Once a Doctor
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
William Clemens
Jean Muir
Donald Woods
Gordon Oliver
Joseph King
Henry Kolker
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Dr. Steven Brace is continually covering for his irresponsible foster brother and fellow physician Jerry in order to spare his foster father, Dr. Frank Brace, from disappointment. Both brothers are in love with Paula Nordland, the daughter of brain surgeon Dr. Bruce Nordland. Nordland recognizes that Steven is the better doctor and plans to make him his assistant. Jerry is having an affair with Ruby Horton, one of the hospital nurses. After drinking heavily, he crashes his car, seriously injuring Ruby. Because he was supposed to be on duty, Jerry brings Ruby to her home rather than to the hospital. When Steven arrives at the hospital to do some work, Jerry begs him to leave immediately to care for Ruby. Steven protests that he already offered to substitute for another doctor, but finally agrees to do this final favor for Jerry, provided he sober up and attend to the other doctor's patient. Jerry agrees, but after Steven leaves, he continues to drink and the patient dies. Ruth is also dead by the time Steven arrives at her house. The next day, Steven is blamed for both deaths. Steven begs Jerry to tell the truth, but faced by his father, Jerry again displays his cowardice and lies, and Steven is barred from medical practice. Suspecting the truth, Nordland offers Steven work as a nurse at a free clinic for poor people. With the knowledge of the clinic's doctor, Lewis, Steven performs operations with success. One day, an injured a child is brought in, and the only thing that can save him is an operation invented by Nordland, who is out of town. Steven sends for his foster father, who refuses to perform the operation after he examines the patient. Steven tries to convince Brace to take a chance, as it is the only hope the child has, but when Brace continues to refuse, he announces that he will perform the operation himself. Brace tells him that he will call the police if he goes ahead. Nonetheless, Steven performs the operation and is sent to prison after the child dies. After a short term, he is remandered to Nordland's custody. Nordland plans to send him to Cuba, where he will be able to practice medicine. Steve boards a freighter at the same time that Jerry, Brace and Paula sail for the island on another boat. Jerry is still drinking, and when Brace tries to throw his bottle overboard, Jerry pushes him, which results in a serious head injury. To stop Jerry from operating in his drunken state, Paula begs the captain to send a radio call for help, which is picked up by Steven's ship. Not knowing the injured man is Brace, Steven agrees to operate and, at great danger to himself, he transfers to the boat during rough seas. Upon learning the identity of his prospective patient, Steven is about to leave, when Paula reminds him of his Hippocratic oath. The operation is a success, and after Brace recovers, Jerry confesses. Brace and Steven reconcile, allowing Steven to propose to Paula.
Director
William Clemens
Cast
Jean Muir
Donald Woods
Gordon Oliver
Joseph King
Henry Kolker
Gordon Hart
Joseph Crehan
Louise Stanley
David Carlyle
Edward Stanley
Houseley Stevenson
Guy Usher
Thomas Pogue
Ed Keane
Harlan Tucker
Cy Kendall
Crew
Milo Anderson
Frank Daugherty
Drew Eberson
Bryan Foy
Ben Grauman Kohn
Clarence Kolster
Lu O'connell
Paul Perez
Gus Shy
Ted Smith
Jack L. Warner
Robertson White
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Although Frank Daugherty is credited with the original story, the plot of this film is very similar to the 1932 First National film Alias, the Doctor, which was based on a play by Emerich Földes.
