Calling Dr. Kildare

Calling Dr. Kildare

Year: 1939

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: English

Director: Harold S. Bucquet

Drama

After a heated clash with his protégé, the irascible Dr. Gillespie sends Jimmy Kildare to a street clinic as a lesson. There Kildare meets nurse Mary Lamont and treats a gun‑shot wound of a local hoodlum. By refusing to file the report he lands in trouble, prompting Dr. Gillespie to rescue him.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Calling Dr. Kildare yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Calling Dr. Kildare (1939)

Trace every key event in Calling Dr. Kildare (1939) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Gillespie fires Kildare over a disputed case

Dr. Leonard Gillespie and intern James Kildare clash over a suspected Q fever case, exposing a rift in their approaches to diagnosis and ethics. Frustrated, Gillespie fires Kildare and has him reassigned to a neighborhood dispensary, where nurse Mary Lamont will shadow him and head nurse Molly Byrd will 'stooge' on his every move.

Day of the dispute Blair General Hospital
2

Kildare starts at a neighborhood dispensary

On the day he starts at the dispensary, Kildare must adjust to a less formal medical environment and the different dynamics of a neighborhood clinic. He works alongside Mary Lamont and grapples with the idea that healing under different rules may still be medicine.

Morning Neighborhood dispensary
3

Red asks for help for an injured friend

Red confidentially asks Kildare to help his injured friend Nick Lewett, pulling the intern into a case that lies outside standard dispensary duties. The request signals trouble ahead as Kildare steps toward a potentially dangerous situation.

Day Neighborhood dispensary
4

Nick Lewett is found with a gunshot wound

Kildare follows Red to a cellar hideout and discovers Nick Lewett is wounded by a gunshot. Rosalie, Nick's sister, pleads with him not to send Nick to Blair General, complicating the decision with legal and ethical implications.

Evening Cellar hideout
5

Kildare stays with Nick against procedures

Despite hospital procedure and gunshot reporting laws, Kildare continues to treat Nick at the hideout. He remains convinced of Nick's innocence and chooses loyalty over protocol, deepening his conflict with the hospital system.

Evening Cellar hideout
6

Kildare falls for Rosalie; Gillespie's leverage via Mary

Kildare becomes smitten with Rosalie, and he confides to Mary that she has been reporting back to Gillespie. Gillespie uses Mary's obvious admiration for Kildare to gauge his actions and warn him about risking murder charges.

Evening Neighborhood dispensary
7

Gillespie warns and pressures Kildare to reveal Nick's whereabouts

Gillespie presses Kildare to disclose Nick's location, arguing that ignorance could implicate him as an accessory to murder. Kildare refuses, convinced of Nick's innocence and intent on protecting him.

Night Blair General Hospital
8

Home call leads to arrest and suspension

Gillespie arranges for Kildare's mother to call him home to assist his physician father, but upon returning he and Nick are picked up by the police. The intern is suspended from hospital staff, intensifying his resolve to prove Nick's innocence.

Return from home Kildare's home; Blair General Hospital
9

Kildare learns Nick's motive and confronts Crandell

Nick reveals that he went to Garson after Tom Crandell accused him of maligning Rosalie, prompting Kildare to confront Crandell. With ambulance driver Joe Wayman and a persuasive monkey wrench, Kildare coerces Crandell into admitting his guilt in Garson's death and Nick's shooting.

After Nick's revelation City streets / Crandell's vicinity
10

Crandell confesses; Nick is exonerated

Crandell confesses to killing Garson and shooting Nick, clearing Nick of the charges. Gillespie then visits Rosalie and deduces she was Crandell's girlfriend, adding another layer to the case.

Climax Crandell's vicinity; Rosalie's location
11

Rosalie confesses motive to Kildare

Rosalie admits to Kildare that her sole aim was to save her brother, not to break up Kildare's career. The admission helps Kildare reframe his view of the case and Rosalie's actions.

After Crandell confession Rosalie's home
12

Gillespie reveals his role in Nick's arrest

Gillespie confesses to Kildare that he arranged Nick's arrest as part of a larger plan to test the intern's resolve. Kildare nearly spoiled the plan by returning from home, but the truth finally comes to light.

After Rosalie's confession Hospital office
13

Kildare resumes as Gillespie's assistant

With the case resolved, Kildare resumes working as Dr. Gillespie's assistant. He begins to see Nurse Mary Lamont in a more favorable light, recognizing her role in uncovering the truth.

Ending Blair General Hospital

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:08

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Calling Dr. Kildare

Don't stop at just watching — explore Calling Dr. Kildare in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Calling Dr. Kildare is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Calling Dr. Kildare Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Calling Dr. Kildare, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Calling Dr. Kildare Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Calling Dr. Kildare

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Calling Dr. Kildare. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Calling Dr. Kildare

More About Calling Dr. Kildare

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Calling Dr. Kildare: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Calling Dr. Kildare

Similar Movies to Calling Dr. Kildare

Discover movies like Calling Dr. Kildare that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.