Doctor in Love

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 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 .............

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.

This, the third sequel to Doctor In The House, Doctor In Love, sees the temporary absence of Dirk Bogarde's Simon Sparrow (he returned for Doctor In Distress); instead chief medical duties fall to Michael Craig's Doctor Hare, an equally young and inexperienced young Doctor.

In truth, though Craig is a likeable leading man, his role is largely dispensable as the main centre of interest is, (for me anyway) the wonderful comic cast gathered for this movie. You can't help feeling sorry for Craig, as he shares scenes with such great scene-stealers as Leslie Philips (in his `Doctor' debut as the aptly named Doctor Burke), Irene Handle, Joan Sims and Liz Fraser. The last two (together with Philips) were at the time mainstays of the `Carry On' films and help bring a touch of sauce to the proceedings.

Of course, no mention of the cast could ignore the great James Robinson Justice, once again playing Sir Lancelot Spratt. Though off-screen for quite awhile, his scenes are the most memorable of the movie and, as always, he never fails to make me laugh out loud.

Doctor In Love isn't perfect, for example I found it hard to sit through the song that plays through the opening credits without feeling slightly embarrassed (it's awful!). Also you can't fail to notice that there doesn't seem to be any plot to speak of, more a collection of sketches (there is a romantic interest, played by the very lovely Virginia Maskell of Only Two Can Play fame, but she's introduced pretty late in the movie). But these are minor flaws.

It's true that compared to contemporary comedies, Doctor In Love is obviously from a more innocent age, but if your willing to give it a try, it remains perfect Sunday afternoon viewing.

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.