Why Do You Want To Be A Doctor?

Why Do You Want To Be A Doctor?

If you were playing a game of charades 'Doctor In The House' is one of those titles that could be confusing, as it's both a book by Richard Gordon, a film and a TV series. The 'Doctor...' films (including 'Doctor In Distress' from 1963, which is an amusing title for those who remember a certain protest song from 1985) ran until 1970's 'Doctor In Trouble' by which time Leslie Phillips had taken the lead role instead of Dirk Bogarde.

But 12th July 1969 saw the transmission of John Cleese and Graham Chapman's episode 'Why Do You Want To Be A Doctor?' which launched the TV version. The situation was familiar, only the names had been changed with Barry Evans starring as Michael Upton (who just happened to share a name with a friend of the writers).

The first half of the episode sees young Upton going for an interview at St. Swithin's hospital. We are on slightly fuzzy OB here (the actual location is Wanstead hospital) and there's a tradition that the weather on St. Swithin's Day (15th July) will remain unchanged for 40 days. Which given the weather over here, doesn't seem that likely to me.

It may not be raining, but the camera crew are certainly suffering with the wind. Barry Evan's tie is flailing about wildly and Peter Bathurst as his father is suffering from flyaway hair. It's amusing that Upton Senior seems to be the more nervous of the two, though Michael's sight of what is apparently a body being wheeled out of the hospital cannot do much to set his mind at rest.

There's also a green telephone box in the background which is mildly interesting if you like that sort of thing.

Waiting to be interviewed, Upton sits next to two characters who are simply credited as Smoothie and Nervous Boy (hello there a young Mike Grady) and runs through his over-prepared answers in his head.

But we have little time for hanging about and soon we find ourselves before the intimidating interview board. Ernest Clark makes an instant impression as Professor Loftus who is hardly impressed with Michael mentioning that he used to be a Redcoat at Butlin's.

Asked what he is currently reading, Upton's reply is 'The Private Eye Book Of Boobs' which is more concerned with misprints than anatomy.

There's some accomplished face-pulling from Ralph Michael (Balaton in 'Doctor Who : The Pirate Planet') as the Dean who is more interested in Upton's prowess on the rugby field.

Somehow we reach the end of the interview process and much to Upton's astonishment it ends with the Dean saying "see you in September"... Even the cameraman seems a little shellshocked as there's a bit of a problem getting our hero into sharp focus.

But yes, it looks like he'll be back for Part Two of the episode, at least!

We open Part Two with a visit to the lecture room set, which allows for some high shots and we get to meet more regulars in the form of Robin Nedwell (as Duncan Waring glimpsed briefly in Part One having apparently just had his interview), George Layton (as Paul Collier) and a well-dressed Geoffrey Davies (Dick Stuart-Clark, another name close to Cleese & Chapman) who is now in his fifth year as a First-Year Student.

There are assorted other extras who look like they belong on the jury at 'Crown Court'...

Enter the Dean and Professor Loftus for an introductory spiel - St Swithin's was apparently founded circa 1560 to deal with "a severe outbreak of venereal disease which followed closely on the discovery of America"... The Dean's address is delivered in a droning, uninterested tone suggesting that he's on complete autopilot, only coming alive when the subject of rugby comes up.

The Dean then makes a rapid exit, leaving Loftus to lay down the law. Anyone slouching about with their hands in their pockets will soon find themselves in his bad books!

Upton and Wearing are sent to see Stebbing in the Preparation Room who has an arm for them to dissect. As arms go it won't win any awards for realism but this is comedy not documentary.

After being deliberately misdirected by George Layton and upsetting Totti Truman Taylor and her patients, our boys find themselves locked outside. Given Graham Chapman's medical training, I do wonder whether this particular incident was based on real life...

A policeman looms into view and wants to know what they're trying to conceal. Time for a comedy basic as he faints and falls backwards, allowing them to leg it. This is more OB stuff with fairly grotty picture quality, but there you go.

We cut to the bar, where some proper pint glasses are in evidence and we close on Barry Evans in relaxed mood downing the first of many ales to feature on this series.

It's a well-structured script that flies by. Next week Graeme Garden & Bill Oddie take over the writing duties, though Graham Chapman will return later in the season teamed up with Barry Cryer.
A basic test of any first episode is whether you want to spend more time with the characters you've just met and 'Why Do You Want To Be A Doctor?' passes that with flying colours.

And a little bit of background reading (well, the write-up inside the DVD sleeve, if we're being honest!) told me that Episode Three ('It's All Go...') boasts some strong cider making an important contribution to the plot, so I was sold right away!

Good health!

(By Andrew Trowbridge)