MOVIEmeter
SEE RANK
Down 12,176 this week

The Secret of Dr. Kildare (1939)

 -  Drama  -  24 November 1939 (USA)
6.0
Your rating:
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 -/10 X  
Ratings: 6.0/10 from 165 users  
Reviews: 6 user | 4 critic

Dr. Gillespie's cancer has gotten worse, and to force him to take a rest instead of pursuing a sulfa-drug/pneumonia study, Kildare refuses to assist Gillespie, and instead accepts a case of... See full summary »

Director:

Writers:

(story), , 1 more credit »
0Check in
0Share...

User Lists

Related lists from IMDb users

a list of 16 titles created 1 month ago
 
a list of 1372 titles created 22 May 2012
 
a list of 35 titles created 4 months ago
 
a list of 70 titles created 1 month ago
 
a list of 210 titles created 08 May 2012
 

Connect with IMDb


Share this Rating

Title: The Secret of Dr. Kildare (1939)

The Secret of Dr. Kildare (1939) on IMDb 6/10

Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.

Take The Quiz!

Test your knowledge of The Secret of Dr. Kildare.
Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
Paul Messenger
Helen Gilbert ...
Nancy Messenger
Nat Pendleton ...
...
Sara Haden ...
Nora
Samuel S. Hinds ...
Emma Dunn ...
Walter Kingsford ...
Dr. S.J. Carew
...
John Xerxes Archley
Alma Kruger ...
Robert Kent ...
Charles Herron
Marie Blake ...
Sally, Telephone Operator
Martha O'Driscoll ...
Mrs. Roberts
Edit

Storyline

Dr. Gillespie's cancer has gotten worse, and to force him to take a rest instead of pursuing a sulfa-drug/pneumonia study, Kildare refuses to assist Gillespie, and instead accepts a case of hysterical blindness. She's also the daughter of a millionaire who could help the hospital. Written by Kathy Li

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

24 November 1939 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

O Segredo do Dr. Kildare  »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Sound System)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Quotes

Sally, Telephone Operator: Oh, diamonds on men are vulgar.
Joe Wayman: I wish I was vulgar...
See more »

Connections

Follows Calling Dr. Kildare (1939) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.

User Reviews

 
Kildare tries to help Gillespie and a young woman
1 March 2008 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

In 1939's "The Secret of Dr. Kildare," the young doctor is faced with a tough decision. Dr. Gillespie's cancer has exacerbated, and he cannot continue his lab experiments as he once did. Of course, he's refusing to stop. So Kildare quits, knowing Gillespie can't do the work without him. He takes over instead the care of a young woman, Nancy Messenger (Helen Gilbert), who has some emotional issues. Her father (Lionel Atwill) isn't sure what to do about her, so Kildare gains her confidence and tries to get to the bottom of her problems. Meanwhile, Kildare's parents (Samuel S. Hinds and Emma Dunn) come to visit. It turns out that the senior Dr. K has a potentially terminal heart problem and has come to New York for a second opinion. This, too, is a Secret of Dr. Kildare - because he doesn't tell his son.

What made this series a great success was the interrelationships of the characters. Lionel Barrymore is a great Dr. Gillespie, and his relationship with Kildare, with his head nurse, Molly Byrd (Alma Kruger) and Dr. Carew (Walter Kingsford) are lively ones of affection cut with bellowing. Laraine Day is Mary Lamont, who's in love with Kildare, but things haven't really heated up between them yet. She, too, has her moments with Gillespie. At one point while recuperating from a weak spell, he asks her to order him a steak, baked potato and apple pie. Lamont never changes expression, picking up the phone to get him gruel and weak tea.

Though the plot line involving Nancy Messenger is oversimplified and not terribly realistic, this is nevertheless a good episode in the Kildare series. Some trivia - Helen Gilbert, who plays Nancy, in real life was married for one year to gangster Johnny Stompanato, Lana Turner's boyfriend who was killed by her daughter Cheryl.


1 of 1 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

Message Boards

Recent Posts
great lines, funny movie! skiddoo
Discuss The Secret of Dr. Kildare (1939) on the IMDb message boards »

Contribute to This Page

Create a character page for:
?