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The Mad Doctor

"DEATH LURKED IN HIS HYPNOTIC EYES!"

User Score11 votes
62%6.2/10
Release1940
Runtime1H 30M
LanguageEnglish
StatusReleased

Synopsis

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

Principal Cast8

Full Cast & Crew (41)

Media9

Backdrops

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Posters

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Director

Tim Whelan

Tim Whelan

Director →

Trailer

Certification

NR

Keywords

mad doctor

External Links

Reviews1

CinemaSerf7/10

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.

Apr 16, 2023

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Countries:United States of America
Production:Paramount Pictures