This would be the start of a series that would ultimately comprise nine "Young Dr. Kildare" movies co-starring Lee Ayers in the title role, and the one-and-only Lionel Barrymore as the curmudgeonly Dr. Gillespie. After Ayers was sent off to WWII, Barrymore would continue in the Gillespie role for six more films (three co-starring up-and-comer Van Johnson as a different "young doctor" character). And after this decade-long run finally came to an end, the Dr. Kildare concept would continue on TV starring a young Richard Chamberlain as the title doctor.
As for this particular installment, it is only notable for setting up the premise (ie., the promising young son of a well-respected country doctor decides to go to intern in a big-city hospital, and then much to his surprise, is mentored by an old crank of a doc with much to teach). Oh, and having a perfectly ridiculous plot involving a female patient's sanity and social/familial reputation at stake. For me, and I'm sure for plenty of others as well, it's the wheelchair-bound Lionel Barrymore's lovable-in-spite-of-himself performance as old Dr. Gillespie that makes these movies at least tolerable, if not always thoroughly enjoyable.
As for this particular installment, it is only notable for setting up the premise (ie., the promising young son of a well-respected country doctor decides to go to intern in a big-city hospital, and then much to his surprise, is mentored by an old crank of a doc with much to teach). Oh, and having a perfectly ridiculous plot involving a female patient's sanity and social/familial reputation at stake. For me, and I'm sure for plenty of others as well, it's the wheelchair-bound Lionel Barrymore's lovable-in-spite-of-himself performance as old Dr. Gillespie that makes these movies at least tolerable, if not always thoroughly enjoyable.