The Secret of Dr. Kildare (1939)

Director:

Harold S. Bucquet

Writers:

Max Brand (story)
Willis Goldbeck (writer)
(more)

Release Date:

24 November 1939 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Dr. Gillespie's cancer has gotten worse, and to force him to take a rest instead of pursuing a sulfa-drug/pneumonia study...

Plot Keywords:

Hospital | Blindness | Doctor | New York | Umbrella

Cast

Lew Ayres	...	Dr. James 'Jimmy' Kildare
Lionel Barrymore	...	Dr. Leonard Barry Gillespie
Lionel Atwill	...	Paul Messenger
Helen Gilbert	...	Nancy Messenger
Nat Pendleton	...	Joe Wayman
Laraine Day	...	Nurse Mary Lamont
Sara Haden	...	Nora
Samuel S. Hinds	...	Dr. Stephen Kildare
Emma Dunn	...	Mrs. Martha Kildare
Walter Kingsford	...	Dr. S.J. Carew
Grant Mitchell	...	John Xerxes Archley
Alma Kruger	...	Head Nurse Molly Byrd
Robert Kent	...	Charles Herron
Marie Blake	...	Sally, Telephone Operator
Martha O'Driscoll	...	Mrs. Roberts
Nell Craig	...	Nurse 'Nosey' Parker
George Reed	...	Conover
Frank Orth	...	Mike Sullivan
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Walter Baldwin	...	Finch (uncredited)
Don 'Red' Barry	...	Collins, Intern (uncredited)
George Chandler	...	Pay Orderly (uncredited)
Tom Collins	...	Dr. Joiner (uncredited)
Alec Craig	...	Telephone Repair Man (uncredited)
Byron Foulger	...	Hospital Attendant (uncredited)
Mitchell Lewis	...	Adam, Nora's Gardener (uncredited)
Matt McHugh	...	Messenger's Chauffeur (uncredited)
Emory Parnell	...	Policeman on Gaylor Ave. (uncredited)
William Tannen	...	Bates, Inturn (uncredited)
Joe Yule	...	Lunch Room Counterman (uncredited)

Directed by
Harold S. Bucquet

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Max Brand		story
Willis Goldbeck		writer
Harry Ruskin		writer

Produced by
Lou L. Ostrow	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
David Snell

Cinematography by
Alfred Gilks

Film Editing by
Frank E. Hull		(as Frank Hull)

Art Direction by
Cedric Gibbons

Set Decoration by
Edwin B. Willis

Production Management
Charles Stallings	....	unit manager (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Charles Dorian	....	second unit director (uncredited)
Horace Hough	....	assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Randall Duell	....	associate art director

Sound Department
Douglas Shearer	....	recording director

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Dolly Tree	....	wardrobe

Other crew
Frank Clarke	....	pilot (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Loew's
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (1939) (USA) (theatrical)
• VCI Home Video (1999) (USA) (VHS)
• Hollywood's Best (2005) (USA) (DVD)
• Hollywood's Best (2005) (USA) (VHS)
• Roan Group, The (2006) (USA) (DVD)
• Better Television Distribution (2006) (worldwide) (TV)
• Loew's

Runtime:

84 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:Approved | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-G

Filming Locations:

San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Loew's

Movie Connections:

Followed by Dark Delusion (1947)

a Kildare a day

"The Secret of Dr. Kildare" shines as a multi-threaded gem, typical of the Kildare series. And this time the master may teach his pupil, but the pupil has a lesson of his own to give the great Dr. Gillespie. Three main twists populate this inviting plot, all of which come together in a heart warming conclusion, in true Dr. Kildare fashion. The first centers on the mysterious symptoms of a wealthy young female patient. The second involves the progression of the cantankerous Dr. Gillespie's illness. And the third focuses on the sudden, terminal diagnosis of Dr. Stephen Kildare. Our poor young doctor certainly has his hands full in this well paced and droll mystery. And while Dr. Kildare may be keeping lots of secrets in this one, he is certainly not the only one.

The interwoven plot lines keep the viewer entertained with anticipation and concern; however, Lionel Barrymore's outstanding performance as the cranky, brilliant, and always lovable Dr. Gillespie really steals the show. Lew Ayres offers a convincing and commendable job as the altruistic protege, while Laraine Day provides a lovely and supportive co-star, shining in a particularly touching bedside scene with Barrymore. But it cannot be said too often that this film gains so much from _all_ of the characters involved -- from Kildare's amiable parents, to the inexorable Head Nurse Byrd and the doctors' ever copacetic assistant, Conover. The conclusion ties the story lines together with typical charming optimism, but then if you aren't watching these films as part of the doctor's feel-good prescription, then you might be missing the point.