The Mad Doctor [A Date with Destiny] *** (1940, Basil Rathbone, Ellen Drew, John Howard, Barbara Jo Allen, Ralph Morgan, Martin Kosleck, Kitty Kelly) – Classic Movie Review 5535

Basil Rathbone stars as mad doctor George Sebastian, who marries rich women and then, assisted by a crazy accomplice (Martin Kosleck), bumps them off to inherit their wealth. That is, until an old flame of his latest would-be victim comes along.

Rathbone is a classy act in smooth villainy in director Tim Whelan’s stylish little Paramount Pictures 1940 Bluebeard-type thriller that develops its intriguing themes with some flair in the screenplay by writer Howard J Green.

Also in the cast are Ellen Drew, John Howard, Barbara Jo Allen [Vera Vague], Ralph Morgan, Kitty Kelly, Hugh O’Connell, Hugh Sothern, George Chandler, William ‘Billy’ Benedict, Edward Earle, Harry Hayden, Douglas Kennedy, John Laird, Charles McAvoy, Wanda McKay, Howard M Mitchell, Ruth Rogers, Sheila Ryan, James Seay, Norma Varden, Henry Victor and Max Wagner.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5535

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