The Courageous Dr. Christian

(1940)

65 minutes.

Medical Drama

Directed by Bernard Vorhaus

Cast: Jean Hersholt and Dorothy Lovett

This is one of six films made by RKO starring the fine character actor, Jean Hersholt, based on the "Dr. Christian" radio series in 1937 on NBC radio that lasted for 16 years. Dr. Christian, a kindly, gentle, wise, small-town physician who ministers to ailments physical and emotional, has a practice in a small Minnesota town. The film has to do with "Squatter's Town", the poor section of town where the sanitation stinks and life is relatively cheap. The rest of the town is rather indifferent to their plight, as they are seen as deserving of their lifestyle. However, instead of just accepting this, Dr. Christian decides to try to save some of the folks, including Dave Williams and the two kids he's caring for in a condemned shack. He arranges for a nice home for the children and takes Dave into his own home. But Dr. Christian doesn't stop there, as he then crusades for a new housing project to take the place of the squalor. The town, however, isn't particularly concerned and are rather antagonistic to the idea. Dr. Christian has his hands full when an epidemic strikes the poor folks, unti the townspeople begin to change their minds, and become part of the solution.