I do not tend to care for medical films from the time period this was made in; A films or B films (especially B films, though) because they take too many liberties, I feel, on the science of the medical field. However, this film is based on the play "Jupiter Laughs" by A. J. Cronin who was not only a really good writer but also a medical doctor, himself. As long as Koch and Froelich didn't go too far off that script, and based on their past work I don't see why they would, then as a film this would work out better than other medical dramas of the time, and I feel it did.
While plot is important in a film the plot in this is more to do with love than the medical field, especially since the main character of Dr. Paul Venner (played by James Stephenson) is working on 'dementia precox' (now commonly known as schizophrenia) as his field of study, inspired by the fact his father had it. The beginning of the film shows a fellow researcher stealing his work and having him forced out of not only his job but the country, as well which is how he comes to Scotland where he can do his work in a sanitarium. Don't get me wrong: the medical aspect is infused within the story, it mainly takes place in the sanitarium but with all love stories that soon becomes a backdrop.
Dr. Venner comes off crass to those around him especially his assistant Dr. Mary Murray (played by Geraldine Fitzgerald), and Dr. Murray always comes off as wanting some sort of recognition from Dr. Venner; not necessarily in the sense of academic or professional — but in any sense, really. As if she just wants to exist to him. They do closely work together but being in the same room, and medically conversing isn't necessarily the same as actually getting to know someone. In this you do get to know Dr. Venner and Dr. Venner gets to know Dr. Murray but it's always in the guise of the work rather than the feelings behind the work. But the story does eventually get past that.
I disliked the character of Miss Leeming (played by Barbara O'Neil). She saw Dr. Venner as a cold man, and in some ways he may have been but Miss Leeming also was a cold person and I felt the filmmakers used her as a protagonist. I dislike protagonists in films that don't necessarily need them though I guess she was needed for the end result of the film. Then there's Dr. Drewett (played by Donald Crisp), a loving and kind person. Crisp, as in many of his roles, plays the part splendidly I just wish his part was slightly more. Dr. Blake (played by Montagu Love) even as the leader of the sanitarium seems caring in certain aspects; usually they're not shown in such a way, always looking at the bottom line, and the next patient. There's even a small cameo by Bette Davis as a nurse.
Overall I quite enjoyed the film. With the film code, at the time, and certain sensibilities (in concern to the coming war) the film's ending could have been less than what it actually became. Actually, the entire film could have been different from the beginning to the end. The acting, script, direction was all good, in my opinion. Sometimes these types of films over-dramatized in character reactions, music, and plot but there was none of that; well, maybe one scene with Miss Leeming and Dr. Venner toward the end of the film but I've seen worse. I always felt 1941 was a great year for films, still do.
While plot is important in a film the plot in this is more to do with love than the medical field, especially since the main character of Dr. Paul Venner (played by James Stephenson) is working on 'dementia precox' (now commonly known as schizophrenia) as his field of study, inspired by the fact his father had it. The beginning of the film shows a fellow researcher stealing his work and having him forced out of not only his job but the country, as well which is how he comes to Scotland where he can do his work in a sanitarium. Don't get me wrong: the medical aspect is infused within the story, it mainly takes place in the sanitarium but with all love stories that soon becomes a backdrop.
Dr. Venner comes off crass to those around him especially his assistant Dr. Mary Murray (played by Geraldine Fitzgerald), and Dr. Murray always comes off as wanting some sort of recognition from Dr. Venner; not necessarily in the sense of academic or professional — but in any sense, really. As if she just wants to exist to him. They do closely work together but being in the same room, and medically conversing isn't necessarily the same as actually getting to know someone. In this you do get to know Dr. Venner and Dr. Venner gets to know Dr. Murray but it's always in the guise of the work rather than the feelings behind the work. But the story does eventually get past that.
I disliked the character of Miss Leeming (played by Barbara O'Neil). She saw Dr. Venner as a cold man, and in some ways he may have been but Miss Leeming also was a cold person and I felt the filmmakers used her as a protagonist. I dislike protagonists in films that don't necessarily need them though I guess she was needed for the end result of the film. Then there's Dr. Drewett (played by Donald Crisp), a loving and kind person. Crisp, as in many of his roles, plays the part splendidly I just wish his part was slightly more. Dr. Blake (played by Montagu Love) even as the leader of the sanitarium seems caring in certain aspects; usually they're not shown in such a way, always looking at the bottom line, and the next patient. There's even a small cameo by Bette Davis as a nurse.
Overall I quite enjoyed the film. With the film code, at the time, and certain sensibilities (in concern to the coming war) the film's ending could have been less than what it actually became. Actually, the entire film could have been different from the beginning to the end. The acting, script, direction was all good, in my opinion. Sometimes these types of films over-dramatized in character reactions, music, and plot but there was none of that; well, maybe one scene with Miss Leeming and Dr. Venner toward the end of the film but I've seen worse. I always felt 1941 was a great year for films, still do.