Doctor at Sea(film)
Doctor at Sea | |
---|---|
![]() Original British 1955quad film poster | |
Directed by | Ralph Thomas |
Screenplay by | Nicholas Phipps Richard Gordon Jack Davies |
Based on | Doctor at Sea byRichard Gordon |
Produced by | Betty E. Box |
Starring | Dirk Bogarde Brigitte Bardot James Robertson Justice Brenda De Banzie Joan Sims |
Cinematography | Ernest Steward |
Edited by | Frederick Wilson |
Music by | Bruce Montgomery |
Production company | Group Film Productions |
Distributed by | Rank Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 93 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Box office | 1,111,404 admissions (France)[1] |
Doctor at Seais a 1955 Britishcomedy film,directed byRalph Thomas,produced byBetty E. Box,and based onRichard Gordon's 1953novel of the same name.This was the second of seven films in theDoctorseries, following the hugely popularDoctor in the Housefrom the previous year. Once again, Richard Gordon participated in the screenwriting, together withNicholas PhippsandJack Davies,and once againDirk Bogardeplayed the lead character Dr Simon Sparrow. The cast also includesJames Robertson JusticeandJoan Simsfrom the first film, but this time playing different characters. This wasBrigitte Bardot's first English-speaking film.
Plot[edit]
To escape his employers' daughter, who has amorous designs on him, Dr. Simon Sparrow (Bogarde) signs on as medical officer on a cargo ship, the SSLotus.The ship is commanded by the hot-tempered and authoritarian Captain Wentworth Hogg.
Sparrow overcomes initialseasicknessand settles into life on board. After arriving in a Brazilian port (a local woman demands two hundredcruzeirosfrom Sparrow), he meets Hélène Colbert (Bardot), a young French woman who is anightclub singer.
Captain Hogg is ordered to take on two female passengers, Muriel Mallet (De Banzie), the daughter of the chairman of the shipping company, and her friend Hélène for the return trip. The unmarried Hogg is pursued by Muriel, who, having her father's ear, promises him almost certain promotion to the rank ofcommodorewithin the company if he were to marry her.
Romance blossoms between Sparrow and Hélène, but she declines his tentative marriage proposal. However, as they reach home port, Sparrow finds out that she has received a telegram offering her a job inRio de Janeiro,which he had told her is the destination for his ship on its next trip. The film ends as they embrace and kiss.
Main cast[edit]
- Dirk Bogardeas Dr. Simon Sparrow
- James Robertson Justiceas Captain Hogg
- Brenda De Banzieas Muriel Mallet
- Brigitte Bardotas Hélène Colbert
- Maurice Denhamas Steward Easter
- Michael Medwinas Third Officer Trail
- Hubert Greggas Second Officer Archer
- James Kenney as Fellowes
- Raymond Huntleyas Capt. Beamish
- Geoffrey Keenas Chief Officer Hornbeam
- George Coulourisas Ship's Carpenter
- Noel Purcellas Corbie
- Jill Adamsas Jill
- Joan Simsas Wendy
- Cyril Chamberlainas Whimble
- Toke Townleyas Jenkins
- Thomas Heathcoteas Wilson
- Eugene Deckersas Chief of Police
- Michael Shepleyas Jill's father
- Felix Feltonas Dr George Thomas
Reception[edit]
The film was the third most popular movie at the British box office in 1955, afterThe Dam BustersandWhite Christmas.[2][3]
Thomas claimed in 1956 that it made half a million pounds profit.[4]
Critical[edit]
Varietyaccused Rank studios of playing safe, writing that "Doctor at Sea does not rise to the same laugh-provoking heights as its predecessor".[5]TheRadio Timesalso found it "short on truly comic incident, and the shipboard location is limiting",[6]butAllmoviewrote, "Often funnier than its predecessor, Doctor at Sea proved the viability of the" Doctor "series."[7]
Awards[edit]
- Nominated, 1956 BAFTA Film Award,Best British Screenplay,Nicholas Phipps and Jack Davies.[8]
Sequels[edit]
This was the second installment of theDoctor seriesof films, with Bogarde featuring in the first three.
References[edit]
- ^Box office information for filmat Box Office Story
- ^"'The Dam Busters'",The Times[London, England], 29 December 1955: 12. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 11 July 2012.
- ^Thumim, Janet."The popular cash and culture in the postwar British cinema industry".Screen.Vol. 32, no. 3. p. 259.
- ^"Overseas movie gossip".The Australian Women's Weekly.Vol. 24, no. 26. Australia. 28 November 1956. p. 79.Retrieved24 May2016– via National Library of Australia.
- ^"Doctor at Sea".Variety.January 1, 1955.
- ^"Doctor at Sea – review".Radio Times.
- ^"Doctor at Sea (1955)".AllMovie.Archived from the original on 2019-05-16.
{{cite web}}
:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^"BAFTA Awards".BASTA.
External links[edit]
- Doctor at SeaatIMDb
- Doctor at SeaatBritmovie