Review of Doctor In The House

Introduction

Richard Gordon`s "Doctor" books were translated to the big screen throughout the 1950`s and 1960`s as a series of British comedies that rivalled the "Carry On" series. Trivia buffs may appreciate that the producer of the "Doctor" films was Betty E Box, wife of "Carry On" producer Peter Rogers; and "Carry On" director Gerald Thomas` brother Ralph directed the "Doctor" films.

The early "Doctor" films were starring vehicles for Dirk Bogarde, ably supported by many veteran British comedy actors and cinematic greats such as Kenneth More and Brigitte Bardot. Later movies formed the backbone of Leslie Phillips` career, but through all the films one constant was the larger-than-life character of James Robertson-Justice as Sir Lancelot Spratt. It is James Robertson-Justice who elicits the best laugh in the movie barking at a student doctor: "You cut a patient, he bleeds, until the processes of nature form a clot and stop it. This interval is known scientifically as the bleeding time." He rounds on Our Hero. "What`s the bleeding time?" "Ten past ten, Sir."

Video

The film is presented in its original 4:3 aspect ratio and glowing Technicolor. The image is sharp and strikingly colourful for a movie from an era when most British movies were in greyscale. I got the impression of a very slight smearing of fleshtone details in some shots, but only on occasion and you would really have to be looking. Otherwise, the film looks really pristine.

Audio

The sound is only mono. The genius of these films is in the scripting, in this case by Nicholas Phipps from Richard Gordon`s novel. The score was by early Carry On composer Bruce Montgomery.

Features

Extras are only subtitles, but it would be difficult to locate any material that could constitute extras.

Conclusion

This was the movie that started the "Doctor" series and spawned multiple tv series of the same theme. Subtler than the "Carry On"`s and full of junior doctor hi-jinks, these pictures were part of the golden age of British film comedy. Although not as numerous as the "Carry On"`s, the series successfully made the transition to tv and started the careers of - among others - Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie, Graham Chapman, Robin Nedwell, Barry Evans and George Layton who were all mainstays of the 1970`s comedy scene. A great trip down memory lane.