Picture Show – May 2nd 1959
THE DOCTOR’S DILEMMA
(Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) • When George Bernard Shaw wrote this play in 1906, it was hailed as a brilliant satire on London society at the turn of the century. Judging from the film, London society at that time was no different from general society to-day; and it is presented in a manner in which the biting wit still holds true.
It offers Leslie Caron her greatest challenge as an actress, since the role was written and has before been played by actresses getting on towards middle age. In “Gigi” she was an adorable little hoyden whom we saw mature. In “The Doctor’s Dilemma” she is mature when the play begins, with enough moral strength to support her husband, a charming rogue of an artist, as well as herself.
As Jennifer Dubedat she plays the artist’s wife with femininity and uses her wiles to catch a doctor in the hope of curing her tuberculous husband without having to pay any money, as the pair are penniless.
Dirk Bogarde gives a very good performance as Louis Dubedat, a young artist who laughs at death, debt and the doctors Jennifer brings to him, and who is one of those gay romancers who always leave disaster behind them for others.
Supporting these two stars is a superb cast of doctors Alastair Sim, Robert Morley, Felix Aylmer, John Robinson and Michael Gwynne. And if seeing them discussing the various ailments in which they specialise does not put you off going to the doctor for several days, I shall be surprised.
Leslie Caron’s gowns are beautifully styled by Cecil Beaton – he also dressed her for “Gigi” and the superb photography is in Eastman Color. The colour alone, I would add, makes this film worth seeing.
