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Doctor at Large

Name: Doctor at Large
Director: Ralph Thomas
Released: 1957
Duration: 104 min

Representation Score

2.7/10

Limited

1957

Director

Ralph Thomas

Runtime

104 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Doctor at Large is a classic 1950s British farce that upholds the social and cultural norms of its time. The film is a light-hearted comedy that reinforces traditional hierarchies rather than challenging them. The narrative lacks diverse representation, focusing on a male protagonist's career progression and using female characters primarily for romantic or comedic purposes. The cast is predominantly white, lacking racial or ethnic diversity. Overall, the film adheres to the conventions of its era, avoiding disruption of existing power dynamics and presenting a stable, Anglo-centric view of professional and social institutions.

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Category Breakdown

Does Doctor at Large have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not depict any non-cisgender identities or same-sex relationships, sticking to traditional heterosexual pairings.

How does Doctor at Large portray gender?

Limited

Women in the film mainly serve as romantic interests or supporting roles, while the story focuses on a man's career advancement typical of mid-century patriarchal norms.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Doctor at Large?

Minimal

The cast is predominantly white, with no visible racial or ethnic diversity in the British medical setting.

How does Doctor at Large represent religion and culture?

Limited

The story upholds traditional Western norms and the British class system, presenting medical and social orders as stable and conventional.

Does Doctor at Large include disability representation?

Limited

Disability is not a main theme, and the medical setting is used for comedic purposes without exploring physical or cognitive differences.

Present on Screen

Offers a clear, lighthearted glimpse into mid-century British medical professional life.

Limited or Absent

Does not include racial or ethnic diversity among the cast.
Reinforces traditional gender hierarchies and patriarchal structures.
Does not represent LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisgender experiences.
Does not explore disability through characters with ability to act.

Official Synopsis

Losing out to Dr. Bingham (Michael Medwin) in a competition for house surgeon when he offends a member of the board, young Dr. Simon Sparrow (Dirk Bogarde) finds himself going from post to post, filling in for other physicians. At one distant country post, he is taken aback when he works with a patient whose husband died after Simon treated the man years before. In another hospital, Simon examines a surprisingly mature teen and also tries courting devoted nurse Nan McPherson (Shirley Eaton).

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