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The Mad Doctor

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6.0/10 • 10

1940-12-201h 30m

CrimeRomanceThriller

DEATH LURKED IN HIS HYPNOTIC EYES!

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

Directors
Tim Whelan
Editors
Archie Marshek

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Basil Rathbone

    Basil Rathbone

    Dr. George Sebastian / Dr. Langamann

  2. Ellen Drew

    Ellen Drew

    Linda Booth

  3. John Howard

    John Howard

    Gil Sawyer

  4. Barbara Jo Allen

    Barbara Jo Allen

    Louise Watkins (as Barbara Allen [Vera Vague])

  5. Ralph Morgan

    Ralph Morgan

    Dr. Charles Downer

  6. Martin Kosleck

    Martin Kosleck

    Maurice Gretz

  7. Kitty Kelly

    Kitty Kelly

    Winnie

  8. Hugh O'Connell

    Hugh O'Connell

    Lawrence Watkins

  9. Henry Victor

    Henry Victor

    Furber (Uncredited)

Reviews1

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CinemaSerf Avatar

CinemaSerf

Apr 16, 2023

7/10

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.

Media

  • The Mad Doctor poster
  • The Mad Doctor poster
  • The Mad Doctor poster
  • The Mad Doctor poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
mad doctor