Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant

World War II era bobbysoxers got their first real exposure to Van Johnson as he tries to become Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant. With Dr. Kildare now gone, Lionel Barrymore needs a new protégé. In fact so to speak Dr. Gillespie's New Protégé might be a better title.

He's got an interesting group to choose from Johnson is in a friendly competition of sorts with Richard Quine from Australia and Keye Luke from Brooklyn who wants to eventually go to China and serve in the war effort.

The main plot of the story involved a new bride in Susan Peters recently married to Stephen McNally who all of sudden forgets everything about herself including her new husband. I won't go into the details, but sometimes Lionel Barrymore whether he was assisted by Lew Ayres, Van Johnson or anyone else always seemed to know that not all problems are solvable medically.

Barrymore would carry the series through the World War II years, but it missed something when Lew Ayres departed. Still Van Johnson does well in the role of the young idealistic man of medicine and Susan Peters scores well as the forgetful bride.

Overworked Dr. Gillespie (Lionel Barrymore) is forced to pick a new assistant. So he takes three potential candidates (Van Johnson, Keye Luke, Richard Quine) and gives each of them a case to see who will get the position. The main case involves a newly-married woman (Susan Peters) with amnesia.

Barrymore and the series regulars are great. Once again MGM seems to be trying to fill the void left by Lew Ayres. Robert Sterling and Philip Dorn didn't work, so this time they increase their odds. Although, really, only Van Johnson was a serious contender. He does fine. Richard Quine is ridiculous with the worst Australian accent I've ever heard. He would marry pretty Susan Peters after this film. Keye Luke is lots of fun, just as he was during his Charlie Chan years. He gets a lot of the wartime-flavored dialogue about Japs.

This isn't one of the better Gillespie films. The resolution to the main story is very weak. The addition of Johnson and Luke to the cast helps keeps things light (Quine's character thankfully leaves for Australia at the end). It's enjoyable enough if you're a fan of the series but not a good jumping on point for new viewers. Hilarious ending though.

Susan Peters steals this film and demonstrates her superior acting ability in an entrancing performance. Her abilities at hard drama at the young age of 21 showed tremendous promise. Unfortunately it became necessary for this brilliant young woman to become an example of human courage and fortitude in her personal life during its short remaining course. Susan Peters can serve as an example of fortitude and endurance for all of us.

A very good actor Van Johnson is also superior in this intelligent film. Dedicated, hard working actor Stephen McNally gives a solid performance. And Keye Luke proves once again how he went on to become an American acting institution in a role seemingly custom-written for him, highlighted by a stirring short soliloquy concerning the tormented condition of China that you can tell Mr. Luke sincerely believed.

A well written and distinguished film, well acted. You rarely find a film of this integrity and so populated by immense talent before and behind the camera.

Whenever a Dr. Gillespie film comes on TV, I try to see it. This is because the series is awfully good--and always entertaining. However, I must admit that this one was a bit of a disappointment. Not bad...just not as good as I'd assumed it would be.

Dr. Gillespie, as usual, is overworking and the nurses and hospital administrator are pushing him to get an assistant. So, Gillespie agrees and has three of his most promising students take on cases to see which one does best--as the best man will earn the position. Two of the cases are a bit mundane but one involves a woman who suddenly shows symptoms of amnesia--which is a real stumper.

So why is this a bit disappointing? Well, the amnesia case turns out to be remarkably silly. Additionally, there is a small bit that seems to be PRO-wife beating! You really have to see this to believe it! Not a terrible film but a disappointing one.

By the way, the city of Woolloomooloo is a real place to the South of Sydney. It's a relatively large city and I was just there a few weeks ago.