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CrimeRomanceThriller

The Mad Doctor

- DEATH LURKED IN HIS HYPNOTIC EYES!

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

Release Date : 1940-12-20

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Paramount Pictures

Production Country : United States of America

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Basil Rathbone

Character Name : Dr. George Sebastian / Dr. Langamann

Original Name : Basil Rathbone

Gender : Male

Ellen Drew

Character Name : Linda Booth

Original Name : Ellen Drew

Gender : Female

John Howard

Character Name : Gil Sawyer

Original Name : John Howard

Gender : Male

Barbara Jo Allen

Character Name : Louise Watkins (as Barbara Allen [Vera Vague])

Original Name : Barbara Jo Allen

Gender : Female

Ralph Morgan

Character Name : Dr. Charles Downer

Original Name : Ralph Morgan

Gender : Male

Martin Kosleck

Character Name : Maurice Gretz

Original Name : Martin Kosleck

Gender : Male

Kitty Kelly

Character Name : Winnie

Original Name : Kitty Kelly

Gender : Female

Hugh O'Connell

Character Name : Lawrence Watkins

Original Name : Hugh O'Connell

Gender : Male

Henry Victor

Character Name : Furber (Uncredited)

Original Name : Henry Victor

Gender : Male

Wanda McKay

Character Name : Girl at Charity Bazaar (Uncredited)

Original Name : Wanda McKay

Gender : Female

James Seay

Character Name : Intern (Uncredited)

Original Name : James Seay

Gender : Male

William Benedict

Character Name : Mickey Barnes (Uncredited)

Original Name : William Benedict

Gender : Male

George Chandler

Character Name : Elevator Operator (Uncredited)

Original Name : George Chandler

Gender : Male

Edward Earle

Character Name : Librarian (Uncredited)

Original Name : Edward Earle

Gender : Male

Chuck Hamilton

Character Name : Police Officer at Train Station (Uncredited)

Original Name : Chuck Hamilton

Gender : Male

Harry Hayden

Character Name : Ticket Clerk (Uncredited)

Original Name : Harry Hayden

Gender : Male

Douglas Kennedy

Character Name : Hotel Clerk (Uncredited)

Original Name : Douglas Kennedy

Gender : Male

John Laing

Character Name : Intern (Uncredited)

Original Name : John Laing

Gender : Male

Charles McAvoy

Character Name : Officer Riley (Uncredited)

Original Name : Charles McAvoy

Gender : Male

Howard M. Mitchell

Character Name : Butler (Uncredited)

Original Name : Howard M. Mitchell

Gender : Male

Ruth Rogers

Character Name : Woman at Charity Bazaar (Uncredited)

Original Name : Ruth Rogers

Gender : Female

Sheila Ryan

Character Name : Hostess at Charity Bazaar (Uncredited)

Original Name : Sheila Ryan

Gender : Female

Hugh Sothern

Character Name : Dr. Hatch (Uncredited)

Original Name : Hugh Sothern

Gender : Male

Max Wagner

Character Name : Cab Driver (Uncredited)

Original Name : Max Wagner

Gender : Male

Reviews

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2023-04-16

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.