The Mysterious Doctor (1943)

Director:

Benjamin Stoloff

Writer:

Richard Weil (original screenplay)

Release Date:

3 March 1943 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller

Plot:

The citizens of a tiny Cornish village are tormented during World War II by a headless ghost which is haunting the local tin mine. |

Plot Keywords:

England | Ghost | Headless | Nazi | WWII

Cast

John Loder	...	Sir Henry Leland
Eleanor Parker	...	Letty Carstairs
Bruce Lester	...	Lt. Christopher 'Kit' Hilton
Lester Matthews	...	Dr. Frederick Holmes
Forrester Harvey	...	Hugh Penhryn
Matt Willis	...	Bart Redmond

Runtime:

57 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved | UK:H

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Miners Losing Their Heads

Dark, foggy, lantern-lit settings abound in this 1943 second run feature about a headless ghost(no horse) that terrorizes an old mine, still laden with tin needed by the British against the Germans in WWII. Heavy on atmosphere and light on originality, The Mysterious Doctor comes off rather well due to its effective and crisp cinematography, solid character acting, and competent direction. Director Benjamin Stoloff moves with such a fast pace that the film's 57 minute length seems almost too short to have covered what this film covers. Don't expect any great and clever plot twists here as the film's hero and villain should be quite obvious shortly - especially if you remember what the title of the film is. Eleanor Parker is in the film as the female lead, but her role has little depth to it. There are some nice performances by John Loder, Lester Matthews, and I particularly liked the feeling and sincerity in Matt Willis's portrayal of the village idiot. Willis gives more than just a one-dimensional performance, and this is quite evident in the scene with the children goading him. But these actors and the fine, able group of terrified, pub-drinking villagers of Cornwall are far more defined by their aiding the atmosphere of the film - the film's chief character. Though their are a few grisly murders shown off-stage, the film has a rather light touch to it despite this and the foggy mood. Films like this were very formulaic, and it is important that one of its chief goals was to serve England in its battle with the Germans. Once you understand that, everything falls into place. Nonetheless, this is an interesting film with some style.