertly and personally. The movie is often noted for its representation of medical practices of the time and for the moral issues dealt with by doctors.

Plot Summary
After acquiring experience and recognition at the large, cosmopolitan Blair General Hospital, young physician Dr. James Kildare chooses it's time to go back to his roots. His intent is to support his hometown, which has actually been struggling with an absence of adequate medical care.

Upon his arrival at his simple home town, Kildare quickly recognizes several locations within the regional healthcare system that require substantial enhancements. One pushing concern is the improperly geared up medical facility, which frantically requires modernization to provide proper care to the community. Kildare's homecoming is consulted with combined feelings: while his parents are satisfied with his return, Dr. Gillespie (Lionel Barrymore), his coach and colleague at Blair General, believes that Kildare's skills would be lost in such a village.

The film's central dispute arises when Dr. Kildare is thrust into a challenging scenario centered around a typhoid fever break out. The crisis puts his abilities and devotion to the test and exposes the shortages in the regional healthcare provisions. As the break out spreads, Kildare needs to discover a way to include the disease with restricted resources and avoid additional casualties.

Together with the medical turmoil, Kildare faces personal turmoil. His relationship with Nurse Mary Lamont (Laraine Day), who remains at Blair General Hospital, is strained by the range. In addition, there is a subplot involving a romance with an old flame in his hometown, contributing to the emotional complexity of his situation.

Reviewing Medical Ethics and Practice
The movie explores styles of principles and the ethical responsibilities of a doctor. It challenges the audience to consider the balance in between personal goals and neighborhood needs. Dr. Kildare comes to grips with choices that pit his Hippocratic oath to serve those around him versus the attraction of a more prominent and potentially more impactful profession at a big hospital.

Performance and Character Development
Lew Ayres encapsulates the selflessness and duty inherent in the character of Dr. Kildare, while Lionel Barrymore depicts the curmudgeonly yet informative Dr. Gillespie with depth and charisma. The performances of the actors resonate with gravitas and compassion, as they dynamically depict the intricacies of medical practice and mentorship.

Impact and Legacy
"Dr. Kildare Goes Home" uses a window into the difficulties faced by physicians in smaller neighborhoods during the era. The practical representation of the struggles with restricted medical infrastructure, paired with the devotion to improve neighborhood health requirements, makes the film an academic and inspiring narrative that celebrates the essence of medicine's service to humanity.

The film, while maybe not as popular today, is part of a series of Kildare motion pictures that contributed significantly to the early cinematic representation of medical professionals and left an impactful tradition in illustrating the occupation with regard and admiration. The "Dr. Kildare" series has been acknowledged for its contribution to forming public perception of doctors and raising awareness about public health concerns.

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