DOCTOR AT SEA
UK, 1955, 93 minutes, Colour.
Dirk Bogarde, Brigitte Bardot, James Robertson Justice, Maurice Denham, Michael Medwin, Hubert Gregg, Raymond Huntly, Geoffrey Keen, George Coulouris, Joan Sims, Brenda de Banzie.
Directed by Ralph Thomas.
Doctor at Sea is the second of the films based on Richard Gordon’s best-selling comedy novels about the medical profession. In 1954, the ensemble, led by producer Betty Box and director Ralph Thomas, had a great success with Doctor in the House. Dirk Bogarde emerged as a romantic lead for comedies. He also made Doctor at Large and Doctor in Distress. In the other Doctor films, Michael Craig appeared in one and Leslie Philips in two.
This is all predictable material – but done in an entertaining way by the very British-style dialogue, cast, performance – along with Brigitte Bardot early in her career as the leading lady. James Robertson Justice usually played Sir Lancelot Spratt in the Doctor films. This time he is Captain Hogg. A very good cast of British character actors appear in support, especially Joan Sims who was to make her name in the Carry On series and Brenda de Banzie.
1.The popularity of the Doctor series? From the 1950s? British comedy? The characters, the dialogue, the touch of innuendo?
2.Dirk Bogarde as Simon Sparrow, the romantic English lead? His work in practice, his partner going to golf, trying to marry him off to their daughter Wendy? His deciding to go to sea? His work on the boat, Easter as his assistant? Captain Hogg and his demands, uniform, medicines, pills to calm him down? The other officers? Life on board? Going ashore? The encounter with Helene? Ending up in prison after drinking with Archer? Their being freed? Back on board, Helene in his cabin? The encounters with her, with the captain, the captain being plagued by the owner’s daughter? The happy ending?
3.Brigitte Bardot, her screen presence, Helene, in France, on board, with the men? The very minor sex kitten in the British comedy compared with the French films of the time?
4.Easter, his being a jack-of-all-trades? Supporting Simon? His wife on shore? In prison?
5.Captain Hogg, the blustering in the James Robertson Justice style?
6.Sublieutenant Trail and the other officers? On shore? On board? Archer, prim, his drinking, prison? Hornbeam and the more serious members of the crew?
7.Carpenter, his illusions, seeing dogs? Noel Purcell as the tall sailor – and the classic scene of his bent back and standing upright when he saw Brigitte Bardot? Raymond Huntly as Captain Beamish and his relish of passing on the owner’s daughter to Captain Hogg?
8.The owner’s daughter, Brenda de Banzie and her style, dominance, taking everything for granted – and the possibility of becoming engaged to Captain Hogg!
9.Popular ingredients and the British comedy style of the times?
