DR. KILDARE'S STRANGE CASE (1940) Lew Ayres, Lionel Barrymore & Laraine Day | Crime, Drama | B&W

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Dr. Kildare's Strange Case is a 1940 American drama film directed by Harold S. Bucquet. This was the fifth of a total of ten Dr. Kildare pictures. Horace MacMahon joined the cast regulars in the series as taxi driver "Foghorn" Murphy.

SYNOPSIS
Dr. James Kildare faces a pivotal moment in his career and personal life as he navigates the challenges of his internship and a complicated romance. Kildare competes for the affections of nurse Mary Lamont against the wealthy and accomplished brain surgeon Dr. Gregory Lane. Despite his deep feelings for Mary, Kildare has refrained from proposing due to his financial instability.

When Paul Messenger, a grateful patient from a previous case, offers Kildare a prestigious and lucrative position at the Messenger Institute, Kildare initially considers the opportunity. However, he chooses to stay near his mentor, Dr. Leonard Gillespie, who is battling melanoma and requires the expertise of a cancer specialist.

As Kildare continues to support Gillespie, Mary is assigned to work with Dr. Lane, who is struggling with his confidence after a series of unsuccessful surgeries. Kildare and Lane are tasked with treating an unidentified patient with a skull fracture who refuses life-saving surgery. Lane's confidence is shaken, but Kildare reassures him that Gillespie believes in his skills, leading Lane to proceed with the operation.

After the surgery, the patient exhibits signs of insanity, jeopardizing Lane's career and potentially leading to criminal charges. Kildare is convinced that the patient was mentally ill before the accident, giving Lane the legal right to perform the surgery. To resolve the situation, Kildare employs a risky new treatment, the "insulin shock cure," which proves successful. He traces the patient's background to reveal a long-term mental illness exacerbated by a separation from his wife.

In the aftermath, Mary risks her career to support Kildare, and the couple eventually reunites. Gillespie, recognizing Kildare's dedication and personal growth, forces Kildare to propose to Mary by firing him from his assistant position. With the couple engaged and their future together secured, Kildare negotiates a promise from Gillespie to accept the cancer specialist's care in exchange for remaining his assistant.

CAST & CREW
Lew Ayres as Dr. James Kildare
Lionel Barrymore as Dr. Leonard Gillespie
Laraine Day as Nurse Mary Lamont
Shepperd Strudwick as Dr. Gregory Lane
Samuel S. Hinds as Dr. Stephen Kildare
Emma Dunn as Mrs. Martha Kildare
Nat Pendleton as Joe Wayman
Walter Kingsford as Dr. S.J. Carew
Alma Kruger as Molly Byrd
John Eldredge as Henry Adams
Nell Craig as "Nosey" Parker
Marie Blake as Sally
Charles Waldron as Dr. Squires
George Lessey as Rufus Ingersoll
Tom Collins as Dr. Joiner
George Reed as Conover
Paul Porcasi as Tony
Horace McMahon as J. Harold "Fog Horn" Murphy
Frank Orth as Mike Ryan
Margaret Seddon as Mrs. Julia Cray
Fay Helm as Mrs. Henry Adams

Directed by: Harold S. Bucquet
Written by: Max Brand, Willis Goldbeck (story); Harry Ruskin, Willis Goldbeck (screenplay)
Produced by: Harold S. Bucquet
Cinematography: John F. Seitz
Edited by: Gene Ruggiero
Music by: David Snell
Distributed by: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release Date: April 12, 1940
Running Time: 77 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English