Doctor Bull (1933)

Doc Bull, a no-nonsense country doctor who has served his community for decades, fights small-town prejudice and provincialism in several crises.

Director:

John Ford

Writers:

James Gould Cozzens (novel), Paul Green (adaptation)

Stars:

Will Rogers, Marian Nixon, Vera Allen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Will Rogers	...	Dr. George 'Doc' Bull
Vera Allen	...	Mrs. Janet Cardmaker
Marian Nixon	...	May Tupping - Telephone Operator
Howard Lally	...	Joe Tupping
Berton Churchill	...	Herbert Banning - Janet's Brother
Louise Dresser	...	Mrs. Herbert Banning
Andy Devine	...	Larry Ward, Sodajerk
Rochelle Hudson	...	Virginia (Muller) / Banning
Tempe Pigott	...	Grandma Banning
Elizabeth Patterson	...	Aunt Patricia Banning
Nora Cecil	...	Aunt Emily Banning
Ralph Morgan	...	Dr. Verney - Owner Verney Laboratory
Patsy O'Byrne	...	Susan - Dr. Bull's Cook
Veda Buckland	...	Mary - Janet's Maid
Effie Ellsler	...	Aunt Myra Bull

Storyline

Dr. Bull is an old-fashioned country doctor whose affair with the widow Janet Cardmaker is creating waves in the small town where he practices. When there is a mysterious outbreak of typhoid which the doctor is slow in reacting to, it all comes to a head. The townspeople hold an emergency meeting and decide to give Dr. Bull the sack and bring in a new doctor. Dr. Bull must find a way to save his job, his reputation, and a young man's life, whom all other practitioners have written off as a permanent invalid.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | surname in title | doctor | small town | widow | 

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Taglines:

BACK BY REQUEST ! For those who missed it before...For those who want to see it again! (1936 re-issue poster)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the book, there are discussions about abortion between Doctor Bull and Virginia Banning. These were dropped from the script after a complaint from the Hays Office. In the movie, there is just a vague notion she is pregnant. Also, the character of Larry Ward had a venereal disease in the book, but in the film he's just a hypochondriac.

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Quotes

Dr. George 'Doc' Bull: Oh, there's an old saying. There's only one way into the world, but there's a thousand ways out.

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Crazy Credits

"Doctor Bull brings his neighbors into the world and postpones their departure as long as possible. He prescribes common sense and accepts his small rewards gratefully. His patients call him Doc."

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Soundtracks

Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful)
(uncredited)
Written by Frederick Oakeley and John Francis Wade
Sung by the congregation in church

User Reviews

Marcus Welby in Peyton Place

John Ford's first collaboration with Will Rogers introduces itself with the words, "Doctor Bull brings his neighbors into the world and postpones their departure as long as possible. He prescribes common sense and accepts his small rewords gratefully. His patients call him Doc." This opening makes "Doctor Bull" sound like it's going to be a wholesome and folksy tale - but don't expect the film to be the sweet story of a kindly doctor. The New England set town of "New Winton" turns out to be a 1930s "Peyton Place"…

Strait-laced citizens gossip about neighborly Mr. Rogers (as George "Doc" Bull) spending his evenings with lonely widow Vera Allen (as Janet Cardmaker). Telephone receptionist Marian Nixon (as May) fears husband Howard Lally (as Joe Tupping) may never walk again, after an accident leaves him paralyzed...

Matriarch Louise Dresser and the town's wealthy "Banning" family fret about the sudden marriage of pretty daughter Rochelle Hudson (as Virginia), apparently left pregnant after her boozy weekend with a football player. And, as if that wasn't enough drama, the entire town is threatened with typhoid fever. Since this is not supposed to be a serial, all the stories are tied up by the film's end. And, Mr. Ford makes sure you leave the theater laughing, as squeaky "soda shop" clerk Andy Devine reveals a secret...

****** Doctor Bull (9/22/33) John Ford ~ Will Rogers, Vera Allen, Rochelle Hudson, Louise Dresser

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 September 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Last Adam

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1