The story of Dr. Kildare.
Whatsoever house I enter there will I go for the benefit of the sick.
Whatsoever things I see or hear concerning the life of men, I will keep silence thereon,
counting such things to be held as sacred trusts.
I will exercise my arts.
The story of Dr. Kildare, starring Lou Ayers and Lionel Barrymore.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer brought you those famous motion pictures.
Now this exciting, heartwarming series is heard on radio.
In just a moment, the story of Dr. Kildare.
But first, your announcer.
Now the story of Dr. Kildare, starring Lou Ayers as Dr. Kildare and Lionel Barrymore
as Dr. Gillespie.
Blair General Hospital, one of the great synodels of American medicine.
The clump of grey-white buildings planted deep in the heart of New York, nerve center
of medical progress, where great minds and skilled hands wage man's everlasting battle
against death and disease.
Blair General Hospital, where life begins, where life ends, where life goes on.
Dr. Gillespie, I looked for symptoms of childhood predisposition right in the beginning of the
case and there weren't any, so forget it.
No sign of it.
But Jimmy, are you sure you got a complete history of the patient?
Of course I did.
Look, it's a simple case of nutritional anemia.
There's no question about the diagnosis or why or the third degree.
Oh, just checking, Jimmy, that's all.
I've been doing quite a lot of that lately.
Am I starting to slip, Doctor?
No, no.
Of course not.
But I'm not doing so well at diagnosing my own cases, maybe.
Well, nonsense.
Of course you're doing well.
Perhaps I'm careless, not conscientious enough.
Oh, don't be ridiculous.
Well, then let's get to the real reason, shall we?
It's that overdeveloped curiosity of yours.
Me?
Curiosity?
Mm-hmm.
You just can't bear to have anything happen around here that you're nodding on.
Well, I have never been so falsely accused in my entire professional career.
I've always confined myself strictly to my own specific duty.
Which apparently include the whole hospital and half of New York City.
Just name one time, go on, one lone single solitary time that I've ever butted into
somebody else's business.
Why, I could think...
Oh, hello, Parker.
Well, I'm back, Dr. Gillespie, Dr. Kildare.
And I'll say one thing, I've never seen such a storm in my life.
Why, I was nearly blown off my feet just getting out of the taxi.
Parker, never mind the weather report.
What's new over at the Eastside Clinic?
Well, at least let me get my hat off before you start the third degree.
I've never seen anyone with as much curiosity as you have got.
Why, Dr. Kildare, did I say something funny?
No, but Dr. Gillespie just did.
Parker, don't pay any attention to him.
He has an abnormal sense of humor.
Oh, really?
Well, I've never noticed any particular...
I'll get it.
Dr. Kildare speaking.
Jimmy, this is Bill Frazier at the Coast Guard Radio Base.
Oh, Bill, well, I haven't heard from you in months.
How's everything?
Fine, we'll probably get a chance to talk about it later.
Look, Jimmy, we've got an emergency here that sounds like it's up your alley.
What sort of an emergency?
It's a young seaman, apparently in pretty bad shape,
needs medical attention.
I see, and he's over there at the base.
No, he's on a freighter 280 miles out at sea.
The ship's fighting heavy seas and may not make port for 48 to 60 hours.
They left the ship's doctor in Lahav,
thought maybe that you might be able to talk to Captain and tell him what to do.
All right, Bill, I'll be over there in about 20 minutes.
Where are we going, Jimmy?
We?
I don't see any need for you going out in this weather just to...
No, don't be an idiot.
Parker, get my hat and coat.
CGRB 4 calling MS Polermo.
CGRB 4 calling MS Polermo.
Come in, Polermo.
Little slow at answering, aren't they, Bill?
Yeah, I guess they're having some kind of...
MS Polermo standing by.
Here we go.
Go ahead, CGRB 4.
MS Polermo, regarding your request for medical assistance,
we have a request for medical assistance.
What's the request?
We have a request for medical assistance.
What's the request?
We have a request for medical assistance.
What's the request?
MS Polermo, regarding your request for medical assistance,
we have Dr. Kildare here now in the transmitter room.
Will you get the skipper?
Roger. Stand by.
I don't know what we can do from here, but...
Captain Douglas, MS Polermo in route to New York.
WKOAM speaking 70. Over.
Dr. Kildare, Captain, what's the trouble?
Over.
Here's the picture, Doctor.
This seaman is suffering from severe stomach cramps.
His entire abdomen is swollen and very tender toward the right-hand side.
He's running a fever and feels sick to his stomach. Over.
His appendicitis, Jimmy, is not a doubt of it.
Thank you, Doctor.
Captain Douglas, it sounds very much like acute appendicitis. Over.
Yes, that's what we thought.
Since we don't have a doctor on board, what's your advice? Over.
How long has he been this way?
About 12 hours.
And how long before you'll reach port?
Two days at least. It's rough going out here. Over.
All right, Captain Douglas, just a moment.
Stand by, Polermo.
Roger.
Dr. Gillespie, I doubt if there's even a slight chance he can hold out 48 hours
without that appendix rupturing, even in an ice pack.
No, no, no, he should be operated on right now, which of course is impossible.
Bill, isn't there any other ship near the planet?
I mean, the one that does have a doctor aboard?
No, Jim, it wouldn't do any good anyway.
The wind's dropping out there now, but it's kicked up one of the worst ground swells in years.
It's out of the question to transfer a man from one ship to another.
Makes you feel so completely helpless.
I need a pair of hands that could save that man's life if they could only reach him.
They can't.
No, no, no, unless you could find some way to send them by radio.
And as far as I know...
Wait a second. That may be it.
What may be what?
Radio.
Ah, Jimmy, you're out of your mind.
I've been done before. I wonder if there's anyone on board with some medical background.
Any experience at all?
Yeah, I think your best bet's the radio operator.
He was telling me earlier about being in the Navy medics during the war, but he's no doctor.
Kildare, you can't perform an operation by radio.
Without an operation, that man's going to die.
Bill, let me talk to Captain Douglas again.
Right.
CGRB-4 calling MS Palermo.
CGRB-4 calling MS Palermo.
Oh, come on in, Parker. Would you bring the book?
Yes. Yes, here it is, Dr. Kildare. I hope I got here in time.
Yes, plenty of time. Now, let's see.
Grable's Elements of Surgery, illustrated edition, 1939.
That's the book, isn't it?
It's the same one they have on board, and this will give us something to work from.
Bill, will you contact the Palermo and we'll see how they're coming along with their preparations.
Right, Jimmy.
The book here now. I can start briefing that operator.
What's his name, by the way?
Steve Nelson.
No, I...
CGRB-4 calling MS Palermo.
CGRB-4 calling MS Palermo.
What's going on, Dr. Gillespie?
Parker, you are looking at a one-time brilliant young doctor who, under the pressure of circumstance, has gone slightly mad.
You don't mean that you'll finally...
No, no, I don't mean that I anything.
Parker, I think he's referring to me.
CGRB-4 calling MS Palermo. Come in, Palermo.
What's wrong, Bill?
Well, we've lost contact for the moment. Reception's been pretty bad most of the day.
CGRB-4 calling MS Palermo.
Jimmy, have you thought what would happen if we lost contact in the middle of an operation?
You know what would happen as well as I do.
Only we won't. We can't.
CGRB-4 calling MS Palermo.
All right, Dr. Kildare, page 291, illustration number three. I've got it now. Go ahead.
Now, Steve, notice the spot on the abdomen that's labeled McBurney's point there in the illustration.
Now, that's where your incision will start. Do you see it?
McBurney's point. Okay, doctor.
All right. Now, the first layer of muscle runs obliquely across the abdomen. It's marked transversus abdominis.
Transversus abdominis. Right.
Make your incision about three inches long and parallel to the direction of the muscles.
Fasten it open with retracted clamps before you go on.
Yes, sir. I understand.
The next muscle layer is called rectus abdominis and runs vertically.
So you'll make a vertical incision through it.
A vertical incision. Yes, sir.
The idea is to avoid cutting across the muscle fibers whenever possible.
Now, when you've opened the second layer, put clamps on it, too.
Yes, I... Dr. Kildare.
Yes, Steve.
Dr. Kildare, I... Stand by a minute, will you?
All right.
Nelson, what's the trouble? Captain, I can't do it.
You're the only man aboard who could possibly do it.
I'm sorry, sir. If he were hurt or something, I could give him first aid.
But to cut a man open calmly and deliberately... Captain, I can't do it, and that's all.
I can't order you to do it, Nelson. I know how you feel. I couldn't do it either.
Make radio contact and we'll advise the Coast Guard in New York.
Well, that's that, Jimmy. Now what?
You know, the only answer is to be there and board that freighter.
There's no other way.
Well, Jim, the Coast Guard's equipped with some pretty modern stuff,
but we still don't have any guided missiles for rapid passenger service.
No, but you do have a helicopter.
Yeah, there's one out at the Long Island base.
Uh-huh. Kildare.
And a few months ago, you used it to drop a couple of firefighters
on board a burning tanker off the Virginia coast. I remember reading about it.
Ah, now wait, Jimmy. That was in broad daylight on a calm sea,
and then those boys had been trained for it.
It doesn't sound very complicated to me to step off a rope ladder onto the deck of a ship.
In the middle of the night, with that ship pitching and rolling 30 degrees,
it's a lot more complicated than you think.
No, no, Jimmy. It's too risky even to think of.
Now, look, Dr. Gillespie, don't make a production out of it. It's got to be done.
So let's do it. Okay?
Okay.
All right, Jim, I'll let the Palermo know and then call the base.
I think Lieutenant Dane will be the best pilot for it.
CGRB 4 calling MS Palermo. Come in, Palermo.
MS Palermo standing by. Go ahead, New York.
Captain Douglas, please.
Captain's right here.
Douglas speaking. Go ahead.
We're going to try landing a doctor on board by helicopter.
What's your present position? Over.
Latitude 39, 31, 14 north. Longitude 68, 42, 25 west.
Our course is 263 degrees, proceeding at five knots. Over.
Roger. Weather conditions.
Storm's clearing. The wind is down to force five and dropping.
The swell's still bad.
Visibility?
Around 2,000 yards.
After dark, though, you could probably see our searchlights for five or six miles. Over.
All right, Captain Douglas. We'll line up this end first. Stand by, Palermo.
Roger.
Let's see now. If everything goes smoothly, I ought to be on board by 10 o'clock tonight, huh?
Yeah. Then it'll take us about a half hour to... to there.
What is it, Doctor?
At my age, I can't go hopping out of helicopters onto moving ships.
Yes, I know.
Dr. Gillespie, I guess I'll just have to manage this one alone.
By the great horns.
But don't worry, though. I'll tell you all about it. Tell you everything I've done.
After I've done it.
We will return to the story of Dr. Kildare in just a moment.
And now, we continue with the story of Dr. Gillespie.
Now we continue with the story of dr. Kildare starring Lou Ayers as dr. Kildare and Lionel Barrymore as dr. Gillis be
There she is oh
Yeah, it's a good thing they've got that search line
Otherwise, it'd be tough finding the Queen Mary out here tonight when this died off some more
I'll drop down 100 feet
They're swinging the light this way lieutenant. They must have seen us. Yeah
Look at the size of those swells. It's ain't gonna be easy doc. They can't always find a turkey in your soup. Yeah
I'll be sitting up here in the cockpit nice and cozy
You're the one that's gonna be dangling the end of that 50-foot rope ladder. You're so right
I guess I better crack the Mike Litt Frasier know we're over the ship
CG airborne 21 to CG RB for CG airborne 21 to CG RB for
CGRB for standing by go ahead a 21
Bill I'm hovering over the Palermo now a hundred feet up got the searchlight on us the midship decks all lit up
And some of the crew are out on it. I
Guess we're ready to have a go at it. Thought you'd like to know
Good
How's killed airfield ask him?
Bill suppose I tell you how I feel in about 10 minutes right now. I'm numb
Yeah, I'd be too. Good luck. Thanks
Well, dr. Gillespie now, why don't you go back to the hospital and get some sleep?
Elementary my dear doctor
And another thing Jimmy be sure to check for any symptom of secondary
Sorry if that's against regulations, but this is just no time for backseat drive
Yeah, I know doc. I feel the same way every time the CEO tries to tell me how to fly
Well, I'm holding steady at around 60 or 70 feet over the deck. I
Guess the times come
Hey you get out through that trap door right behind the seat there. All right
I'll put you as close to the deck as I can maybe right on it
Can't lay to uncounted as well
Hang on to the ladder until the boys on deck say to let go
I can tell more about the role of the ship than you can right?
Thank you
Thanks Larry
Larry right
Oh my goshsell
Right
Oh
I'm okay captain close shave another foot. You'd been over the Sun
You wouldn't have had the devil's own chance of finding him captain. Let's not worry about what might have happened. Where's the patient?
Grb4 calling ms. Palermo cgrb4 calling ms. Palermo come in Palermo
It looks like we're out of luck dr. Gillespie. I guess you're not gonna answer
Confirm they got to answer. How do I know what Kildare is doing out there if they won't answer?
That could be dr. Kildare's idea. Oh Parker shut up!
Well I don't see why you don't take Jimmy's advice and get some sleep. Lieutenant Dane said he landed okay so from now on it's up to him.
Mr. Frazier you don't know dr. Gillespie. He simply has to have his nose and everything.
Parker for the last time. ms. Palermo standing by for cgrb4. Go ahead cg.
There they are. Palermo we'd like to speak with dr. Kildare if we could.
Sorry dr. Kildare is still not available. Not available? Well why isn't he available?
I don't know sir. Confound it. You tell him that dr. Gillespie wants to talk to him immediately.
I've given him all eight of your messages sir. He said he'd answer them tomorrow.
Tomorrow? By the great horn spoon. Would you care to send another message?
Yes. Tell him to go to Blazers. To Blazers? Is that B as in Boston? L as in?
Yes L as in Lunkhead and you go to Blazers too. Yes sir.
Palermo that's all. Stand by. Roger. Dr. Gillespie I still think you ought to go to bed and forget about it until morning.
I'll do no such thing. I'll report this to the FCC, the RFC, the maritime commission.
I'll report it to congress. Young minkin poop.
I take it that you don't have a very high opinion of Kildare's abilities is that it?
Ridiculous. He's the best doctor in the country. Next to me of course.
Then why don't you relax? I told you Mr. Frazier. Dr. Gillespie's just a born snoop and there's nothing anybody can do about it.
Parker so help me. When the helicopter gets back I'm going to have him go out again and drop you.
Oh I'd love to help. 100 miles from the nearest ship.
That just about does it. How's his pulse Captain Douglas? Still steady Dr. Kildare.
Good. Well you can relax and clean up now Steve. We're through.
Alright sir. There we are. Nice job of hem stitching doctor. You'd have made a good sail maker in the old days.
Not on a ship that rolls as much as this one. That's the worst ground swell I've ever been in.
At least in this part of the Atlantic. How about the boy here? Will he pull through?
Yes Captain. We got it in time. Barely in time as a matter of fact.
I'll stay with him until he comes out from under the anesthetic.
What about all these messages from this Dr. Gillespie? You want me to contact the shore station now?
Oh I don't think there's any need to. I don't know though. I don't get an opportunity like this once in months.
Sure. Let's go in the radio room and give him a call. Alright sir.
Oh Captain if you don't mind watching him a few minutes I'll be right back. Take your time doctor.
I left the transmitter on so it's already warmed up. Good.
MS Palermo calling CGRB 4 New York. MS Palermo calling CGRB 4. Come in RB 4.
Dr. Kildare I'm sorry I had to back out of doing that operation. I just couldn't.
Forget it Steve.
And then when you trusted me to take care...
This is CGRB 4 New York standing by. Go ahead Palermo.
Dr. Kildare is calling Dr. Gillespie. Is he there?
Am I here? Kildare you listen to me.
Why Dr. Gillespie I thought you'd be in bed hours ago.
Never mind. Just tell me what happened.
Happened? Oh well for one thing I bruised my elbow when I landed on the deck.
I'll let you take a look at it when I get back.
I don't want to look at your confounded elbow. What about the operation?
Oh that. Well it was quite a complicated case. Very interesting in fact.
Yeah well go on.
Oh much too complicated to go into tonight.
Kildare!
I'll tell you all about it when we reach port. A day after tomorrow.
Aye Tom thank you.
Good night doctor.
Okay that's all Steve.
MS Palermo signing off. Good night.
Kildare!
I'll bet he's pulling his hair out.
Unfounded Parker. Not only does he waste two days lolling around a ship.
But now he has to be the last one down the gang plane.
Oh just relax Dr. Gillespie.
Relax? They brought the patient down here to the ambulance five minutes ago.
So what's keeping Kildare?
He knows what he's doing.
Oh well I'll tell you what.
I'm going to get him.
Oh well I'll tell you what.
I'm going to get him.
He'll be here in his own sweet time.
I don't care if he never gets here.
Parker I'm through with him.
Finally, absolutely and for the last time I'm through with him.
Through with whom Dr. Gillespie?
Kildare where did you come from?
The other gang plank.
Ah you're looking very well doctor.
Thank you. Thank you very much. And so are you.
Thank you.
A pleasant voyage I trust.
Oh yes. Yes very pleasant.
Well back to work.
Yeah what a pity.
Oh I guess there isn't room for all of us to ride over in the ambulance.
So when would you go ahead Dr. Gillespie?
Parker and I will get a taxi.
No you don't. No you don't.
Well what's wrong with that Dr. Gillespie?
Parker you get in that ambulance and shut up.
Don't say another word. You hear me?
Well.
Come on Jimmy. Come on. You'll take the taxi.
Anything you say doctor.
All right Jimmy. I had it coming.
And I've learned my lesson.
Oh now stop kidding me. You'll be butting in on my cases again within 24 hours and you know it.
Well I...
Well anyway.
This one turned out all right.
Jimmy we did it again.
We did it again?
Why yes. I...
You?
Well all right. Confounded. You did it again.
You know something Dr. Gillespie.
I went out there alone. That's true enough.
But I took something along with me.
Ah.
Yes. I took thousands of hours of experience.
Working with you. Watching you. And learning from you.
So you were right the first time. We did do it.
Taxi.
In just a moment we will return to the story of Dr. Kildare.
Now once again the story of Dr. Kildare.
Starring Lou Ayres as Dr. Kildare.
And Lionel Barrymore as Dr. Gillespie.
Oh Jimmy come on in.
Oh morning Dr. Gillespie.
Say I was wondering if I could borrow Parker for about an hour.
Oh sure why not.
Is that all right with you Parker?
Oh of course Dr. Kildare.
Special assignment.
Oh I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
Of course Dr. Kildare.
Special assignment of some kind Jimmy?
Oh no no. Just routine.
Couple of new patients in for diagnosis.
Parker we may as well go now if you're free.
New patients huh?
What seems to be wrong with them?
Oh I think it's just a check up. Nothing unusual.
You know Jimmy it might be a good idea if I want a long view.
Oh well thanks Dr. Gillespie but...
I might possibly notice something you wouldn't.
I see.
Parker isn't that a roll of two inch adhesive tape there on the table?
Why yes it is.
Tear off about 18 inches will you?
All right Dr. Kildare.
Dr. Gillespie I think the time has come for a drastic lesson.
Drastic lesson?
What do you mean Jimmy?
You are Dr. Kildare.
Thanks Parker.
Now just lean back in your chair doctor.
I want to show you something.
Show me something?
That's right.
Now close your mouth a second.
There.
Oh my God.
Dr. Kildare.
You've covered his mouth all over in case his hands are in the back of the chair.
Don't worry it'll do him good.
Now you sit there Dr. Gillespie and repeat 100 times mentally quote, I will not poke my
nose into other people's cases unquote.
We'll be back in about an hour.
Come on Parker.
You have just heard the story of Dr. Kildare starring Lou Ayers and Lionel Barrymore.
This program was written by Les Crutchfield and directed by William P. Russo.
Original music was composed and conducted by Walter Schumann.
Supporting cast included Virginia Gregg, Raymond Burr, Herb Ellis, Jack Crouchon and Jack Webb.
Dick Joy speaking.
Music.