Doctor in the House (1954)

The trials and tribulations of a group of medical students at St. Swithin's hospital in London, England.

Director:

Ralph Thomas

Writers:

Richard Gordon (by), Richard Gordon (adapted for the screen by)

Stars:

Dirk Bogarde, Muriel Pavlow, Kenneth More

Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dirk Bogarde	...	Simon Sparrow
Muriel Pavlow	...	Joy Gibson
Kenneth More	...	Richard Grimsdyke
Donald Sinden	...	Tony Benskin
Kay Kendall	...	Isobel Minster
James Robertson Justice	...	Sir Lancelot Spratt
Donald Houston	...	Taffy Evans
Suzanne Cloutier	...	Stella
George Coulouris	...	Briggs
Jean Taylor Smith	...	Sister Virtue
Nicholas Phipps	...	Magistrate
Geoffrey Keen	...	Dean
Martin Boddey	...	Demonstrator at pedal machine
Joan Sims	...	Rigor Mortis
Gudrun Ure	...	May (as Ann Gudrun)

Storyline

Simon Sparrow (Dirk Bogarde) is a newly arrived medical student at St. Swithin's hospital in London, England. Falling in with three longer-serving hopefuls, he is soon immersed in the wooing, imbibing, and fast sports car driving that constitute 1950s medical training. There is, however, always the looming and formidable figure of Chief Surgeon Sir Lancelot Spratt (James Robertson Justice) to remind them of their real purposes.

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Plot Keywords:

medical student | doctor | hospital | nurse | first of series | 

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Taglines:

When handsome interne meets beautiful nurse - it's a Romantic Rib-Tickler in Love Time!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 February 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Toubib or not toubib

Filming Locations:

Myddelton Square, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP100,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Group Film Productions Limited

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard Gordon: The author of the book "Doctor in the House" has a cameo as a Anaethetist.

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Goofs

Simon Sparrow attends to a birth at Christmas, then almost immediately afterwards takes part in a rugby match in November. What's more the trees are in full summer foliage on the day of the match.

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Quotes

Stella: You'll never be a proper doctor. I want to marry a proper doctor.
Grimsdyke: But,... I'll have to study!
Stella: Yes.
Grimsdyke: I'll...I'll have to pass the exams!
Stella: Yes!
Grimsdyke: My allowance will stop!
Stella: Yes!
Grimsdyke: I'll,.. Good heavens woman. I'll have to WORK !!!
Stella: YES!
Grimsdyke: And you say you love me?

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Connections

Followed by Doctor in Distress (1963)

User Reviews

Graybeards Go to Med-School

Were this med-school frolic made today, I expect the raunch factor would top out at 10. But this is 1954, and there are still limits, and something quaint called "good taste". As a result, the humor depends more on character and tempting the limits than it does on bedpans and tossing limits aside. The laughs come less from the obvious or outrageous, and more subtly from situations and wit (except for the street chase, which really doesn't come off that well). True, the movie may be no knee-slapper, but neither does it cause indigestion afterwards.

Well, you do have to accept that these 30-somethings are still young enough to be starting med-school, something of a stretch. Nonetheless, Bogarde and Co. come through as a likable crew, and I think I'll get sick on the off-chance that the cute little number Muriel Pavlow will be my nurse. Too bad we don't see more of that gifted and sexy comedienne Kay Kendall. I love the way she snubs Houston after he makes an untoward remark-- what a classy looking gal who died much too young. And, of course, there's the imperious James Robertson Justice looking and sounding like Emperor of the Universe, but really a regular guy when the chips are down.

I like the way the unassuming Sparrow (Bogarde) comes to a sense of confidence and pride after delivering his first baby. It's his first case and now, after all the training and sacrifice, he departs the house, a real doctor. What a fine, versatile actor Bogarde was. Anyway, the movie holds up pretty well, a nice balance of the antic and the affable.