You are here:

Calling Dr. Death

Name: Calling Dr. Death
Director: Reginald Le Borg
Released: 1943
Duration: 63 min

Representation Score

1.8/10

Minimal

1943

Approved

Director

Reginald Le Borg

Runtime

63 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Calling Dr. Death is a conventional genre piece that upholds the social and demographic norms of the 1940s. It functions as a mystery-horror thriller that relies on familiar formulas rather than challenging them. The film lacks complexity in representing diverse identities, focusing instead on individual psychological suspense. The narrative adheres to the era's standard social and ethical norms, offering limited progressive representation. Ultimately, the work reflects the historical context of its production, maintaining a homogeneous and traditional perspective on gender, race, and social order.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does Calling Dr. Death have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any non-binary or LGBTQ+ identities. The romantic relationship revolves around a traditional heterosexual pairing between the main character and his nurse.

How does Calling Dr. Death portray gender?

Limited

Stella, the female lead, plays a significant role in driving the story through her hypnosis skills. However, the central conflict is mainly driven by the male protagonist's psychological issues and marital problems.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Calling Dr. Death?

Minimal

The production features a homogeneous cast typical of 1940s Hollywood, reflecting the era's Anglo-centric social environment.

How does Calling Dr. Death represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story follows traditional Western moral standards, focusing on individual psychological crises rather than critiquing broader societal issues.

Does Calling Dr. Death include disability representation?

Limited

Themes of memory loss and psychological trauma are used primarily as plot devices to drive the thriller elements, rather than exploring the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities.

Present on Screen

The female lead, Stella, plays a significant role in driving the story through her hypnosis skills.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or narratives.
The casting reflects a homogeneous, Anglo-centric social environment typical of the 1940s.
Psychological impairments are used as plot devices rather than nuanced explorations of disability.
The narrative reinforces traditional gender hierarchies and mid-century social norms.

Official Synopsis

Losing his memories of the last few days, neurologist Dr. Steele is told that his wife has been brutally murdered. Steele, aware of his conniving wife's infidelity, believes he may have been the killer and enlists the aid of his pretty nurse Stella to hypnotize him into recovering his lost memories.

How are these scores produced? →