Search - Her Favorite Patient on DVD

Wartime Romantic Farce Salvaged By Capable Actors In Additio

rsoonsa | Lake Isabella, California | 06/16/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Director Andrew Stone is considered by some cinéastes as an auteur predicated upon his later work, but this frothy piece, originally titled BEDSIDE MANNER, is an example made during his earlier period, now available on an Alpha DVD that provides a more than merely acceptable print, utilizing the film's 1950 re-release, titled anew as HER FAVORITE PATIENT under the banner of Astor Pictures, with its rather disjointed plot, after Robert Carson's Saturday Evening Post story, offset by solid performances contributed by cast and crew members. Produced and directed by Stone, the movie is too silly to be dislikeable, depicting a visit to her Midwestern hometown by physician Hedy Fredericks (Ruth Hussey) while on the way to her research position with a Chicago institute. Her uncle, also a doctor, one of only two serving the burgeoning community, is overworked and desires that his niece remain in the town and aid with his practice, but Hedy is very resistant to that idea until her resolve is weakened after she meets a dashing test pilot, Morgan Hale (John Carroll) who, along with her "Uncle Doc" (Charles Ruggles) develop a scheme that, by hopefully eliminating any desire to continue on to Chicago, will enable Hedy to not only assume a portion of local medical responsibilities, but also to favour Morgan's not unwelcome romantic advances. Talented Hussey finds naught to tax her accomplished sense of comic timing, and costumes created for the slender star are first rate; Carroll is oddly appealing in an uncustomary comedic role; Ann Rutherford and Renee Godfrey stand out among many skilled supporting female players; Grant Mitchell effortlessly performs as Hale's boss; veteran character actor Frank Jenks heads a trio of amourous Marines; and pleasing turns come from Syd Saylor, mouthing bromides, and Earle Hodgins, a past master of garrulity. Efficient editing by Cecil De Mille alumnus James Smith is specially valuable for the film's pacing, as is fine sound quality engendered by Frank Webster, while the interior decor of Jacque Mapes and overall art direction under Rudi Feld also enhance this pleasant soufflé wherein occasional weakly composed dialogue is handled crisply by director Stone."