Review of Doctor At Sea

Introduction

When the Doctor movies came up for review, I was hoping to watch Doctor In The House, if only to wheel out a creaky Yazz and the Plastic Population gag. Perhaps it`s better for all concerned then, that I got Doctor at Sea to review. Ah yes, those were the days, when Britain had a thriving film industry, and domestic audiences flocked to watch home grown films of all genres. The Doctor films were a series of popular comedies starring Dirk Bogarde that were just a little ribald, before the Carry On series further ploughed that particular furrow.

Doctor At Sea sees the titular Doctor setting sail to escape the amorous clutches of Wendy, the daughter of the senior Doctor in his practice. Wishing to prolong his Batchelor state, Simon Sparrow signs on as ship`s Doctor to the Merchant Navy Vessel S.S. Lotus under Captain Wentworth Hogg. As a landlubber, he finds it difficult adapting to life on the ocean wave, but the absence of female temptation is worth the discomfort. But this idyll is shattered when the Lotus makes port and finds the daughter of the Chairman, Miss Mallet and her attractive friend, Helene Colbert imposing their unwanted presences on the resistant Captain, hoping for a ride home.

Video

Carlton has done a wonderful job restoring the picture of Doctor at Sea. The image is clear and sharp with hardly any sign of print damage. For a film made in 1955, Doctor At Sea looks almost pristine. The 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer shows of the restoration to best effect. At times the flesh tones seem a little smeared, but I feel that is indicative of the original film rather than the transfer. The only negative issue I noticed was that in a couple of scenes that film seemed to flicker in intensity, other than that this is a remarkably colourful transfer. Of personal interest was the glimpse of London`s docklands when they were worthy of the name, still open to shipping back in the fifties.

Audio

The sound is a simple DD2.0 mono track. The dialogue is perfectly clear, which is the best that you could ask for a comedy of this era. The music is perfectly suited to the nautical comedic tone of the film.

Features

Animated menu… check, HOH Subtitles… check, Theatrical Trailer… check. Minimal DVD requirements satisfied.

Conclusion

I have been spoiled by years and years of cinema comedy. From the Carry Ons to American Pie, with sojourns into the underworld of the Police Academy films and Naked Guns to films like Bowfinger and Ghostbusters, I guess what I`m saying is that I`ve come to have certain expectations of comedy films. When those expectations aren`t met, I`m usually dismissive of that film. I`m afraid to say the Doctor At Sea didn`t push any buttons for me; however dismissing this film would be unfair.

While I wasn`t laughing during this film, I found that it kept me bubbling with a certain level of merriment for 90 minutes. Rather than hitting with punchline after gag after pratfall, as many comedies are structured, Doctor At Sea explores the humour in the situations that the characters find themselves in, and the absurdities of the characters themselves. I could best categorise this as a 90-minute sitcom. Simon Sparrow goes from situation to situation a little nonplussed and the humour develops around him.

Dirk Bogarde established the character of Simon Sparrow and his portrayal as the suave but out of his depth Doctor is very good. But as I said, the humour comes from the characters around him, and Maurice Denham as the unscrupulous steward Easter is a particular delight. But for me, the star of the Doctor movies has to be James Robertson Justice. Here he is the overbearing and belligerent Captain Wentworth Hogg, and he is a delight to watch as he bellows and barks his way through this film. The imposing figure of Justice is always associated with authority figures, the neatly trimmed beard and resonant voice always belie a boyish twinkle and mischievousness that promise all manner of shenanigans in his performances. Brigitte Bardot makes an appearance as Bogarde`s love interest, Helene and is the obligatory sex siren in her first British role.

Doctor at Sea is a little tame as a comedy for the year 2002, there are the usual seasickness jokes and the use of a foghorn as a censorship device. It`s all wonderfully non-PC in a way that would never be tolerated in this day and age. I also found that the movie just finished rather than coming to any satisfactory climax, but if you can handle the sedentary pace and the gentle humour, than this film is worth a moment of your time, especially considering the sterling job Carlton have done at restoration.