Apuros de um Médico

More medical antics in the classic "doctor" series. What plot there is concerns 2 young doctors (Burke & Hare) attempting to drag a quaint old medical practice into the 20th century. Doctor In Love does lose something without Dirk Bogarde, but the wonderful James Robertson Justice "I shall do nothing of the kind!" makes up for it. There were excellent small roles for Joan Sims as a stripper and John le meseruir (I bet I've spelled that wrong?) as an officious doctor who dares to tangle with "Sir Lancelot". The scene where Robertson Justice accidentally finds himself in a strip club and then breaks through into the medical conference next door accompanied by strippers and a gorilla is hilarious. It's a sad coincidence that Virginia Maskell (the new young doctor) and Carole Lesley (Dr Burke's girlfriend) both ended their own lives a few years later. They were both beautiful. Doctor In Love isn't the best in the series (Michael Craig is NO Bogarde) but it's certainly worth watching and made me laugh quite a lot.

Just caught this film on the Talking Pictures TV channel, and thought I might as well watch it.

I thought that I had seen them all but apparently not, it's ok and pretty much par for the course.

There is absolutely no need to look for any kind of plot in these movies, they were always bereft of such frivolities.

Rather like the Carry On movies that I suppose should be thought of as their successors, or rather more of the Follow On's.

Oh dear I am afraid that is an example of my jokes and also somewhat, of the level of humour presented in these films.

They are all both improbable and predictable in their sets, scenes and characters, which fits in perfectly with the plethora of different actors.

What saved the movie for me from the usual run of them is the inimitable, James Robertson Justice as the irascible Sir Lancelot Spratt.

Personally he is the film he has by far the best lines and provides easily, the funniest scenes in the entire film.

No Dirk Bogarde?! Well this Doctor installment is doomed before it even begins. No Sparrow, no Joy - Burke and Hare are adequate, but it's not the same calibre as the last films. Though James Robertson Justice is wonderful, his Lancelot Spratt seems to get better as they go along. His performance in this, as he is about to go under the knife himself, is indescribable, and not to be missed. Priceless comedy! Almost makes up for the silliness of the rest. Another great moment is when he and two young strippers (who have luckily not yet stripped!) burst through a screen showing a great ape and into an auditorium, full of stately old gentleman; who all seem pretty pleased at the disturbance. 6/10

I you are a fan of the British 'Doctor' films, this one is an example of one of the movies without the familiar Dirk Bogarde playing Dr. Sparrow. Instead, this one focuses on two other doctors, Burke and Hare (see IMDb Trivia for more about that)--two screw-ups who spend much of their time chasing women and trying to make a go of it in jobs outside of the hospital. As usual, James Robertson Justice is on hand but Dr. Spratt is seen less in this one because so much of the picture is set outside the hospital.

Like the other Doctor films, this one is a combination of light comedy and drama. A few of the funnier bits involved Burke and Hare hanging out at a research center investigating the common cold as well as Dr. Spratt attending a naughty show when the police make a raid. But the movie also has its touching moments, such as the dying boy. All in all, a very good film but also light and enjoyable as well--more an excellent time-passer than anything else.

I have all these Doctors' films on DVD ! They make for good watching although they are not as funny as the Carry-ons ! As for today's comedies, they are non-existent compared to these. My favorite character HAS to be James Robertson Justice as Sir Lancelot Spratt ! He's even funnier in "Doctor in Clover". Its a shame that his appearances in these films always seem to be fleeting and over in a jiffy ! I did not know the actor Michael Craig and found his performance the least interesting ! On the other hand I have always loved Leslie Philips and he never fails to give a hilarious performance with his ill-planned sexual adventures ! He's much funnier than Dirk Bogarde who played in some of the initial "Doctor" films. Fenella Fielding is a character on her own as is Nicholas Parsons ! There are some lovely ladies in the film, including Virginia Maskell and I was most distressed to discover that two of the most beautiful actually committed suicide in real life during the years following the film. Very "early sixties", this film also serves as a documentary record of what is henceforth turning into our distant past .............