House Calls

Charley Nichols, a respected doctor and newly widowed, returns to Los Angeles after a tropical vacation and a period of mourning. Almost immediately, he is propositioned by several women, signaling a potential shift in his personal life. This setup foreshadows romantic temptations that may complicate his professional obligations.

The hospital is run by senile chief of staff Dr. Amos Willoughby, whose incompetence is evident in everyday care. Willoughby treats Ann Atkinson’s fractured jaw with a primitive contraption, highlighting the outdated practices still in use. Charley frees Ann from the device, angering Willoughby who accuses him of stealing a patient.

Charley and his colleague Dr. Norman Solomon conclude that something must be done about Willoughby’s mismanagement. Because Willoughby seems to hold sway over Charley, he reluctantly agrees to nominate Willoughby for one more term as hospital chief, hoping to placate the older man and avoid a direct confrontation.

Ann, a divorced woman who bakes delicious cheesecake, attracts Charley’s interest. He helps her land a job at the hospital, and they agree to a trial period of a few weeks to see if they can make their relationship work. The arrangement blends professional and personal stakes, complicating Charley’s decisions.

A botched diagnosis at the hospital leads to the death of a wealthy baseball team owner, triggering Ellen Grady’s plan to sue for millions. She openly distrusts the medical staff, insisting that nothing at the hospital is practiced correctly. The looming legal action intensifies the pressure on Charley and his colleagues.

Charley tries to charm Ellen Grady; they discover a common background that sparks initial interest. However, she remains determined to pursue the lawsuit rather than dropping it. The encounter adds a personal complication to the hospital’s professional crisis.

Charley neglects a date with Ann and shows up late with a poor excuse. In retaliation, Ann angrily hides Charley’s clothes while he showers, a symbolic rebuke of his divided loyalties. The incident highlights the conflict between his clinical duties and his private life.

Ann urges Charley to show backbone and refuse to nominate Willoughby for chief. He goes ahead with the nomination anyway, defying her wishes and deepening the rift between them. Willoughby’s grip on the hospital—together with Charley’s indecision—drives the central tension.

Willoughby reneges on a promise to stop personally treating patients, leaving Charley unable to remove him from influence. Charley then takes back his nomination, signaling a power shift back toward Willoughby’s authority. The ideal of reform in the hospital is postponed as the struggle intensifies.

Charley does his best to win back Ann as well, balancing professional duty with his desire for a personal connection. The effort to repair their relationship runs parallel to the hospital power struggle. The reconciliation remains uncertain as old loyalties hold firm.

The incident with Willoughby and the looming lawsuit keep the hospital's credibility in question, while Ellen Grady presses forward with her case. Charley faces mounting pressure from both the legal arena and his colleagues as he tries to navigate the crisis. The stakes are raised on multiple fronts.

The summary ends with Charley’s ongoing attempt to win back Ann, suggesting that his personal happiness remains unresolved. He must navigate the demands of his career, the ward's dysfunction, and the civil case against the hospital. The story leaves him at a crossroads, balancing duty and desire.