Dr. Kildare's Crisis (1940)

Dr. Kildare's Crisis Poster

Jimmy Kildare's impending nuptials are jeopardized by a diagnosis of possible epilepsy in his fiancee's brother.

Title: Dr. Kildare's Crisis
"Dr. Kildare's Crisis" is a 1940's movie that is part of the popular Dr. Kildare series. Directed by Harold S. Bucquet, it stars Lew Ayres as Dr. James Kildare and Lionel Barrymore as Dr. Leonard Barry Gillespie. The movie tethers on the style of medical drama involving secret, love, and ethical issues, giving an insight into the complexities of medical science tempered with human feelings.

Plot:
The plot centers around Dr. Kildare who is engaged to Alice Raymond (Helen Gilbert). Alice's bro, Douglas (Robert Young), starts to show symptoms of epilepsy, which, if goes undiscovered, can result in deadly effects. Dr. Kildare ends up being personally purchased Douglas' case when it appears that the illness is genetic, which might cause derailment of his plans to wed Alice.

Character Development:
Dr. James Kildare displays a mix of expert ability and human sensitivity. The character development is seen as he grapples with the installing pressure to discover the appropriate medical diagnosis for Douglas and conserve his personal life from disintegrating. Lionel Barrymore, as Dr. Gillespie, is represented as a smart and skilled doctor who offers important assistance to Kildare while permitting him the flexibility to make his decisions. The synergistic relationship between Dr. Kildare and Dr. Gillespie includes an emotive subtext to the scientific environment of a health center.

Secret and Suspense:
As the plot unfolds, it's discovered that Douglas has actually been stealing drugs for self-medication from the medical facility. This comes as a shock to everybody and brings a component of secret and thriller, questioning the precise nature of Douglas's disease. Concurrently, Dr. Kildare finds himself dealing with a challenging decision between his love life and expert principles.

Romance:
The subplot features the tender love blossoming between Dr. Kildare and Alice Raymond. Their love is sincere, yet met complicated challenges. Their relationship is further strained by the possible hereditary implications of Alice's sibling's disease, and Dr. Kildare's battle to decide the ethical path in this complicated scenario deepens the dispute.

Conclusion:
In the end, the secret is dealt with when it is exposed that Douglas's seizures were not due to epilepsy but from overdosing on drugs. Douglas admits to his thefts and drug abuse, which brings both relief and dissatisfaction. Dr. Kildare restores his relationship with Alice, as his ethical problem is fixed.

Critical Acclaim:
The movie, "Dr. Kildare's Crisis," is a fine mix of a medical drama involving a mystery, instilled with a fascinating romance subplot. The performances of Lew Ayres as young and dedicated Dr. Kildare and Lionel Barrymore as sensible and skilled Dr. Gillespie are commendable and notable. The film successfully presents an intricate plot in a realistic healthcare facility scenario, producing a fitting climax that pays off.

In summary, "Dr. Kildare's Crisis", is admired for its fascinating characterization, intricate plots, and a convincing depiction of the medical world intertwined with individual crises, thereby securing its place in the series as a touching human drama.

Top Cast

  • Lew Ayres (small)
    Lew Ayres
    Dr. James Kildare
  • Lionel Barrymore (small)
    Lionel Barrymore
    Dr. Leonard Gillespie
  • Laraine Day (small)
    Laraine Day
    Mary Lamont
  • Robert Young (small)
    Robert Young
    Douglas Lamont
  • Nat Pendleton (small)
    Nat Pendleton
    Joe Wayman
  • Walter Kingsford (small)
    Walter Kingsford
    Dr. Walter Carew
  • Alma Kruger (small)
    Alma Kruger
    Molly Byrd
  • Bobs Watson (small)
    Bobs Watson
    Tommy, the Crippled Child
  • Nell Craig (small)
    Nell Craig
    Nurse 'Nosey' Parker
  • George Reed
    Conover
  • Frank Orth (small)
    Frank Orth
    Mike Ryan, Cafe Owner