The Mad Doctor 1940

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The Mad Doctor

A reporter sleuths the mystery behind an oft-married Viennese doctor whose wives met mysterious fates.

A reporter sleuths the mystery behind an oft-married Viennese doctor whose wives met mysterious fates.

Videos & Photos

All 1 Videos & 9 Photos

... Dr. George Sebastian / Dr. Langamann

... Linda Booth

... Gil Sawyer

... Louise Watkins (as Barbara Allen [Vera Vague])

... Dr. Charles Downer

... Maurice Gretz

User reviews

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16 Apr 2023 by CinemaSerf

There is something really quite sinister to Basil Rathbone's title performance in this rather intimidating psychological thriller. We know from the outset that he has disposed of his wife "Ida" - ostensibly pneumonia - but the local physician "Dr. Downer" (Ralph Morgan) is suspicious. Shortly after cleaning up on the inheritance, he moves with his friend "Maurice" (Martin Kosleck) to start afresh. Now you don't have to be Einstein to recognise that these two men are more than just roomies, and that causes a bit of consternation when "Dr. Sebastian" finds new prey. This time, in the guise of the deeply troubled "Linda" (Ellen Drew). With a marriage and a trip to Quito on the cards, might history be about to repeat itself? Well, fortunately for "Linda" reporter "Sawyer" (John Howard) is also a bit suspicious of the man, and after a bit of investigation and a chat with "Downer", the two begin to piece together quite a different persona for Rathbone than the one he has been successful peddling thus far. Can they act in time to thwart his malevolent plan? Tim Whelan allows his star to exude menace here. The script is really only adequate, but the pace is good and the gradually accumulating sense of peril - and a wonderfully seedy contribution from the increasingly envious "Maurice" leads us towards a conclusion where nothing is predictable. Actually, on that front I was a little disappointed, but all in all, this is a dark and effective tale of manipulation that is well worth a watch.

Release Date:

Dec 20, 1940 (United States)

Run Time:

1hr 30`

MMPA Rating:

NR

Original Language:

English

Production Countries:

United States

Status:

Released

Plot Keywords:

mad doctor

Related Movies To

The Mad Doctor

Write Review

Found 1 reviews in total

16 Apr 2023 by CinemaSerf

There is something really quite sinister to Basil Rathbone's title performance in this rather intimidating psychological thriller. We know from the outset that he has disposed of his wife "Ida" - ostensibly pneumonia - but the local physician "Dr. Downer" (Ralph Morgan) is suspicious. Shortly after cleaning up on the inheritance, he moves with his friend "Maurice" (Martin Kosleck) to start afresh. Now you don't have to be Einstein to recognise that these two men are more than just roomies, and that causes a bit of consternation when "Dr. Sebastian" finds new prey. This time, in the guise of the deeply troubled "Linda" (Ellen Drew). With a marriage and a trip to Quito on the cards, might history be about to repeat itself? Well, fortunately for "Linda" reporter "Sawyer" (John Howard) is also a bit suspicious of the man, and after a bit of investigation and a chat with "Downer", the two begin to piece together quite a different persona for Rathbone than the one he has been successful peddling thus far. Can they act in time to thwart his malevolent plan? Tim Whelan allows his star to exude menace here. The script is really only adequate, but the pace is good and the gradually accumulating sense of peril - and a wonderfully seedy contribution from the increasingly envious "Maurice" leads us towards a conclusion where nothing is predictable. Actually, on that front I was a little disappointed, but all in all, this is a dark and effective tale of manipulation that is well worth a watch.

Cast & Crew of

The Mad Doctor

Directors & Credit Writers

... Director

... Assistant Director

Cast

... Dr. George Sebastian / Dr. Langamann

... Linda Booth

... Gil Sawyer

... Louise Watkins (as Barbara Allen [Vera Vague])

... Dr. Charles Downer

... Maurice Gretz

... Winnie

... Lawrence Watkins

... Furber (Uncredited)

... Girl at Charity Bazaar (Uncredited)

... Intern (Uncredited)

... Mickey Barnes (Uncredited)

... Elevator Operator (Uncredited)

... Librarian (Uncredited)

... Police Officer at Train Station (Uncredited)

... Ticket Clerk (Uncredited)

... Hotel Clerk (Uncredited)

... Intern (Uncredited)

... Officer Riley (Uncredited)

... Butler (Uncredited)

Produced By

... Producer

Videos & Photos of

The Mad Doctor

Videos ( 1)

Photos ( 9 )

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