Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case

1943

1h 29m

IMDb RATING

5.5/10

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4 Images

Drama

Crime

Mystery

In this 13th entry to the Dr. Kildare series, the medical staff of Blair General hospital are challenged with further dilemmas, not the least of which includes a prison inmate who Dr. Gillespie believes belongs instead in an insane asylum.

Directors

Willis Goldbeck

Writers

Lawrence P. Bachmann(screenplay by)

Harry Ruskin(screenplay by)

Martin Berkeley(screenplay by)

Stars

Lionel Barrymore

Van Johnson

Keye Luke

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Watch Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case Trailer (1943)

Photos4

Top cast

Lionel Barrymore

Dr. Leonard Gillespie

Dr. Randall Adams

Dr. Lee Wong How

Molly Byrd

Roy Todwell

Joe Weyman

Margaret

Marcia Bradburn

Sergeant Patrick J. Orisin

Alvin F. Peterson

Dr. Walter Carew

Ruth Edley

Warden Kenneson

Sally

Irene

Briggs (uncredited)

Stapleton, Prison Guard (uncredited)

Margaret Adden

Nurse (uncredited)

Directors

Willis Goldbeck

Writers

Lawrence P. Bachmann(screenplay by)

Harry Ruskin(screenplay by)

Martin Berkeley(screenplay by)

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Featured review

With an almost innumerable number of subplots, it's not exactly a comedy, but it does have its own moments of "screwballism". Moments that make you want to shake your head in incredulity. Moments that make you wonder, "What on Earth were the writers thinking?" Moments that make you wonder, "What on Earth was Mr. Lionel Barrymore thinking, agreeing to an almost complete loss of his dignity?" Moments that you just have to smile at and laugh off. Either that or grab the remote and click the power button, but I just happen to be one of the former class. It's a very ridiculous entry into the long-running MGM series, and one that might even merit some sneering and a very low opinion on the part of some film connoisseurs. But if, like me, you're inclined to be forgiving toward films like this, then maybe you won't mind. One of the flaws here is that, since the central plot deals with some unfinished business from the earlier film "Calling Dr. Gillespie", the actor who originally played the psycho of the story is replaced by one not nearly as creepy or effective. One of the silliest scenes that stood out to me is when some inmates at a prison decide to riot and make a break for it. Their get-away vehicle is an old pickup truck with an unreasonably small bed. One of their hostages is Dr. Gillespie, and I'd love to know what was going through their heads as they're preparing to make a break for it. Was something like "Oh, great idea! Let's take Gillespie and throw him in the back of the pickup!"? Well, that is what they did, and I hope they left his wheelchair in a handicapped spot! Would I recommend? If you're already a dedicated fan of the series, go right ahead. If not, proceed with caution and an open mind.

barrymost02 Dec, 2019